You may have heard a published author give credit to her critique partners for her success. You may have heard an editor say that being actively involved in a critique group is an excellent reference for query letters. And you may wonder--what exactly is a critique group? How do I find one? And once I'm there, what do I have to do? What's expected of me? What can I expect from my critique partners?
A critique group is most simply a group (or partnership) of romance writers getting together to get others' feedback on their work. This can happen in a number of ways here on-line. Some choose to e-mail only, while others choose to meet in a private chat room for "real-time" chats. Some groups do a combination.
What can you expect from a critique group? Well, first off, you can indeed state to an editor that you are actively involved in a critique group. It's a good indication that you are seriously working toward your goal of becoming a published writer. Depending on the guidelines set by your own personal group, you'll probably be sending portions (say, a chapter at a time) to your partners, who then come back with suggestions for improvement AND (this is A very BIG and) encouragement for all you've done right.
Not every suggestion for improvement will fit with your style/ms, but (particularly if more than one person has the same comment) you should weigh each suggestion carefully. Suggestions may run from improper grammar to point-of-view switches, and everything in between.
Be sure to let your group know if you are more interested in the "larger picture" (holes in the plot) or if you'd also like some nit-picking (too many adverbs). Sometimes we as writers get to close to our own work and simply CANNOT see the mistakes. This is where having someone you trust will help you. And you will come to trust your partners--probably even become close buddies! Sometimes it helps just to know that another person has been where you are, feels the things you are feeling, and has experienced the gamut of emotion that comes from writing a romance novel (not to mention trying to sell the thing!).
These people are who you can turn to when you've been rejected, and celebrate with you when you get "THE CALL!" After all, they will have been with you through the bad and the good. They'll know the blood, sweat and tears you poured into your manuscript, so they'll have the joy of vicariously sharing your victory! Most of all, perhaps, a critique group offers you a sense of structure, both in terms of motivation and encouragement. You're less apt to hit a dry spell when you know you have a chapter "due" at your next critique group meeting. And your partners will re-ignite the excitement you have in your characters and plot when you hit the huge expanse of the mid-novel. More than that, though, we all have dark moments when we want to quit. Your partners can help you through these moments. They'll fight for you. AND they'll kick you in the behind when you need it. And let's face it, everyone needs a jump-start from time to time.
What do your partners expect from you? To be that partner for them. To honestly critique, offer encouragement, and yes, maybe even cry with them from time to time. Your group will only be as good as what you put into it.
One last comment--some of you may be afraid to share your work with others--afraid they will steal your ideas, etc. Granted, it will take some time, as it does in all relationships, for you to implicitly trust your partners. But remember, they are sharing their "baby" with you, too, and thus are as vulnerable as you are. I won't say it has *never* happened, but I can assure you it is not at all likely--and well worth the risk.
Home | Membership Info | HODRW Authors | Congratulations!! | Links | Board Members | Meeting Info | Spotlight! | Articles | Calendar | Molly Contest | Aspen Gold Contest |