Critique Groups for Writers
If you’re a writer looking for encouragement and help with your writing, you’re in the right place. This month we consider how a critique group is of value to the solitary writer.
Critique Groups—How We Help Each Other as Writers
Writers who desire to present their best work to a publisher or magazine editor often look for a critique group. Critique groups can also be helpful for those desiring to self-publish. Meeting once a month is good, allowing writers to bring new material each time or rework a manuscript chapter. Workshopping is another word that could be used to refer to the group activity.
It’s important to offer positive comments as well as areas a writer can consider to improve the work. The author chooses which comments best serve their needs when revising. If several members comment on the same area, it’s worth consideration.
Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, a critique partner can help you clarify your work by asking questions. For example, Why this piece at this time? For poetry, the questions will differ. You might also hear these questions:
- Who is your audience? Is it for a general or specific audience?
- What is the purpose of the writing? Is it meant to teach, inspire or encourage?
- Where will this piece be submitted?
Each member of our group presents their work by email. In our online group, one person sends out the pieces to each member who’s indicated they plan to attend.
When everyone has gathered, a designated leader directs the members to read and give feedback, in which all members participate. A newer writer considering the group might choose to participate just by being there and giving their impressions.
The next step is to have someone else read the text, so the writer hears how it sounds. Then the members of the group give overall and specific feedback that can include these points:
For nonfiction:
- A fact in a nonfiction piece that doesn’t ring true
- The tone of the piece and language used; does it meet the audience it’s intended for?
- An argument not fully balanced or an agreement accepted too quickly on a controversial topic.
For fiction
- An action that feels out of character or context for the character
- Does the character feel real, as though you could sit down and have a conversation?
- Evidence of strong research on the area of interest
- Pieces that don’t fit the time period in a historical novel; a watch where none would have existed, for example
- Dialogue that seems stilted or conveys too much information
- A balanced amount of description to dialogue
- No resolution or growth for a main character at the end of the story
For poetry
- Use of poetic devices
- Can words be omitted?
- The overall feel of the poem and the direction it’s going
There are many such examples online that you can learn from, but your best experience will come from members you get to know who give fair and honest critique and an appreciation for how you grow as a writer.
You may have your own questions before your piece is read, such as, “Was there a place where you stopped reading because it tripped you up?” or “Where did you lose interest?”
Here’s a list of sites to explore for further consideration:
Questions for critique partners
Questions to ask for critiquing
Tough questions for critique groups
How to do fiction critique
If you are not part of a critique group already but wish to start one, here’s some wise advice and a guide for critique groups:
Meeting regularly is a good thing. Our group members present various genres from fantasy to contemporary and historical fiction, writing with an inspirational focus, poetry, and sometimes children’s stories too. For me, it has built confidence in my writing and a challenge to have something ready each month to share with the group.
Since writing is such a solitary endeavour, helping each other makes us better at what we do. A weakness I may not see in my own work will be more visible to others, and it’s also encouraging to hear where I have met my mark in a manuscript piece.
Remember that, even with a critique group, final editing by a trained professional within your area of expertise will help you polish your work even further.
Carolyn R. Wilker is a writer, editor, writing instructor and storyteller from Kitchener, Ontario, with publication credits in articles, op-eds, devotionals, poetry, and her books, Once Upon a Sandbox, Harry’s Trees, Les arbres de Harry, Piece by Piece, Travelling Light and the most recent Discover Your Story. She is also a contributor to anthologies including Grandmothers’ Necklace, Wisdom of Old Souls, Hot Apple Cider with Cinnamon, and Good Grief People. She blogs at storygal.ca