You Need Critique

By Lesley L. Smith

There’s a stereotype of the writer hammering away on her typewriter late into the night in a cold lonely garret in Paris. Okay, nowadays, she’s stereotypically hammering on her computer keyboard. Maybe she’s wearing those gloves with the fingertips missing. Maybe she’s drinking bourbon or scotch or rye. In pretty much every scenario, however, she’s writing alone. That part of the stereotype is true. (Why can’t it be the Paris part?) Generally, writers write alone. That’s why we need feedback. We need someone else to put his or her eyes on the page and tell us if what we’ve written makes sense (and to warn us about wandering body parts). Another word for feedback is critique.

Like many of you, I’ve been writing a long time. It wasn’t until I became a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW) and joined a critique group that my writing really started to improve. It’s hard to see our own work objectively. Getting input from your significant other, your BFF, or your mom is not the same thing as getting input from another writer. Your friends support you by saying nice things. Your fellow writers support you by critiquing your work.

There are many reasons to join a critique group:

• Get feedback on your writing. Find out what works and what doesn’t work in your own pieces. Learn about the mechanics of writing. Learn about the art of writing.
• Get to know other writers. Be part of the writing community. Help other writers become better writers.
• Experience those “Ah ha!” moments. When you have to stop and think and explain to another writer why something works or doesn’t work it often leads to an increased understanding about writing.
• Meet writing deadlines. If I’m being honest, usually the only reason I finish my pages for the week is because they’re due at critique group.
• Your reason here. There are almost as many reasons to go to critique group as there are writers. Please share in the comments.

Of course, it’s not all wine and roses. Sometimes you go to a critique group and it’s not a good fit. But, if this is the case, there’s an easy fix: leave the group and find another group.

Another thing to keep is mind is you don’t have to change your work because of critique, it’s your work, after all. Listen, consider, and then, do what you want.

How can you find this wonderful thing called critique?

• Many local libraries and bookstores have critique groups.
• There are a lot of critique groups online these days (search for “online writers critique groups”). Also check out Meet-ups.
• I’ve met critique partners at local writers workshops and conferences.
• Many local Writers Groups have critique groups. For example, RMFW has an entire critique webpage, including critique guidelines and listings of critique groups in the Denver metro area and online.

Please ask your questions about critique and critique groups in the comments.

Finally, I couldn’t write a post about critique without including a shout-out to my many critique partners over the years. There have been a lot–and, no, I’m not reading anything into that. 🙂 Thank you for all your help! Thank you Rebecca, Grayson, Jamie, Adrianne, Donna, John, Jim, Mary, Emily, Deb, Mike, Susan, Joseph, Monica, Barb, Nancy, Judy, Zuzana, Jill, Jordan, Dave, Betsy, Renata, Georgia and all the rest. I sincerely appreciate your help, support and insight! Maybe we should have our next meeting in Paris?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lesley L. Smith has an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and her short
fiction has been published in various venues. She’s an active member of
the Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers of America and Rocky Mountain Fiction
Writers. You can find her on the web at www.lesleylsmith.com.