tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post3145207258403364109..comments2024-03-20T02:49:17.606-07:00Comments on Between Fact and Fiction: Get Thee To A Crit GroupNatalie Whipplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-33031049607797916152010-02-05T17:29:22.074-08:002010-02-05T17:29:22.074-08:00Very helpful. The kick-in-the-butt I needed to st...Very helpful. The kick-in-the-butt I needed to start looking for a critique group. Love the blog and thanks for your insights.Stasiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415483299971270025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-69491389645831283692009-11-09T12:32:49.932-08:002009-11-09T12:32:49.932-08:00this post is very timely for me. I need a new crit...this post is very timely for me. I need a new crit group badly. My current one is made up of my most best friends, but it has become apparent to me and others who are familiar with my work, that i've outgrown them. My skills have superceded their own, and so i'm left being helpful, but not receiving much help in return. Sigh. I really have no idea how to find a new crit group...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-52814791671731724602009-11-09T12:28:32.197-08:002009-11-09T12:28:32.197-08:00Hi Natalie-
I started looking for a crit group aft...Hi Natalie-<br />I started looking for a crit group after I finished my first draft, and found the online writer's workshop for science fiction and fantasy. I've made one really good friend and AWESOME crit partner who gets me, as you say, and some reliable others. -KellyKelly Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08324622421797199560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-60946756689134883112009-11-07T19:27:19.253-08:002009-11-07T19:27:19.253-08:00Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'm still i...Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'm still in the network and get around and get something on the paper stage (long hiatus), but I'm looking forward to doing this in the (hopefully!) near future.Megshttp://writing.smeganpayne.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-83932085433058350182009-11-07T19:27:08.557-08:002009-11-07T19:27:08.557-08:00Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'm still i...Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'm still in the network and get around and get something on the paper stage (long hiatus), but I'm looking forward to doing this in the (hopefully!) near future.Megshttp://writing.smeganpayne.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-1664198664852639202009-11-07T18:33:56.970-08:002009-11-07T18:33:56.970-08:00That's funny, I just posted on my (new) crit g...That's funny, I just posted on my (new) crit group today. I'm excited for us.Jessie Oliveroshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232456334069794107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-63933593617134938512009-11-07T16:08:15.542-08:002009-11-07T16:08:15.542-08:00Yes, Susan, her alpha reader IS the alpha female.
...Yes, Susan, her alpha reader IS the alpha female.<br /><br />Tee hee hee...Kiersten Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05780265683043033609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-55988071132648530192009-11-07T12:01:31.887-08:002009-11-07T12:01:31.887-08:00I've just started the blog reading/internet re...I've just started the blog reading/internet researching part. Dang, there is a lot to take in. This crit group is a new one. I think the first time out has got to be the scariest, but your advice on finding the right group seems like common sense - though it never crossed my mind! LOLSouthpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-70583524812268126692009-11-07T03:38:34.748-08:002009-11-07T03:38:34.748-08:00Thank you! This has been tremendously helpful! S.Thank you! This has been tremendously helpful! S.Academichichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03818691278018807166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-3303219147351139032009-11-06T20:27:26.539-08:002009-11-06T20:27:26.539-08:00I wish I had kept in touch with some of the writer...I wish I had kept in touch with some of the writers in my university classes - I sometimes feel very isolated, and I don't have a crit group. It's particularly tricky at the moment: I wrote my previous novel as part of a MFA, and so had lots of feedback. I'm working on the second book now (have to have it to my agent in the new year), and I feel like I'm working blind, missing the constant feedback that was so much a part of my life last year. I can't wait to give it to a beta reader.<br /><br />Interestingly, one of my best beta readers has always been my husband. He's a programmer, and the logical, analytical aspects of his mind are perfect for picking apart my work. It's great! (Although not so much fun when it comes to playing Monopoly. Spawns LOTS of marital arguments).Andrea Eameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15304706719936895188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-76114336824861302332009-11-06T19:39:18.506-08:002009-11-06T19:39:18.506-08:00This is a good post. My experiences with beta roun...This is a good post. My experiences with beta rounds have been hit-and-miss, but always enlightening.<br /><br />I'm still trying to find my "perfect" crit group. I have a couple of good betas that I will go to every time (or as often as they'll let me), but they're not writers.Adam Heinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225813532455467868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-75591792952043575792009-11-06T18:47:24.779-08:002009-11-06T18:47:24.779-08:00Oh man... I'm so bad at groups. Not that I ha...Oh man... I'm so bad at groups. Not that I have any problems with critiques-- I made it through art school just fine, and appreciate good critiques-- I'm just not a joiner. <br />I'd love to find a few people to read my work, but I think I'd have to do it over the internet. In person, it would give me panic attacks about the amount of time I'd be expected to devote to regular meetings, and more panic attacks over what to do if we end up not 'clicking'. <br />Yup. Internet would definitely be the way to go for me...<br />I suppose this means I have to join industry clubs too... Egads, I'm being forced to break out of my shell!<br /><br />Thanks natalie. As soon as my latest panic attack is over I promise to start looking for a crit group ;-)ann foxleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17292753544948906280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-75572997908921446182009-11-06T17:42:45.547-08:002009-11-06T17:42:45.547-08:00Great post!! My crit buddies are worth their weigh...Great post!! My crit buddies are worth their weight in gold and diamonds :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-90647374045045949482009-11-06T14:04:26.929-08:002009-11-06T14:04:26.929-08:00Thanks!
Now I understand the "alphas" ....Thanks!<br /><br />Now I understand the "alphas" . . .I was thinking alpha-reader like alpha-(fe)male, as in uber-reader. Heh.Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-44061796494939926062009-11-06T13:36:13.793-08:002009-11-06T13:36:13.793-08:00Susan, yes, that's what I meant. I have alpha ...Susan, yes, that's what I meant. I have alpha readers who read while I write (two of them), and then I edit and do betas for the full MS.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-77537864513205675982009-11-06T13:32:22.582-08:002009-11-06T13:32:22.582-08:00I don't know how writers survive without crit ...I don't know how writers survive without crit groups. In my non-writerly life, there are very few people who really "get" writing. Without my critters, my writerly life would be far less shiny and fun than it is.<br /><br />Thanks for being one of my shiny, fun critters :DSara Raaschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01196505323463444186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-46249407320160471992009-11-06T13:24:43.612-08:002009-11-06T13:24:43.612-08:00Wow really good post Natalie, my critique group Th...Wow really good post Natalie, my critique group The First Novels Club was just thinking about putting together a similar post.Frankie Diane Mallishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06066659801542129040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-75793384324173757752009-11-06T12:48:46.761-08:002009-11-06T12:48:46.761-08:00Yay for crit groups! They are absolutely a life sa...Yay for crit groups! They are absolutely a life saver.<br /><br />Also, I was going to correct you about Kasie, but looks like she beat me to it. :)Renee Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08170818341212519937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-89347639419673971642009-11-06T12:44:32.751-08:002009-11-06T12:44:32.751-08:00I've been fortunate enough to be part of a cri...I've been fortunate enough to be part of a critique group for over 4 years. It really is invaluable.<br /><br />Great post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-83502429365771511702009-11-06T12:44:31.145-08:002009-11-06T12:44:31.145-08:00I've been fortunate enough to be part of a cri...I've been fortunate enough to be part of a critique group for over 4 years. It really is invaluable.<br /><br />Great post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-36414911272791444332009-11-06T12:24:21.706-08:002009-11-06T12:24:21.706-08:00Great advice! Thanks for the how-to. I've had ...Great advice! Thanks for the how-to. I've had a bad experience with a local (face-to-face) writer's group -- a mish-mash of writers with varying degrees of skill and talent. The worst part was that no one had ever taught them HOW to critique. They made comments like 'I didn't like that' or 'That didn't work' or Not enough conflict' without any specifics. And some people were too harsh or just downright mean. I came out of there feeling lousy. With my new WIP, I am definitely going to be looking for better betas. You've given me some great ideas on where to go for them.Jenna Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07591399291903261245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-40924681257160629782009-11-06T12:17:19.109-08:002009-11-06T12:17:19.109-08:00I'm still branching out in the realm of betas,...I'm still branching out in the realm of betas, but I love the ones I have and the ways they help me!Mariah Irvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15181111151756005743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-53469777008708137132009-11-06T12:04:43.815-08:002009-11-06T12:04:43.815-08:00Are all your blog postings made of awesome? Becaus...Are all your blog postings made of awesome? Because I might have to go back and read the old ones . . .<br /><br />Totally agree that crit groups are essential, and starting your "own" group by selecting people you trust is the way to go (that's what I did).<br /><br />Also finding people in your genre is important - they <i>get</i> what you're doing more easily. <br /><br />Question: When you say "rounds of 2" do you mean you send your MS to two betas, wait for their feedback and then two betas more? And I'm assuming you ask for full novel critiques. <br /><br />Our crit group has weekly submissions of chapters, and I think there are some limitations to that, but so far only 2 of 9 of us have a full MS to share. I'm getting ready to get some full novel critiques on my MS, and I'm wondering if I should stagger it as you say.Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-43889938019425250792009-11-06T12:00:47.756-08:002009-11-06T12:00:47.756-08:00Thank you for sharing this advice! Can't wait ...Thank you for sharing this advice! Can't wait to find my own crit group :)Anita Saxenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12444339735834716979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-37364123697868521872009-11-06T11:48:56.759-08:002009-11-06T11:48:56.759-08:00Great thoughts, Natalie. I recently discovered you...Great thoughts, Natalie. I recently discovered your blog and have appreciated your ideas and advice. They've made me take a long look into my writing soul to see who I am as a writer and who I want to be.Krista Van Dolzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08830193414560232842noreply@blogger.com