Writing Groups

Writing Groups

Writers’ groups can be lots of help, inspiration, and encouragement. Finding the right group for you may not be easy. The only way I know is by trial and error. Even in groups that may be more social than intense writing, you meet other writers and wannabes. There is always the possibility of connecting with a kindred spirit apart from the group to read each other’s work.

If you have a university near you, they often have short courses or enrichment courses, or community outreach courses in beginning writing. This can be a great way to start with a moderated critique group and to get some teacher feedback too.

Finding and choosing writing buddies or readers is a real art that depends a lot on different personalities and luck. Joining local writing groups, taking community enrichment courses at the local university, or even joining an on-line group are all possible ways to find other writers. Going to seminars and writing conferences can help connect you. A caution here to go slowly. If the group or writing buddy isn’t making you feel good about your writing, then keep looking. You’re not looking for false praise, but your group or writing buddy should energize you.

RUNNING NAKED IN THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

As you start to critique others, you learn more about how people read and look at your work. After you grow out of writer’s adolescence and the sensitivity to criticism and the need for validation subsides, you will find another very real problem.

Just as we are proud of ourselves to be able to let the praise and the criticism stay in perspective, we realize that our work reveals more about ourselves than we ever imagined, like running naked in the Fourth of July parade. Why would anyone want to do that? I sure don’t.

Maybe there is no solution to that. Perhaps it’s like getting a medical exam, just something you endure. Perhaps it’s more like a fan dancer, just keep moving the fans fast enough, nobody will notice or know what really is being revealed. Perhaps it’s like being in the Garden of Eden, everyone accepts it for what it is. Public writing is not like private writing and it may not be for everyone.

Writers, write. Write, right now.

Feedback

CRITIQUE

Critique, criticism, feedback, reading partners, and writing groups challenge the writer to view her work in new ways. Other new writers may find this part of the process as I did, difficult. Looking more for validation than improvement, any comment tends to be taken negatively. Signs that this was happening included feeling like the person missed the point of my story, didn’t understand the technique, or was just jealous. I found myself trying to explain my work or defending it; I had some growing to do. But just like the teenager, oversensitive to every pimple and dismissing all the positive comments, I grew out it, but not without pain.

This period of writer adolescence can be soften by joining a moderated group or an introductory writers enrichment short course at a local university. Find one that does group critiques. The teacher or moderator usually sets down guidelines to critiquing that try to eliminate comments that may be too destructive and can help sooth wounds when comments seem to strike at one’s core.

Writers need perspective on their work because usually they are too close to it to properly evaluate it. It is only through critique that perspective is obtained. This is an important part of the polishing of the writing.

Critique became more useful to me after I made up my mind to three things:

1. I would believe and enjoy the positive comments.
2. Never over react to negative criticism.
3. Keep an open mind.

Rejoice in favorable comments. These are easy to ignore because they don’t seem to tell us how we can improve. Really they are very important. After all aren’t we trying to reach an audience. How better to reach that audience than to write what they respond to and like?

Critiques are about the work not about you or your aspirations to be a writer. When negative comments result in us feeling self doubt, wondering why we continue to write when we have so little talent, we are over reacting. When we totally ignore negative comments, we are over reacting.

The balance point is to study the comments. Try to understand what they are saying and calmly evaluate what you can do to solve the stated problem. Rewrite the work to solve the problem even if you think it not worth the ink to print it. Of course, save the original. Then after a few days go back and read the two versions and keep the one that is best. Keeping an open mind will in the long run be easier on you the writer and will improve your writing.

I love all comments because they give me what I can not have by myself, perspective. You will probably find that the best parts of your best works draw the most comments, good and bad. Remember this and don’t be too ready to throw out a phrase or paragraph that draws a lot of negative attention. Often it seems to me that the very reason that some people find trouble reading a paragraph is the same reason why some people love it. Keep an open mind. Write a cure for each problem, then wait, review, and keep those that you the writer feel are best.

Really hurt or burned or angry with a critique? Wonderful! Write about it! Write with passion. Do it right now!