One of the best tools we’ve found for both first time and seasoned authors with dozens of books is a Critique Group. We’ve mentioned them a few times but haven’t really gone into what they are or how to run one. We’ll correct that oversight right now.
First, a definition: A Critique Group is an assembly of folks willing to read and comment on the writings of others. They do not have to be writers in their own right, in fact bringing in a few folks who enjoy just reading can give insight into final audience reactions. It’s good if you can find someone who has been through the writing, editing, publishing, marketing process…but it’s not necessary. A Critique Group is intended to help smooth out the rough spots in your story…editing should take place after you have all the story details done. (Don’t hire an editor until your story is ready! It’ll just be a waste of time for them and money for you.)
Next, do you really need a Critique Group? Not necessarily, but if you write, you do. If you want to improve your writing, you do. If you want to work with others, helping them improve…and avoiding the mistakes you see…you do. If you want to publish your work, you do. In other words unless you hire a Developmental Editor to do the same job, you really do need a Critique Group.
Then again, if you want a group to tell you what a wonderful job you’ve done…and how much they love your story…you may not be ready for honest feedback. Also, are you ready to give honest feedback to others? Can you give that feedback? Critique Groups work both ways, so if you’re not ready, you might seek out some Beta Readers instead.
Types of Critique Groups
Critique Groups work in many different ways, but they mostly fall into two main types: Read Cold or Read Ahead. In a Read Cold group, the Readers (Listeners) sit around a table (physical or virtual), possibly with a copy of the ms to mark up, listening as the Author reads the work aloud. An advantage to this type of group is that you get to hear how the author intends to work to sound, where he places the emphases, those minor intonations that are lost in print, and the tone of the characters. The problem is that you do get to hear how the author intends the work to sound…an opportunity the final readers won’t have. You also have the chance to quiz the author about his intentions…again not a possibility for the intended audience.
On the other hand, in a Read Ahead group, the Author sends his work out to the Readers, and they read it at their leisure, when, where, and how they prefer…just as would all the folks who pick up the book later. This type of group can better identify where the author hasn’t quite said what he meant. If the flow isn’t quite right, the word choice a bit off, the details not there, the Readers will notice and mark where they had problems. Running a group this way is better for the Author but requires more work for the Readers, so you’ll have to decide where to set the balance.
We are going to assume you have a Read Ahead group as we continue our discussion. If you’ve opted for a Read Cold group, some of the following recommendations may not apply.
Critique Group Organisation
Some groups have written rules, others just verbal or understood rules. Many groups discuss multiple genres, others focus on just one. Some want to read a WIP, others have prompts, so authors can work on writing skills in general, applying those skills to a larger project later. There are advantages and disadvantages to any decision you make about your group, so again, consider how you will maintain an appropriate workload on everyone involved.
Some decisions that should be considered before getting too far are:
- How many members?
too few, not enough feedback
too many, too much to read - Where and when to meet?
someone’s home, a coffee shop, virtually
once a week, once a month, when you’re ready - Types of submissions?
WIP, finished product, prompt based - Size of submissions?
too big, no time to read properly
too small, not enough to critique
Although there shouldn’t be a boss or president, a facilitator or host certainly can help things run more smoothly. The responsibility of hosting can rotate through the group, depending on where the meetings are held.
Running a Critique Group
Each member has different tasks at different times. Here are some quick bullets that the members can keep in mind.
Before the Meeting
- The Author (submitter)
- Select the text to be critiqued
- Format it for critiquing, not for publication
- Distribute it to the Readers (in plenty of time)
- The Readers (critiquers)
- Read as you normally do and comment
- Mark confusing spots or things that threw you out
- Use margins and spaces between lines to give details
- Show up to the meeting on time and ready
- The Host
- Provide appropriate environment
- Offer pens, pencils, and paper for notetaking
- Have reference materials available
During the Meeting
- The Readers (critiquers)
- Point out places for improvement,
giving examples of possible changes - Don’t waste time discussing minor points,
just mark them and move on - Listen to comments of other Readers,
speak up only when you have something useful to add - Be encouraging and point out where the story works well,
sandwich your negatives between positives
- Point out places for improvement,
- The Author (submitter)
- Listen carefully to comments
- Take notes of discussions
- Ask for clarification,
but don’t explain what you meant
(If it isn’t clear to the Reader, consider fixing it.)
- The Host
- Keep the group focused
- Don’t be bossy
- If the group gets out of control,
offer drinks, snacks, or a quick break - Schedule the next meeting,
time and place
After the Meeting
- The Host
- Check on absent members
- Motivate non-submitting members
- Send out a reminder of the next meeting
- The Readers (critiquers)
- Support fellow writers
- Brag about how much better the book is now
- Attend book launches, signings, or promotions
- The Author (submitter)
- Put marked submissions aside,
have a drink, put your feet up, relax - Later, carefully review suggestions offered,
remember they are intended to improve your work - Accept or Reject each idea,
you have the final word - Edit your ms, then read it over
- Acknowledge assistance of the group,
include them in your Front Matter
- Put marked submissions aside,
How to Do the Critique
Consider the needs of the members…what kind or level of feedback does each author want? This could change from submission to submission, so be clear. Does the author want fixes or just problems pointed out? Pay attention to the basics of writing: characters, conflict, dialogue, pacing, plot, setting, structure. Don’t address things that won’t change, such as genre or subject matter. Focus on improving the work, not “fixing” the author.
When pointing out problems, explain why it doesn’t work, then offer some kind of fix…your suggestion may not be used, but it may spark an idea that the author can use to rectify the issue. Keep your comments as objective as possible. Yes, your feelings about the readings will be subjective, but step back and see if you can explain why you feel that way. Position your comments from a personal view, not “Your characters are flat,” rather “I have trouble creating real, rounded characters as well.”
In the end, all you want to do is help others improve their work as they help you improve yours. You get early reviews from sensible but impartial people—the best kind.