5 Reasons to Join a Critique Group

My Critique Group at the SCBWI 2012 Summer Conference

We writers often forget that our writing is a form of communication, which by definition requires more than one person. We sit alone, pen in hand or fingers poised over keys, and travel through our imaginations writing down what we see. It’s only once the romp is over that we consider sharing our work with someone else. And then, often, it feels too personal, too intimate a thing to have another human being cut into our hearts and dissect it right before our eyes!

But, eventually, we come to the place where we are ready to venture forth, to reveal ourselves, to take the risk. Sometimes, it’s when we feel we’re ready for the next step of publication that finally spurs us out of our writing isolation and into the world of the critique.

If you stand at the edge with hesitation, consider these five reasons to take the plunge into joining a community of writers.

To learn from each other. Each member of the group will have their own particular skill sets. Their own strengths and weaknesses. Their own pet-peeves catch in your manuscript. A critique group will give you fresh eyes on your writing, strengthening your work exponentially.

To build professional contacts. Being in a critique group widens your sphere of associations. In any business, that break through moment doesn’t always come through what you know, but often, through who you know. One of your critique group members may be the person that connects you with an author friend of hers, whose agent knows just the publisher for your manuscript.

To sharpen your self-editing skills. By reading other’s work and listening to their critiques of your own work, you will build your writing and self-editing skills. A group will share craft books, take classes, go to conferences and workshops and bring back information that adds to the knowledge base of the group.

To receive support and encouragement. The writing must be done in isolation and so the rejections also come in isolation. With another group of writers, who know your strengths and weaknesses, you can share those discouraging rejection letters. They will help you put into perspective what you’ve been told. They can reveal to you the subjective comments that don’t really apply and can be thrown out, they can soften the blow of the truth that needs to be addressed and then help you to incorporate the information to improve your writing.

And finally, being in a critique group, you become a part of a small but wonderful community of artists dedicated to improving their craft, and through their words, making the world a better place.

If you’re ready to join a critique group after reading this post, check out my article…Joining a Critique Group? Five Questions You Should Ask, First! at ezinearticles.com http://ezinearticles.com/?Joining-a-Critique-Group?-Five-Questions-You-Should-Ask,-First!&id=7234069

 

3 thoughts on “5 Reasons to Join a Critique Group

  1. Hey, Kelly,

    One thing I’d point out about critique groups is that it’s important to be supportive of each other and also have some general guidelines for the group.

    I’ve been in groups where someone’s comments were so harsh the person receiving the critique vowed to never write again. When you have specific guidelines about how and what to critique or comment about, then this sort of thing is less likely to happen.

    All the best,

    1. Yes! Thanks, Suzanne, you just transitioned into my next posts perfectly!
      The next one will be on How to Start Your Own Critique Group, and then The Care and Feeding of a Healthy Critique Group!
      Excellent Point! Check back again for more info…
      Kelly

  2. All great points, Kelly. Especially regarding the value of a critique group for support and encouragement. Non-writing friends and family aren’t able to empathize as fully as other writers.They don’t understand today’s obstacles in the publishing world, but fellow writers do. Participating in a community of writers affords one not only the opportunity for professional growth, but also the added boost needed to persevere in the writing field.

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