What to Look for in a Critique Group

[@lisakaufman3029]

When James talked about being in a critique group where no one is getting where they want to be, I remembered two groups I was in because, over time, I noticed that everyone, but me, was happy just discussing the same pieces over and over again! The other day, I said to a writer/friend that I figured they were still together discussing the same work! Not only was it stagnating, I wasn't growing as a writer! BTW, I found one of my critique groups through my local public library like Jessica suggested!

[@liegeman717]

This has been a stumbling block for me. In my small town there is one writer’s group. The next closest one is over an hour away. The local group meets monthly but only critiques the monthly assigned writings which are always personal stories or poems based on assigned words or themes. They have no interest in reading novels or publishing. The other group supposedly meets once a month but no one has ever responded to my request for information. How safe would you feel in meeting an online group and putting your work out there? I have recently connected with a published writer who is interested in helping me with my writing. Hopefully it’s a new path forward. Thanks, James and Jessica for your continued output of information. It’s crazy, I’ve come to think that the writing is the easiest part of this journey. The hurtles come afterwards. Here’s wishing all writers success in their endeavors. May the force be with you!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

My other reply to another of your comments referred to this video, which I see now you've already watched! My apologies! I'm sorry to hear your local groups aren't panning out very well. Hopefully that writer you've reached out to is helpful and this is the start of a great relationship in the industry :) Online groups are super common these days, and you can find em through writing organizations and also just through social media. Often, there are groups broken down by genre, or stage of writing, or more if you need niche help. Hopefully you find the right group for you and they can help you with your query letter!

[@brigittegerlach]

Well. I'm but a newbie preparing the first of my books to crawl into the querying trenches. I have no critique group but are looking to build a slag one via E-Mail. I write Adult Mediaval Fantasy. And you? I lately suscribed to critique circle....but that would take ages to get the whole book through there. Shall we try to connect?

[@cashpat2000]

Got lucky when a speaker agreed to read one page post her workshop and dan-dan-dan we ended up as CPs. She was so brutal and so amazing ― changed how I read before I set out to re-draft. She'll love this video.

[@Ruthie888]

I follow a podcast, fiction writing made easy, and I signed up for her FB group. From there I just put it on her site that I was looking for a critique group. 3 people responded, the perfect amount! We do it on zoom. We are from Hawaii, Finland, midwest, and CA, very diverse, and Zoom works great! We start with compliments and then helpful thoughts, and we try not to be too prescriptive, although sometimes I love those comments. We've been going a year so far and it's working great!

[@ELIrwin-od5xo]

Hey guys, thanks, yeah Critique Groups are fantastic. I miss mine. Sadly, the group dissolved during Covid. But when we met they were such fun and excellent help.

[@maggiepfob]

I'm so glad you made a video on this subject. I don't know where I'd be without my CP group. I probably would have given up long ago. Not only do we support and cheer one another on, but we also trade beta-reading favors and boost one another's live and online promotions. I found mine via my county Arts Council. (Yes, writing IS an art!) My own local group meets in person, we include authors of all genres, as well as poets. At our semi-weekly meetings we read aloud from our current work and then offer input on everyone else's work. Having to think deeply about genres I was not really familiar with has really strengthened my creative muscles. (All the coffee we drink probably helps, too!)

[@maggiepfob]

PS: I wanted to hit "Like" so many times during this video!

[@MrDanroche]

I’ve tried joining a few, then received work for critique, where I wrote page after page of notes, helped with grammar, and generally took it seriously, only to receive one-line critiques of my own work, stating ‘I liked it.’

[@gwynnathawinna]

Here on youtube there is a livestreaming critique group called CGL that meets once a month. Glad to say it meets most of these points. :-) Definitely agree with most of this but wish there were more resources available to help build local (or interweb based) groups. There aren't nearly enough groups to meet the demand of current writing communities, and the ones that exist rarely meet expectations.

[@RumoHasIt]

I love for it when Jessica tells me to "Buckle Up!" Lmao

[@matthewmyatt5698]

If there's a major problem with my plot or characters, I'd rather the group just hit me with it rather than walk on eggshells and not adequately explain the problem. Even if it sucks to hear in the moment, it would suck more to get rejected for something that could have been fixed earlier.

[@angelawesneski5029]

This is a cool topic! I'm a lurking reader who likes to see behind the scenes, not a writer (yet). I attend a book club through Meetup and some of our attendees also attend writing groups through the app. Might be something to try if people are struggling to find a good group.

[@andrewverlaine]

Cool video! I live in Dublin, where I've done a few courses with the Irish Writers Centre. The taught content is good, but I also found it as a chance to meet beta readers/form critique groups afterwards.

[@marygeorge2467]

I've been in good writers groups - with writers who write very well - and not so good groups - with writers that offer their unrevised drafts for feedback. Writers groups aren't always a good thing. You can spend too much time trying to understand someone's story, while enduring the cringe-worthy dialogue. For the most part, it is difficult to find a writer or two on par, with good story inherent. You're lucky when you can find the right fit. A good developmental editor, however, is worth paying for, and far exceeds a writers group. Especially one who used to work for a literary agency or who has an impressive book list. They're out there!

[@brigittegerlach]

Well. I'm a newbie looking for beta readers or critique partners. I write Adult Mediaval Fantasy and am struck in the middle of the story I prepare to go to the agents. Mind you, I've got the third act nearly ready. Any one out there wanting to connect? Trying for an e-mail slag group? Oh and good luck to everybody. Live long and prosper.