Writers benefit from critique groups in a multitude of ways as writers will learn when my friend Becky Levine’s new book — The Writing and Critique Group Survival Guide — is released by Writers Digest early next year.
Personally, I’ve found critique groups a helpful place to:
- Connect with like-minded people
- Learn more about my own individual writing strengths and weaknesses, both from feedback on my own pieces and just as dramatically, if not more so, from giving feedback to others in the group about their own individual pieces
- Improve at my craft
- Brainstorm
- And more…
However… I continue to believe for many writers, DO NOT SHOW YOUR FIRST DRAFT TO ANYONE.
This practice can prove detrimental in that many groups require that everyone submit. Still, I’m sticking to my belief.
Why? Because for most writers getting the first draft down on paper is like trying to capture the fragile thread of a dream. Whether you pre-plot or write by the seat of your pants, this generative stage comes primarily from the right side of your brain (for an absolutely terrific book about this, check out the non-fiction New York Times bestseller: My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.)
Yes, the two hemispheres are “neuronally integrated” and “two complementary halves of a whole rather than as two individual entities or identities.” However, each side does process information in uniquely different ways.
For those writers with a preference for the right hemisphere and who excel at seeing the big picture and the “congruity of the overall expression”, to bring in too much feedback, too early in a “linear form of creating sentences and paragraphs that convey very complex messages” (left hemispheric strength) can throw the writer into a tailspin and actually derail their progress.
Also, for most, with feedback too early, the writer tends to get ensnared in the lethal cycle of Going-back-to-the-Beginning Syndrome. Rather than forge ahead all the way to the end, writers attempt to please everyone in their critique group by going back over the critiqued information over and over and over again. Thus, a project that should take months, ends up taking years.
I feel like I’m ranting again, but I’ve just had two writers thrust into this position and it pains me.
We, as writers, bring enough of our own insecurities to the process. It takes discipline to shut out the inner critic during the first draft. Why allow in a group of critics (because isn’t that what a critique group is made up of??? Supportive and helpful, but… According to thefreedictionary.com, critique has been used “to review or discuss critically” since the 18th century, and used to be a neutral verb between praise and censure, but is now mainly used in a negative sense).
Once you have written all the way to the end, especially speaking = the Climax, and begin your rewrite (and only then), get all the feedback you can from trusted sources.
- Find yourself a critique group that excels in both praise and censure.
- Listen carefully.
- Stay open.
- Have fun…
I cannot agree more. Unfortunately most writers/critique groups have people who, in my opinion, do not read enough, have not dealt with their own insecurities and have not learned enough about their own process of writing–ie writing their 1st draft and doing several revisions then sending their work out to agents and publishers.
Let me say something about learning one's own process. Having earned my MFA in 2006 and then seeing my MFA thesis and first book brought to print in 2007 I have spent the last 2 years continuing to write, but with a specific emphasis on uncovering MY process of writing a novel. This in an of itself is an additional journey beyond learning and refining one's knowledge of craft and bringing together the basic elements of fiction toward the goal of writing an engaging and entertaining read.
Too many writers have no knowledge of THEIR process or that they even have one.
If they did they would have greater empathy of writers who so bravely and boldly display their work in early stages.
It is truly a gift to be able to see a writer's work in early stages. There is so much we can learn about our own process of writing fiction when given this opportunity. Yet all too often, our fears get the best of us and we fall into criticizing what we don't and cannot understand because we have not faced it enough ourselves.
I could go on and on writing about this.
Let me just say once more that I thoroughly agree with Martha.
Critique groups can be good and do offer the positives listed in the blog.
Yet what I have learned, mainly as a result of undergoing my MFA program, is that ultimately the person who remains committed to writing and continuing to craft stories must not only learn to her or his process for writing fiction, but how to hang out in that place of unknowing–that time and space where the right brain is doing its work. The writer must learn to stay there and come to not need feed back from others that so often throws us off the path our story or novel destines we travel in writing it.
Thanks, Martha for another great and informative blog.
Okay, you know me–I have to jump in! 🙂 In many ways, I agree with you–nobody saw the first draft of my mystery, and they won't see the first draft of my YA. BUT…years ago, when I was just getting really dug in to writing & critiquing, it was hugely helpful to have somewhere to send my chapters. For me, it worked as motivation–reminded me that I wanted to be doing this and that, at the very least, I'd get pats on the back for having made progress and hear some good things (yes, and some not-so-good) about the writing in them. And, yes, I've been lucky to find very strong AND respectful critique partners, including you, Martha.) So I do think that submitting early chapters to a group can be helpful to keep some writers going, especially new ones who are struggling to just remember that they can do this thing. That said, all the group members should talk about & be very aware of the fact that these are early chapters and that they should be focused on big issues that can help the writer move forward and develop their story, not small detail things that can frighten the author off and make them focus too much on what they've already written.
Great post, Martha! And thanks for mentioning the book. 🙂
Terrific blog.
In recent years I have come to the conclusion that in some cases writers are the wrong people to go to for feedback. Too often I hear what they would do with my story. I don't care what they would do. I want suggestions that will help me fulfill my best intentions.
Also, friends who are writers may want to help, but sometimes they simply can't be objective about you, the author, who they've seen struggle or succeed. It can create tension and unequal and unintended "mentor" relationships.
Ah…what a life we've chosen.
http://www.thelakethatstolechildren.com
Thanks for posting this. I think there's something to be said for finding the right people. I used to believe that as a writer, I should submit my writing to anyone who was willing to read it, and that I should listen to them. But the truth is, some people are just terrible critiquers. Or they just don't get your book. And that's okay. Not everyone has to get your book–just the audience you're planning to sell to. I remember one devastating moment when some one said (and I'm paraphrasing here, but not by much), "Your book is garbage. If I'd bought it in the store I'd be throwing it away now."
So, critique groups: Use with caution.
When I read Annes message I totally sympathize. I've just recently joined a critique group and I have just had the first chapter of my first novel critiqued. Hmmm, after reading the first criitque my heart sank. And sure I was expecting some negative comments, but also some good ones. Well, there were negative alright, but nothing nice or encouraging. And unless the whole novel is going to be summed up in the first chapter, how can a critic say I have a lot of questions? I don't know where you are going with this.
Writing is a craft that takes years to hone and as writers we all know it is a difficult process. To be shot down so quickly and without any encouragment–which is why I joined a critique group in the first place–well, that has just taken the wind right out of my sails.
For another good reference on how the brain works (and how to make it work better for you) see "Evolve your Brain", by Dr. Joe Dispenza. Dense and fantastic!
BTW, cannot agree more with you. That's why I'm so reluctant on showing my work on critique groups, despite of all the advices urging me to do it.
On a final note, it's the first contact I have with your blog, and already love it! On my favs, now, lol.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this. I've blogged several times on my love/hate relationship with critique groups. I made the mistake of submitting the beginning chapters of an uncompleted novel and too much I-would-do-it-this-way feedback derailed me. Never again.
So where do writers like me who have finished the first draft go for honest (not brutal) appraisal of their work? When do you know that your work is really finished and your ready to go on the hunt for publication.