Guest Post: Constance Lombardo on Growing a Critique Group Over Time
I hear a lot about groups that didn’t make it–where meetings trickled away, or people weren’t submitting, or the group was just the wrong fit for too many members. That’s why, when Constance Lombardo sent me this guest post about her group that DID make it–with all the ups and downs and persistence it took to get there, I was thrilled. Read on to see the work that Constance and her critique partners put into keeping this group alive and, ultimately, a strong, supportive place.
THE SECRET GARDENERS
Four years ago, I moved to Asheville, joined SCBWI and decided to form a critique group. I found another writer/illustrator with the same goal. We scheduled and advertised our first meeting. Asheville is full of artists and writers, so I shouldn’t have been surprised by the amount of people who showed up– ten, I think. A mix of picture book to YA writers and illustrators. Wow, I thought, this is going to be easy!
We worked out some logistics: we’d meet twice a month at our favorite local bookstore, Malaprops, we’d read our work and offer feedback at meetings, leaving the first 20 minutes for chatting (hopefully on book-related subjects!) And we would use the ‘sandwich’ rule – a positive statement about the writing first, then discuss what might need work, close with another positive statement.
Four years later, the last survivor from that first group to our current configuration is me.
People moved away. One of us had twins. Someone else had surgery. Others decided they didn’t have time for the group. Change is part of life, right?
Over the years, we’ve had people show up once, after being told that a commitment was required to share work for feedback, and then never return. (We now have a rule that you must attend at least one meeting before you can share.)
We’ve had people show up only when they wanted to share their own work. (New rule: you must attend at least one of our twice a month meetings regularly to remain in the group.)
We had one woman who left the group, saying we were all mean. (More conversation on keeping things positive.)
We’ve had some intense chatters. (I’ve been guilty of this at times. Reminders about staying on-topic.)
And we’ve had some serious personality clashes. New York personalities (myself and others) vs. Southern personalities. We’re still working on that one.
What have we done best over the years?
About a year ago, when our group hit nine committed writers and illustrators who attend and share regularly, we decided to close the group. Most of us are SCBWI members and it’s a requirement for any new members, when we do have an opening. We wrote down a list of Intentions and Rules, including some previously mentioned. We now post our work (especially longer YA or MG chapters) the week before we meet.
We’ve had local authors (Allan Wolf, Alan Gratz) and a local illustrator (Laura Bryant) speak to us about their journeys. A local editor (Joy Neaves) also spoke to our group. We’ve learned a lot from these meetings.
And we picked a name. That was interesting. As we threw out ideas, I realized that I am attached to my concept of the group and that some of the names were just not acceptable to me. (New rule: any major change had to be ok’d by all members.) We made a list of potential names:
- Monkeys with Typewriters
- Make Way for Madeline
- Wonderlanders
- The Inksters
- The Secret Gardeners
We all voted and happily agreed. We are now The Secret Gardeners.
An illustrator from our group (Holly McGee) was pulled from the slush pile to illustrate her first picture book from Kane/Miller, Hush Little Beachcomber by Dianne Moritz. (Hooray!) Author/illustrator Kit Grady has a new book out, A Necklace for Jiggsy (Hooray!) Megan Shepherd’s articles have been in Faces, Calliope and Appleseeds magazines (You go, girl!) And we recently had another published author join us, Karen Miller (Monsters and Water Beasts: Creatures of Fact or Fiction?)
And the rest of us have made great strides in our writing and/or illustrating. We are:
- Andrea Jacobsen (who recently published an article in WNC Woman magazine)
- Donna McCalman
- Debbie McMannis
- Lauren Patton (whose illustrations have appeared in various publications)
- Ameliann Williams
- Constance Lombardo
We’ve been published in our Carolinas chapter newsletter, The Pen & Palette, and in the SCBWI Bulletin, cheering each other on all the way. We celebrate each other through our successes and commiserate over our (numerous!) rejection letters. We share knowledge (agent lists) and ask questions (how to write an effective query?) We attend conferences together and hang out in the hotel bar talking late into the night.
We’ve come to know each other, our work, our writing/illustrating styles, our strengths and weaknesses, and our dreams. We’ve come to appreciate each other, to understand what we’re each trying to accomplish, to be encouraging, and to offer the kind of feedback that makes us all work harder to deliver our best.
And we have fun! We went to see Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. And we’re planning to see HP and the Deathly Hallows together. This year, one of our scheduled meetings fell on my birthday, so I requested that we meet at The Chocolate Lounge (which is as wonderful as it sounds!) We ate chocolate, drank dessert wine, and talked about books. Then I knew, this isn’t just a great critique group, these are my friends.
beckylevine.com 
23 Comments
Wonderful story full of the ups and downs, ins and outs of relationships.
And The Chocolate Lounge sounds grand.
The Secret Gardeners should plan a special meeting at the Biltimore House . . . to tour its gardens. 🙂
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I’m so glad they stuck it out! And, yes, the Chocolate Lounge sounds like a must.
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What a great name for a group of children’s writers! And those are some very wise rules.
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They are. 🙂
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Thanks, Becky, for posting Constance’s blog. Interesting to read her journey. By the way–enjoyed your article in the october issue of WD!
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Carol, I really like to hear the journeys that make it! And thanks–glad you liked the article. 🙂
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Being the other half of this group’s founding two I certainly found Constance’s post particularly heart-warming. For me it is the one of the very few things I miss about Asheville. When I moved to Austin, the group was at a cross-roads with sporadic attendence but I’m happy it survived and is going strong, though I only recognize Donna and Constance, I’m sure their collective gardening won’t be secret forever. Constance, I’m not sure I would have agreed with that name! =0)
Keep writing –
Laurie Ashbourne
http://1st10pages.com
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Laurie, thanks for stopping by. Hope your writing is going well in Austin!
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What a fun read! It’s pretty encouraging to see that the road to a good crit group can be filled with bumps. Love how new rules follow each struggle. And what a great ending line!
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There are bumps, but navigating over & past them is worth it. 🙂
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Turnover is such a big issue. It took me a long time to find a group of people who were as crazy as I. By crazy I mean “committed to writing.” 😉
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I’ve been lucky with my core group, but we’ve definitely had people come and go–the commitment is a big deal. It’s not just emotional, but also very physical–in actually showing up, doing the writing, doing the critiquing… And it’s great when you get there.
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Loved your article, Constance. Way to go, Secret Gardeners. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit the group in January and get to know some of you better. It’s exciting to see your group’s successes. And isn’t it great to be in a supportive group of children’s writers/illustrators who are committed to what they do? I’m lucky enough to be part of a terrific SCBWI crit group too–the Piedmont Plotters. It’s wonderful to have others to cheer your triumphs, to give you honest feedback, and to encourage you when those rejection letters come.
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Congrats on having a good group yourself, Laurie.
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This was a wonderful post. Super advice as well as a heart-warming tale. Ladies, next time I show up in town I want to go to the chocolate bar! Unless we’re practicing with our rock band…
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Glad you liked the post, Bonnie. 🙂
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Thank you all for your encouraging words about my post! I promise to take you all to the Chocolate Lounge. Just call next time you’re in Asheville.
Thanks, Becky, for hosting me! I enjoyed sharing my story and bragging on my wonderful critique group.
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I’m glad you came by to guest post. 🙂
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A really enjoyable read. How fortunate for all that you figured out a way to stick it out. Good Critique buddies are the best.
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Sandra, thanks for stopping by. I totally agree with you about the critique buddies. 🙂
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Constance, what a great account of your group’s journey. I’m so impressed with your commitment. I can imagine that it was tempting at times to let it go.
Your group sounds amazing!
Thank you Becky for including this on your site.
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I was more than happy to post it–I love stories like this one. 🙂
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Thanks, Joyce! Actually I never was tempted to give up, because I know how valuable a great critique group is. Like all good things– it just took time to develop.
It was worth the wait!
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