C is for Critique Groups by Susan Barclay

  

I have to admit, it's been a while since I was part of a critique group. The one I'd been in for over a dozen years fell apart after the death of one of our members in 2018. Before it could be resuscitated, Covid hit and had all of us taking cover in our homes. Still, I think writing groups are valuable in helping us grow in skill, and the well-aimed critique makes us think and gives us tools for improving.

As I reflected on this topic, I came across this website, which raises a number of helpful points on how to critique well. I won't go into all of them here but simply highlight a few:

1. Make your feedback actionable. If you're vague in identifying problems, the writer may not know how to resolve them, leaving her frustrated and uncertain. If you're clear, the writer can more easily move forward, assuming she agrees with your suggestions and corrections.
   
2. Balance criticism with kindness. Accepting criticism is easier if it is done with the right attitude and delivered in the right tone. Our writing often feels like our "babies," and we can feel hurt when people point out flaws. So don't just identify what's wrong with a piece, notice what's right with it too. Explain what's lacking, convoluted, or incorrect, but also gush about what you loved.
   
3. Keep it honest. If you want someone to say they love everything you've written, don't join a writers' group; show your work to your family members! To develop as an author, though, it's essential to receive honest critiques. Maybe you'll discover you need to work on grammar and punctuation or learn how to ask the right questions; maybe your issue is that you have trouble seeing the big picture; perhaps reading other writers in your preferred genre will prove helpful. Listen to what your writing friends tell you, sift through their suggestions, set your work aside for a bit, come back to it; trust your gut.

My old writing group has gotten together a couple of times for socials over the last two years but it hasn't revived to fulfill its original purpose. An attempt to rekindle a second former group is off to a faltering start as a couple of us are in seasons that make it difficult to write or to meet. At some point it will happen but that time isn't yet. Maybe it is for you.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on critique groups if you've been, or are, part of one. With online options, they no longer have to be in-person. What have you found works for you? 

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For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit her blog: https://susan-barclay.blogspot.com/

Stalled by Susan Barclay

Waaay back in 2004 I started work on my first novel. I'm a pantser so I didn't work with an outline, but I did have a good idea of how the story would begin and how it would end.

For a while, I wrote consistently and the words pretty much flowed from my head and onto the page. I was part of a monthly writing group that offered amazing feedback, encouragement, and support.

Then I got stuck. Hit a roadblock in the plot and didn't know where to go, what to write next. Somewhere along the way I also lost much of my work due to a computer snafu. Here's a fact I can endorse from experience: always, always back up your back-up.

A member of our writing group passed away after a years'-long battle with breast cancer. I hadn't realized how much of the glue she must have been because our group fell apart and has never regained its momentum. 

I started a writing course with author J.A. McLachlan. Her feedback on my work was great but her gentle suggestions made it clear that I needed to pretty much start over.

Then Covid hit. My mom fell and moved in with us. My daughter boomeranged back home as well. And now my son has returned. While I'm happy to have a full house and to care for the people God's placed in my life, it's also meant setting my project aside for this season. We talked more about this in my August post.

So, in terms of strategies I'd normally suggest to someone who's stuck - take a break and work on writing something else, seek feedback from others and see if it generates new ideas or directions, ask yourself 'what if this?/what if that?' - none of those help me right now. I also find it difficult to get up any earlier in the morning or stay awake any later at night. The one thing I can do is read other people's books. As I said in the August post, "Reading is an important activity for writers as we learn from both good and bad writing and get ideas for subjects we might want to explore further through our own work." All is not lost.

As I was scrolling through Facebook this morning, I found some encouragement on Jennifer Rothschild's page. She said:

Sometimes we look at Psalm 37:4 as a blank check. We think that if we delight in God, He will give us what we want. But the emphasis of the verse is on delighting. When we delight in God, He places in us the desires He wants us to have. “It is God who works in you,” Paul reminds us, “to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). When our delight is in God, we can trust that our desires will be what He wants for us. That way we never settle for less!

Today instead of worrying about my set-aside project, wondering if it will ever get finished, I choose to focus on delighting on God. I want nothing less than His best for me, and that may mean forgetting the novel and all the years I poured into it. I know the time wasn't wasted as I improved my ability and skill. 

God has good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and for my writing. When the time is right, He will show me the next step(s). My trust and my hope are in Him and nothing else. Nothing is better than Him!

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For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

 

 

The (B)right Side of Critique by Sharon Espeseth

Women Word Weavers

Years back, a writing instructor encouraged our class to give only positive feedback to our classmates. "Critique," she said, is too harsh a word for beginners." At the time, I was satisfied with comments like, "I like your opening quote," or "I'd like to hear more about Ernie," my dad.

Toughened up since then, I've learned much. When I open myself up for honest critique, listen to suggestions, and note what comments resonate with me, my writing improves.

The Difference Between Critique or Criticism

I searched for clear-cut definitions of critique and criticism and how one compared to the other. I assumed that criticism referred to what someone did when they ripped your writing to shreds or took the proverbial strip off your self-confidence. Conversely a critique would be in the form of suggestions or constructive comments.

I discovered that some  believe criticism is criticism whether it's positive or not. To the rest of us, criticism denotes a degree of disapproval.

Online I found a writer, Judy Reeves, who also finds value in a good critique. Although I have not yet read her book, Writing Alone, Writing Together: A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups,* I came across her eight points for a good critique quoted online. Here are two points as example of her criteria.

"• Criticism finds fault/Critique looks at structure
  • Criticism looks for what's lacking/Critique finds what's working"

In return for using these two points, may I mention that Judy Reeves has several books and a blog on writing and writing groups.





Recent Critiques that Have Served Me Well

1. My April Blog entitled, "My One Special Job in God's Plan": I post my blog for InScribe Writers Online on the 10th of each month. When the Women Word Weavers (WWW) meet before that day, I like to have at least a first draft ready for critiquing. I bring copies for my colleagues to follow along as I read. The April meeting was on the 8th and this particular draft needed work. After I read my story, one of the ladies suggested, "This story about the angel would work well in first person." Another said, "You need to introduce the main character earlier in the story." The light bulb over my head turned on. I couldn't wait to get home and let my angel tell his story right from the beginning.

2. My Series of Columns on Encouragement: After signing a contract to write four issues on a theme of my choice for Fellowscript, I became ill. My doctor advised me to take a break from commitments outside the home. Although I wanted to keep my commitment, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to organize and express my thoughts clearly. Maybe I should have bowed out, but Carol Schafer, essay editor of Fellowscript, was encouraging, patient and professional. While respecting and maintaining my voice and ideas, she polished my work.

3. My Entry in the Winter Contest: I recently received my critique from the judge for the Non-fiction Category of the InScribe Winter Contest. The judge looked at structure and told me what worked. This person was "kind, honest, and objective;" was positive even about what wasn't working; and was "concrete and specific." Not only would the judge have passed Judy Reeve's standard for a good critique, but he or she also gave suggestions about how my article could have been split into a series of articles. (I have a habit, like right now, of squeezing too many ideas into a short article.)

Critiquing As Jesus Might

St. Paul Writing
Free Image: restoredtraditions.co

As a teacher, I believe in teaching and learning, as much as possible, through positive interactions, which is good pedagogy. This was also the example Christ gave us for communicating with people.

Paul reinforced Jesus' ways. To the Colossians, he wrote, "Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them off." (Colossians 4:6 in The Message)

The goal for a writing critique could also follow this format.

*Writing Alone, Writing Together: A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups by Judy Reeves

No Longer Alone by Tandy Balson

When I started writing I enjoyed the support and encouragement of my husband and a close friend. Since I had no intention of writing for a larger audience this was enough.

God had other plans for me and soon my sporadic hobby became more focused. I felt compelled to write and the words he gave me cried out to be shared.

My husband realized I would need contact with other writers long before I did. He saw a notice in our local paper about a writer's group that met weekly at the library and suggested I check it out. I didn't consider myself a writer so was reluctant, but knew he wouldn't let me off the hook until I attended one of their meetings.

What I found was a small, dedicated group mostly comprised of poets. None wrote from a Christian perspective and I felt out of place. They were welcoming and interested in what I wrote. The next week I returned and shared one of my stories. It didn't take long before these people were no longer strangers and I was part of the group.

When my first book was published, these new friends gave up their regular meeting in order for me to hold a book launch at the library. Their support and encouragement gave me much needed confidence. I still attend this group.

After a couple of years I longed to find a group where I could advance my writing skills in conjunction with others who shared my Christian faith. Through a series of events God led me to Ruth Snyder. She told me about InScribe and I had no doubt this was what I was looking for.

My life has been enriched through the writers I've since met, both in person and online. When I attended my first Fall Conference I felt as though I'd come home. The genuine caring and support was like nothing I had ever experienced. Published authors were happy to share their knowledge and experience with those just staring out. I came home inspired and encouraged.

I prayed for a chapter to start in my area so I could immerse myself even more. The mentoring and relationships were things I desperately wanted.

Again, God's plans were slightly different than mine. Instead of joining a group, I am now co-leading one. The men and women attending are all brand new writers with a desire to serve God through the written word.

I don't feel equipped to lead a group. They need so much more than I can offer them. When I asked for guidance InScribe was there to provide me with resources.  I'm now encouraging the participants  to attend the Spring WorDshop in our area. My hope is that they will join the membership and be inspired and blessed as I have been in this fellowship.

Because of Him by Glynis M. Belec

Writing is a lonesome endeavour. But I am good with that. I have the dickens of the time trying to figure out whether I am an introvert or extrovert, though. I LOVE being in my office all by myself creating and reading and doing all sorts of other things in seclusion. I long for extended periods of uninterrupted time to write but it rarely comes. Then again, I am an inspirational speaker and I LOVE doing that, too. I have lots of energy and I find speaking a wonderful way for me to release and to share. I guess that makes me an ambivert - a person whose personality has a balance of extrovert and introvert features.

 Over the years that I have been writing, one of the things I have learned about myself is I am not an oddity in the writing world. I know in the 'real' world a few shake their heads but I am learning that God made me 'that way' for a purpose. Since I have been surrounding myself with other writers who have quirks and odd things happening in their heads, I feel much better. I am not alone

Just at the right times, God has introduced me to some wonderful people - other writers. It's good to be understood. 

I am a member of quite a few writing organizations and groups, but the two professional ones that play the most important part in my writing life are Inscribe Christian Writers' Fellowship and The Word Guild. I also belong to other professional groups, but these two have influenced and molded me in ways that are hard to describe. Sometimes I wonder why I have to belong to two similar organizations, then I remember my two visuals. Belonging to Inscribe is like grabbing a cup of tea and sitting on the couch talking and sharing all things writing. Membership in The Word Guild is like having a great business luncheon and discussing details of the next project. Many of my writer friends are members of both and I love that. We sharpen each other. 

Quite a few years ago I started Writers Unite. We are a local group who meet in the local Studio Factor, which is a great place for artists to come and be inspired. I was the only published writer to begin with but over the years others have been published while others have gained confidence and write blogs, plays, fiction, Christian inspirational stories and so much more. I don't always have to lead  which is nice for me and it warms my heart to see the passion pour out on the page each month. God has blessed these writers (and me!) so much since we started meeting together. Sometimes we end up being a bit of a therapy session because someone has challenges and we just feel so very safe sharing. We are friends and we have each other's writerly backs. And I love that. 

Back in June of 2015 God laid something on my heart that I am so grateful for. He knew my propensity for hiding in my office, but He also knew I did have a need to communicate and grow. I felt an urge to reach out and start a private Facebook group not only for writers, but also for readers. So I did. 

July 1st was the debut post for our Angel Hope Publishing group. We have 471 members composed of writers, readers, librarians, editors and publishers. I felt God impress upon my heart that this was not about selling my books. It was about sharing, engaging conversation and encouraging Canadian authors and readers who may or may not be Christians - then there is that byproduct of seed-planting.

 At the beginning I had some issues with a couple of members who didn't like the faith aspect (I also felt this would be a place to speak about glorifying God through words). But now, I absolutely love the contact I have here with others. I learn so much and I am encouraged. I pray that that happens for others, too. Some participate regularly. Some when the topic hits home. Others like the contests or the quizzes. While others are just quiet and read. I am so thankful for the way it has worked out. We are a closed group so people have to request to join. I want Angels to feel safe and blessed. 

Sure, I would like to spend more time doing me, me, me things and following my own ideas. Then I hear that little Voice whispering words like, 'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. . .'

I keep trying (because of Him). 

               Glynis