tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post8897074727855566009..comments2024-03-23T04:19:04.366-04:00Comments on Are we there yet?: Is Your Critique Group Killing Your Story?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-59419519540566656862012-03-07T14:33:34.211-05:002012-03-07T14:33:34.211-05:00It's always fun on a blog hop. I get to meet o...It's always fun on a blog hop. I get to meet other writers and share experiences. Thanks for stopping by. New follower here. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-7251535100274026742012-03-07T12:17:44.335-05:002012-03-07T12:17:44.335-05:00meant to add, thanks for linking up with our write...meant to add, thanks for linking up with our writer weds hop!Sandra Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13191775335774130719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-36092938944229541962012-03-07T12:17:25.392-05:002012-03-07T12:17:25.392-05:00Having been a professor of writing for years, as ...Having been a professor of writing for years, as well as having participated in many a writing workshop, that group critique is invaluable. My biggest suggestion is to go with the concensus; if everyone is agreeing on one issue that needs to be addressed, as readers, then they just might be on target.Sandra Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13191775335774130719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-13910636160226445692012-03-06T22:19:38.742-05:002012-03-06T22:19:38.742-05:00I think there are some cases where people would do...I think there are some cases where people would do better with one on one, but in those situations you are only getting one person to one person feedback and you can get stuck in the whole "I'll give you good feedback if you give me good feedback" routine. Or in the opposite, it might happen in the "you insulted me so I'll be happy to insult you back" routine. <br /><br />I've never been in either situation, but I've heard about them! :)<br /><br />The group, in my opinion, is a better feedback system, but at least you get half one way and maybe half the other. If you get all to agree that you have work, then that is a good thing! Because then you absolutely know what to work on.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-72581700982262502792012-03-06T21:22:14.067-05:002012-03-06T21:22:14.067-05:00I have trouble with critique groups (or most group...I have trouble with critique groups (or most groups, for that matter) - I was not first in line when confidence was handed out and critique groups can be so tough. I am glad yours is working out well.E.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08362521696011839816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-83056847990395877842012-03-06T09:46:25.076-05:002012-03-06T09:46:25.076-05:00The reason I have stuck with short stories is beca...The reason I have stuck with short stories is because I lose my vision with longer pieces. :) Oh, how I wish it weren't the case. I've started two novels, and neither has gone past chapter 5.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-82765262081536737852012-03-06T09:35:16.666-05:002012-03-06T09:35:16.666-05:00I've only been part of a few critique groups, ...I've only been part of a few critique groups, but it is definitely a delicate balance, even when you have plenty of faith in your partners. You have to be willing (and able) to take an objective look at your own work to really use the advice of a group, but also have to hold onto the vision of your story that you started with. They're both such vital skills for a writer, and knowing when to apply one over the other is, I think, one of the harder bits of this business to learn. :)Amyhttp://amybai.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-85522434532098246432012-03-06T07:03:51.525-05:002012-03-06T07:03:51.525-05:00I bet you have some good horror stories? :)I bet you have some good horror stories? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-75391850869572394762012-03-06T06:34:59.566-05:002012-03-06T06:34:59.566-05:00I've experienced both good and bad critique gr...I've experienced both good and bad critique groups. The group I'm currently in is wonderful.Rena J. Traxelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07950062537755234879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-3809481735099392262012-03-05T10:59:46.284-05:002012-03-05T10:59:46.284-05:00I know right? Can you imagine a group of surgeons,...I know right? Can you imagine a group of surgeons, one is performing surgery on your back, knife in hand, and two other surgeons make a suggestion on the cut? If the surgeon holding the knife has doubt and feels they should go with a different suggestion, I'd be pissed if I woke up with a missing leg just to hear my surgeon go, "Well, Dr. Whosays told me to do it that way!"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-28081949063990587742012-03-05T10:46:59.262-05:002012-03-05T10:46:59.262-05:00Great post, Diane, and I love Candice's advice...Great post, Diane, and I love Candice's advice, too.<br /><br />When I hear a writer say, "I did it because my Writers Group told me to..." it makes me sad.<br /><br />I say, listen to what group members say, really take it in, but then make your own decisions. The pen stays in the writer's hand.Mary Ann de Stefanohttp://madaboutwords.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-57794988232602152582012-03-05T08:30:35.462-05:002012-03-05T08:30:35.462-05:00OCD is kicking in. I meant to post that under your...OCD is kicking in. I meant to post that under your name. Dangit!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-83765430097629237272012-03-05T08:29:55.550-05:002012-03-05T08:29:55.550-05:00Thank you Jeff! Glad you could stop by. The bigges...Thank you Jeff! Glad you could stop by. The biggest thing I've learned being in my critique group is that when you critique honestly, as a reader (not a writer), you learn more about how to improve your own writing than anything else. It's why I enjoy the group, it whether I'm being critiqued or giving one.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-31229089859622576592012-03-04T21:54:38.531-05:002012-03-04T21:54:38.531-05:00LOL I love the video--too funny. It sounds like yo...LOL I love the video--too funny. It sounds like you have learned how to make the most of your critique group. Good ones can be hard to find, but I've been fortunate with some of the groups I've been involved in. It's just as important to understand how to accept a critique as much as learning how to give a useful critique. I try to educate people who are new to the critique process so they can learn to get the most from their experience. Great post!<br />Oh, and I totally agree with you about The Matrix Revolutions (your previous post.) That movie was terrible on so many levels. The first movie--brilliant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-84036831174971439182012-03-04T15:37:39.743-05:002012-03-04T15:37:39.743-05:00Haha, the video was funny. The Admin (essentially ...Haha, the video was funny. The Admin (essentially the Dungeon Master) of the online game I play posted it. I absolutely loved it because now I understand his frustration when we players want to do things in the roleplay that doesn't make sense in his world. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-20309422358894468522012-03-04T14:59:49.798-05:002012-03-04T14:59:49.798-05:00I have a really strong group, mind you it is in a ...I have a really strong group, mind you it is in a creative writing class. The entire class is just critiques, but I always find the feedback helpful. Somtimes it's a bit over the top, but mostly solid. <br /><br />Loved the video, gonna send to some friends.magicminthttp://www.loneswing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-45964362853994811752012-03-04T09:02:28.664-05:002012-03-04T09:02:28.664-05:00I like that format, Candice. Starting with a posit...I like that format, Candice. Starting with a positive comment is always good, because this opens us up to begin with. There were 7 in our group, but I think we're down to 5 and have a 6th starting soon, and his name isn't Kanye, thank goodness!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-53523134195145968632012-03-04T08:55:30.655-05:002012-03-04T08:55:30.655-05:00You drive to a writer's group on the same day ...You drive to a writer's group on the same day I post about writing groups? Small world isn't it? lolAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-58106385336572364912012-03-03T22:56:13.121-05:002012-03-03T22:56:13.121-05:00The notorious (and deservedly so! lol) Palm City (...The notorious (and deservedly so! lol) Palm City (FL) Word Weavers do an awesome job of critiquing at our bi-monthly meetings and at our once-monthly focused-critique group. There is no blood-letting permitted. We follow a set format and request that, no matter what, the reviewer start with a positive comment. Reviewers also are asked to give specific examples, citing page, paragraph, and line of the text about which they're commenting. Our focused critique group, led by the inimitable Chuck Waldron, divides into groups 4 or 5 members, depending upon the number in attendance. Each has received chapters ahead of time from all participants. During the critique, the author sits with his or her back to the group and may listen and take notes but not speak. At the very end, he or she may make a general comment about how they felt the critique went, but may not respond to the critiques. Works for us! Then again, we're a great group. Just ask us! :)Candice Coghillhttp://cwc6161.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-27139443444011039692012-03-03T22:42:12.344-05:002012-03-03T22:42:12.344-05:00Sounds like you have a great critique group with l...Sounds like you have a great critique group with lots of interesting and supportive feedback. I'm out here in the desert and we do have some critique groups but we have very long distances between us. Like today when I drove to my writer's group it was about 20 miles away. Intangible Heartshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05047040538015079182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-76599293491756210152012-03-03T20:25:01.171-05:002012-03-03T20:25:01.171-05:00I agree. But I've heard some horror stories! I...I agree. But I've heard some horror stories! I'm so honored to be in a group that is supportive and mature. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351235520870325177.post-14547494475765141412012-03-03T20:18:32.672-05:002012-03-03T20:18:32.672-05:00My critique group is great. They give suggestions ...My critique group is great. They give suggestions without taking over the story. I think CPs have to provide constructive criticism and be respectful. The two should go hand-in-hand.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.com