{"id":18373,"date":"2018-02-23T01:00:02","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T09:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=18373"},"modified":"2018-02-19T20:18:51","modified_gmt":"2018-02-20T04:18:51","slug":"novelists-dont-go-it-alone-try-a-critique-group-by-kaykeppler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/23\/novelists-dont-go-it-alone-try-a-critique-group-by-kaykeppler\/","title":{"rendered":"Novelists, Don’t Go It Alone: Try a Critique Group by @KayKeppler"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Reading<\/a>Let\u2019s\u00a0welcome\u00a0back monthly columnist, editor, and novelist,\u00a0Kay Keppler<\/a>, as she shares with us \u201cDon’t Go It Alone.\u201d\u00a0Enjoy!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Most people think of writing as a solitary occupation, and it is.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Writers work alone, staring down the terrors of the blank page.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s often hard to know if what you\u2019re writing is decent or dreck. Sometimes you might be too frozen to write at all. That\u2019s where community can help.<\/p>\n

Try a Critique Group<\/h2>\n

Critique groups can be an enormous help in helping you see what works and what doesn\u2019t. Members can point out passages that aren\u2019t logical or don\u2019t flow, where the pacing falls off or the characterizations go out of kilter. They can highlight grammar mistakes or syntax issues.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m in a critique group that I love<\/strong>. Three of us meet monthly usually to critique or sometimes to brainstorm. The meetings are productive and energizing, and the monthly meeting keeps us accountable, too. About my pages, one person usually says, \u201cIt needs more emotion! I want to know how she feels!\u201d And the other says, \u201cThis part just doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

I love it when that happens.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But Exercise Caution<\/h3>\n

Alas, not all critique groups are created equal. Michael Hauge<\/a> divides critique groups into four basic categories. <\/strong><\/p>\n

They help you:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Use any excuse not to write,\u00a0<\/strong>which gets you out of the house, but has no effect on your writing or productivity
\n2. Feel good,\u00a0<\/strong>which bolsters your spirits and avoids hurt feelings, but prevents you from facing your weaknesses and improving your craft
\n3. Suffer criticism early and often from members who are clueless about story,\u00a0<\/strong>which strokes participants\u2019 egos by suggesting changes that are neither well-founded nor consistent with your vision for your story
\n4. Improve your writing
\n<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re in a critique group that falls into categories one to three, maybe it\u2019s time to get out. At the very least, it\u2019s time to steer it in a more productive direction. You need people who support and help you, not coddle you or tear you down.<\/p>\n

\n

What can the members of a critique group do to strengthen each other?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ask questions<\/h2>\n

Listen to your fellow authors<\/strong>. They have a vision for their projects. Find out what the vision is, then offer suggestions that will help them get to where they want to go.<\/p>\n

Ask them about their protagonists\u2014their goals, how they\u2019ll change. Ask about the setting and how it affects the characters. And so on.<\/p>\n

You should know these stories and characters almost as well as you know your own.<\/p>\n

Listen to the answers<\/h2>\n

Figure out what lies underneath the answer. Press the writers to explain their choices.<\/p>\n

Point out where the writer\u2019s vision and execution don\u2019t connect<\/h2>\n

Sometimes what you read in the selected pages might seem inconsistent with what the writers say they want to do. Clarify with the writer what the story goal is. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Perhaps some story elements diminish your emotional involvement or leave you confused, disbelieving, or bored.<\/p>\n

Members of the group should emphasize that they\u2019re reacting emotionally to the work, and say why.<\/p>\n

An emotional response to anything is always legitimate, whether the reader can explain it or not.<\/p>\n

After That, Offer Suggestions<\/h2>\n

When the group has listened to the writer\u2019s goals and vision, and pointed out their emotional reactions, they can help the writer brainstorm ways of addressing the issues. Work to improve the story and heighten its emotional impact. The idea is to search for the idea that the writer feels is best for the story she wants to tell.<\/p>\n

Be kind. Be open.<\/h2>\n

When you talk about another\u2019s work, be honest, but be kind<\/strong>. Think how the remarks would feel if they were directed at you.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re on the receiving end of a detailed critique, remember that truly hearing criticism isn\u2019t easy.<\/p>\n

Try to listen and respond with openness, trusting that those who offer their opinions want to help. Do your best not to be defensive, but be sure you understand the basis of their remarks.<\/p>\n

When you don\u2019t understand a comment, ask for an explanation. If you think someone missed something, say, \u201cI thought I addressed that issue when I wrote _______ . Do you know why that didn\u2019t work for you? Did anyone else in the group have the same reaction?\u201d<\/p>\n

Challenging every comment and suggestion is unproductive, but be sure you understand where people are coming from. Then lead the brainstorming.<\/p>\n

When you hear suggestions you don\u2019t like, say, \u201cThat change doesn\u2019t really work for me because _______. But what if I try_______ instead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep It Small<\/h2>\n

Keeping your group small means that each member:<\/strong><\/p>\n