Writer’s Groups: Here’s How Mine Works. What About Yours?
This weekend our writer’s group met. I feel very fortunate to be in an excellent group of writers who all take their work very seriously. We all get along well, and no one takes offense at being critiqued. Focused on writing for children, we meet once a month (although we did take a couple of months off for the summer when vacations and life got in the way) and read our work aloud.
We also provide printed copies out for everyone. “Everyone” totals six people now, although up until a few months ago we had seven. One had to drop out due to her increased work schedule.
We take turns reading our work and then the group shares their thoughts on how the writer can improve the manuscript. Sometimes the writer brings an idea, and we conduct a brainstorming session. Fun energy abounds, as words fly back and forth. If we could see our thoughts, large colorful illustrations would pop up as giant bubbles all around us!
The great thing about our group is that we all get along, we enjoy each other’s work, and we are writing for a similar audience. We also share markets, advice, and industry news with each other.
What about you and your group? What do you like about it? Or are you having difficulties with it? Share what works for you or how you’ve overcome a problem you’ve encountered.
Writing prompts: 1. Write a scene using a writer’s group as the setting, with writers as the characters. Through in conflict for spice! 2. The title of this story: My Writer’s Group Went to New York. (Yes, it can be a fantasy. Or even a murder mystery!) 3. Write an essay about your experiences with writer’s groups.
I don’t have much to add, since I’m also very lucky with a great critique group — 4 mystery writers who can have a good time bouncing around the difference in meaning between “A House” and “The House” as it appears in a title.
We have the usual format of giving an overview critique of each person’s work first, then a page by page “edit” for everyone. The important elements are: similar markets, willingness to hear critique, respect for each other’s efforts — just as with Liz’s group.
It might take a long time to find (or generate) a group like this, but it’s worth sticking with the process. Classes and CWC, of course, are good starting points.
I don’t have an in-person group so I am more than a little jealous of yours. And my on-line group seems to be drifting apart. But I am currently taking an online class that I hope will lead to a new one. Time will tell. I really miss those in-person meeting though.
We also have 6 members in our critique group, Writers on the Journey (WOTJ). We have a blog site at: http://writersotj.wordpress.com/ . We meet every othr Thursday evening. Several of our members have writing deadlines coming up, so their pieces take priority. We usually review 3 pieces per 90 minute session, but end promptly to respect everyone’s busy schedules.
Our critiquing format is similar to yours, Liz. First, we read passages from the piece (mostly a short story or novel chapter – no specific genre for the group) that read particularly well. We provide general “story edit” comments, but try to refrain from copy edit comments. These are provided to the author though in the form of feedback on the returned piece.
Although 6 members is a good number, sometimes the sessions are reduced to 3-4 because of conflicts. We feel this is too small. So, we think the ideal group size is closer to 8, with 5-7 attending regularly. One of our existing members is asked to sponsor (bring forward for consideration) any new writers who would like to join.