Last week my writing buddy sent me her new novel and asked for my feedback. This is the one I’ve been hearing about for a year, the novel she’s written that’s closest to her heart, and the one I feel will earn her a deal with a major publisher. And it got me thinking about…
Tag: critiquing
Critique Groups, Part 2: When It’s Time to Quit
As I discussed last month, a critique group is a wonderful thing. I owe much of my technical and professional development over the last few years—as well as countless friendships—to my crit groups. I encourage all new writers to find a group and start critiquing as soon as possible, because in my experience, a good…
Critique Groups, Part 1: Spotting Toxic Feedback
Over the course of several years (and several groups), I’ve experienced the joy that a healthy critique group can bring. It can invigorate your writing practice, inspire you to work harder, provide friends to celebrate (and commiserate) with, and help your writing skills flourish. But not all groups are created equal. Sometimes groups, or individual…
Critiquing Can Be Hard Work, But…
When critiquing the work of colleagues, whether in a critique group or just between friends, the hardest thing is when it’s a topic, genre or style you don’t normally enjoy reading in your leisure time. It isn’t often spoken about, but it’s true. It can sometimes be an interminable slog to try to read and…