There are many benefits to writing critique groups. I’m a massive fan of them, as you may’ve noticed from previous posts (and book dedications 😉). First and foremost, I hugely appreciate the accountability aspect of meeting weekly to share my work with other writers. That goes a long way toward engaging my creative muscle and keeping me motivated to write.
Writing is largely a solitary art form and occupation. But there’s also the need for feedback on your work and support from fellow writers. Some authors excel at working solo; others thrive with human interaction. I’m sort of a mix, an introverted extrovert. I enjoy working on my own with minimal supervision and distractions, but I absolutely need and value the input of my writing colleagues.
Even though I love writing, (maybe too much? 😉), I find it very challenging at times. Writing, especially for an audience or to sell your books, is both a joy and an act of will at times. The discipline needed to sit and create is huge. Adding to the pressure, I self-publish my books. Which means I set my own deadlines and strive to achieve them without the incentive of formal, real-world repercussions. There are, of course, those personal penalties my brain dishes out in the form of self-castigation, but let’s not linger on those. 😉
And for me, as for many, though the desire to create is always there, the creativity itself, the spurt of inspiration, the flood of words, is frequently and frustratingly elusive.
Sometimes, I just don’t have the energy or resourcefulness to motivate myself all on my own. Sometimes, I need the enthusiastic shove in the bum that my writer pals have given me over the years. When I feel I’m slogging along, spewing garbage, caught up in all the craziness of everyday life, their encouraging, insightful words are more galvanizing than anything I can do on my own.
Enter the Critique Group.
Yes, critique groups can be a challenge to find, join, start, and fill, but the benefits are considerable when you discover the right fit. Mind you, there are loads of blog posts about how to find and/or form your own group. Here’s a link to a thorough article on Novlr.org that covers many of the steps: Writer’s Critique Groups and How to Form Them – Novlr.
There’s also a good bit about these groups that’s helpful to understand before participating. To that end, here’s another good, longer read that dives into the pros and cons: The Truth About Critique Groups. Lessons learned by writers on the many… | by Teri Daniels | The Writing Cooperative.
So, what’s my story? When I first began to seriously write and edit, I found a couple of local writers’ meetings to participate in. Though large, infrequent, and multifaceted, they taught me many writing basics, and those general meetings were the jumping-off point for finding my first critique group.
Over the years, the first group slowly evolved into the second, and the second unfortunately dissolved as members stopped writing, drifted, or passed away. Ah, life. Some would say the transitions are inevitable. They were precious to me, though, and I’m forever grateful to you guys for everything … you know who you are!
Through those first two forays, I learned not only how to write better, but also how to more usefully interact with other writers, readers, and editors.
I learned the discipline of sharing weekly writing, I grew a thicker skin with the helpful criticisms I received, and I discovered how to offer positive assessments to others and what to look for in their writing. So, I became both a better writer and a better reader and editor myself. In short, I learned a lot.
Now, after a couple years of mayhem (AKA, life), I’ve started a new group. We’re fledgling still, but we’re beginning to find our own groove, our own rhythm. And everyone is so enthusiastic … it feels great to once again be part of a band of writers who want to help each other improve their craft. I’m grateful to start this next journey with these guys (and you know who you are!).
So, where am I going with all this? Having these weekly critique meetings forces me to plant my butt in the chair and either write or edit. Every week. (I can’t say every day, because though tons of fab authors/writers do write every day, I don’t want to force my writing until I hate it. My discipline is to produce working material every week, Monday to Friday.)
Knowing I have an external deadline, and interested, encouraging partners who want to read my work, is what keeps me accountable and keeps me motivated to produce. And the more productive a writer I am, the more the creativity flows and the smoother. Like lubricating the lovely creative cogs.
So, for those of you struggling with the discipline, maybe it’s time you find a critique group. More so than the general, all-encompassing writers’ groups, you may just find a circle of supportive, encouraging, thoughtful, and inspiring writers who motivates you to keep your bum in the seat, and who gives you the straightforward means to stay accountable. This is huge for me. Let me know if it is for you, too … please drop a comment below! Happy trails to you and keep writing! 😉
Before I sign off, in a similar vein, here’s a link to an old post of mine about finding a mentor. This is another great way to work with someone who’s been around the block and can teach you more about writing and the business. Keep this in mind!
