Comments on: Critiques: Writing up the Big Stuff

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:47:40 +0000

Oh, and just took a look at the guild webpage–it looks like a wonderful organization!

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:45:35 +0000

Peter–yes, it can be hard to find enough people who have that kind of time available (or who read really fast!). It’s worth the hunt, though, and it’s one of the reasons I talk about starting with a group early–when the group grows together, they’re more familiar with each others’ work & critique styles and this part of the process feels a bit less intimidating, I think. And you’re right, online groups give us so many options!

Thanks for stopping by!

By: writerpeter

writerpeter — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:01:08 +0000

Becky,

I agree with your approach. The biggest hurdle for the long fiction writer in local writer’s groups, however, is forming a circle of dedicated writers who will read each others’ full novel and do the type of critique you suggest. I will gladly do that for a serious fellow writer of my choosing in my genre (mystery-thriller)in exchange for the same. Fortunately, we have the internet, and distance need not be an obstacle. We’re trying such a one-on-ne program at the St. Louis Writers Guild. http://www.stlwritersguild.org/

By: Shawna

Shawna — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:42:04 +0000

You’d be right. : ) Thanks again, Becky.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:40:03 +0000

Shawna–you’re completely right. There are exceptions–anytime you need to get something figured out before you move on, it’s worth it to slow down & do a bit of revision. I’m betting, though, that you dealt with the character issue NOT the specfiic wording!

I hope the summary tool works for you guys–good luck. And I think it’s great that you and your SO can critique each other.

By: Shawna

Shawna — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:38:52 +0000

I think your points are excellent, especially not editing before you finish a draft. Kind of like of a dog chasing its tail, you just can’t move forward. Oddly enough, today I dealt with the exception to that rule. At one time, I had a larger group of reviewers (writer friends) but many have put writing on the back burner, etc and at present, it’s just me and my SO who happens to be a writer. We send everything back and forth. Yesterday, he brought a characterization issue to my attention. I explained the why to him and he mentioned I might want to let the reader in on the character’s thought process. He was right. So today, I rewrote that chapter because it was pivotal for the rest of the novel. But it is an exception to the rule.
Another reason I don’t edit as I receive the feedback is because in the time it takes to finish the novel, I’ve grown more objective. I can go back to what I wrote months ago and look at it with a clearer eye.
I also love the idea of the summery. I’m going to incorporate that starting tomorrow when I start on his new novel. What a helpful tool.
I am looking forward to your book coming out. Every writer needs to know how to take and give a critique.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:15:32 +0000

PJ–Oh, good. I was starting to wonder if it was just me! I’m excited about the book, too–I’m just starting the section on critiquing books for young readers. Fun!

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:14:46 +0000

Beth, do blog about it! I think people are often afraid to start critique with others, because they can’t see the structure or the patterns that help get the back-and-forth ideas going. I think the vagueness they see in how the group runs, and how the critiquers pass info back & forth, scares some writers off. So tell people how great it can be!

By: PJ Hoover

PJ Hoover — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:09:49 +0000

I love receiving the typed up page when I get a critique. Likewise in y critique group, I love the overview comments. The big things.
I need to be better and more standard when I give them in return!
Can’t wait for your book to come out!

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:55:23 +0000

This is great advice, and something that I was thinking of blogging about soon! I have found critique groups invaluable…when they are the right one and when they do the things you talk about here.