Some online friends, frustrated over the lack of critique groups locally, were talking about forming an online novel critique group. And serendipitously, the following article pinged into my mailbox. http://writersdigest.com/articles/lamba_
I tried out a local writers' group last summer, but the problem was there were two poets, a non-fiction writer and several short story writers. And they really, really didn't want actual critique. People handed out copies of their stuff and other people pointed out a typo or the same word used twice in a paragraph. That's not critique, that's a circle jerk proofing. I suggested to someone that their 3rd paragraph was very good and should have been their lead. Well, you'd think I'd just told someone their baby was ugly. Dead silence and then slowly everyone said they thought it was just fine the way it was. Jeeze. Close ranks on me so the writer doesn't ever actually learn anything, whydoncha?
My RWA group has a critique group that meets after meetings. I think it's small and probably closed. Besides. I don't write traditional romances. I've written a gay romance and what's turning out to be an urban fantasy (Yeah, yeah, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
etui, you were right. You do know your genre.) Next up, hell if I know what it's going to be.
I was honoured to be asked to be part of the online group, but sadly, with the day job and the lack of energy, I don't have enough time to write my own stuff, let alone critique the work of others. I'd be happy to participate in the group with the "business of writing" like where to submit and the query letter. I'm still a newbie, but I seem to have a knack for this stuff. I'd have time to contribute that way, just not to critique several novels.
I've got several friends who've been beta-ing my fanfiction for years, and I intend to call on them when the novel's ready: tovalentin, etui, rentgal2, hauntfox, The Nightowl, and Muddy Bog come to mind immediately. Also, troutkitty volunteered. I have it in writing. Somewhere. And she gets to go first cuz she's great at the big picture, structural stuff.
But if anyone else is interested in an online crit group, post in the comments and maybe you can hook up. Can't hurt, right?
- Location:Toronto
Profile
- storm_grant
- storm_grant
- storm grant, author
Comments
I haven't had to gumption to attempt much in the way of whole novel critique. First, I worry about my attention span -- my brain and I don't always agree about the amount of attention that shiny thing in the corner really merits. Second, I'm still working on getting up guts to revise my own novels. However, I've offered a lot of first chapter advise. I like working on short stories because I can usually keep my ass in my chair long enough to get through it, get interested, and get it reviewed.
One big trick that a lot of groups seem to miss (or at least a lot of writers don't think about) is being honest up front about what you want and what you can take in a critique. There's nothing wrong, in my opinion, with asking someone to be gentle with your brand new baby story, or even asking someone to shore up your fragile ego with only positive comments if that's what you need (and you're being honest with yourself about it). If you want someone to tear your ms up, tell them what about it has you wondering and where you feel shaky. If you give a reviewer something solid to start with, you are likely to get a better critique instead of one that will either rip your guts out or be tossed into the trash as useless.
I've been really lucky to have a couple of very generous friends read for me. Their advice and questions have helped me through blocks, and have encouraged me to keep writing (or told me to stop that nonsense and write something else, dammit!) Good luck finding your own group. They exist, but, good gravy on a pogo stick, they can be hard to find.
Now, I wonder who that would be...or am I thinking to highly of us? lol
*bows*
Why, thank ye! We aim to please.
But, really, we have been very lucky with the members applying recently. It's a very good group right now. We've had "low moments", but now is definitely not one of them. And it's all because of people like you joining in, participating, and making the group what you want it to be. It's hard work to keep it up, but you all make it worth it. :)
And I thought you didn't have time to take part in another critique group. What changed your mind?
I said I didn't have time to beta a bunch of novels, but that I'd help out with the business of writing stuff like query letters and where to submit and stuff.
I'm an organizer; I organize. ;-)
Actually, I've created a community space, at www.probablepossible.com/story/
There is a forum, with a (somewhat primitive) blogging setup. Each member automatically has their own blog. There are some nice folks on it already, if anyone is interested, all of whom are writing erotica -- as well as other things.
If that doesn't work, we can always be nomads and head off elsewhere, but for purposes of setting it up, let's start with my yahoogroup, hereinafter to be known as Comma Sutra. ;-)
And we offer other fun activities for those who need a push to do actual writing and whatnot. ;)
Members are currently a mix of published and unpublished, editors and non-editors, and experience levels. We have a stable core group that has been with us for a year or more (quite a few in the or more category), and none of them give "pat on the back/proofing only" crits. It's a pretty good group...I'm quite honored to be one of their Admins. :)
As a final note: we accept ALL writing in our group--all genres, short, long, novels, poetry; etc. And we've been lucky to have at least one or two people who work most lengths. Adult and erotica doesn't phase us.
Edited at 2008-02-06 12:52 am (UTC)
- I tend to give harsh crit (and expect the same). I do always do my best to ensure it's constructive, but frankly I'd always much rather be told if something I create is a bit s***.
- amount and time. I already belong to a great RL group, who meet once a month. There's a through flow of about 15- 20,000 words a month, which I find doable. Much more than that and I get buried.
Thanks. :)
The critique group was all gung-ho initially, then sort of stuttered and fizzled. I'm pretty much for abandoning it.
Sorry,
Thanks ^_^
Sorry.