Comments on: Critique Groups: Genre-Based or Not?

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:11:08 +0000

You have done well, oh wise jedi!

By: Barrie Summy

Barrie Summy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:51:54 +0000

I’m in a real-life critique group. We started out all writing in different genres (adult mystery, adult romance and me in MG/YA). But….now I’ve won them over to the dark side and we’re all writing YA/MG! (Seriously. This was not my goal!)

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:34:02 +0000

P.J.–I was thinking of MG/YA AS a genre, but you’re right–it could be mystery, sci-fi, romance, etc!

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:32:13 +0000

Shawna, I think that’s very true–and it’s easy to get stuck with one way of seeing things.

By: P. J. Hoover

P. J. Hoover — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:12:24 +0000

Our group is MG/YA novels, but not genre based. One nice thing about non-genre based it that is gets readers from outside the mold. They will not always feel comfortable with everything, just as every reviewer will not. And it makes us as writers go that extra step to aim to please even a wider crowd.
That said, I do love getting feedback from others inside my genre as I know they already have a love and basic understanding of the concept.

By: Shawna

Shawna — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:25:27 +0000

Hi Becky,

As usual, I agree with you. : ) There have been times I’ve sought out someone who writes in the genre I’m writing.

As long as I know the conventions of the genre in which I write,I find reviewers who write in other genres help me think out of the box.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:34:59 +0000

Julie, I agree–as long as you know your conventions well enough not to let less experienced mystery readers sway you, you’re doing fine. Sounds like a great group–one to stick with.

I always thought Jessica handled all those bodies with serious aplomb!

By: Julie Godfrey Miller

Julie Godfrey Miller — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:24:50 +0000

Interesting post.

My WIP is a mystery novel. I am in a writers’ group that includes poets as well as fiction writers. Only one member of the group reads mysteries. At first I thought that was a disadvantage, and there are times when they have questioned things that are sort of “conventions” in the mystery genre. I have since realized that as a good thing. It will keep my mystery from getting too far-fetched (e.g. too many bodies in Cabot Cove).

Love your log

Julie

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:56:14 +0000

I know–and when I have a secret to weave into my YA, which I totally do, those mystery writers are going to be invaluable! And much of it is the same, yes. I do like having a gut feel from people who read “similar” stuff to mine.

By: Julie Butcher-Fedynich

Julie Butcher-Fedynich — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:51:57 +0000

I’m the only urban fantasy writer in a romance group. If I ever write a sex scene– I’m totally empowered. Otherwise it’s all the same isn’t it? Action/reaction, conflict/resolution/setback, sprinkle commas like confetti..done ;D