Critique Guidelines

How critique groups run their sessions varies...how often and for how long they meet, and whether they take pages home to read and comment on, is all up to the individual group. It's up to you to find a group that meshes well with your schedule, writing style, and level of expertise.

The following is what works for us. 


What is critique? The group will listen to your work, follow along on your copies, and make comments. Comments will be specific, not ambiguous like, “That was nice,” which is ‘nice,’ but not useful. Critique is given and received in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

Guidelines:

CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. We are here to help each other become better writers. It’s about the writing. It’s subjective, but only one person’s opinion OF THE WORK, not of you or your beliefs. In general, style and voice ARE personal, so keep comments to plot, character, dialogue, consistency, etc.

DON’T ARGUE.  When receiving critique, you don’t have to defend or explain your work. If you feel a long explanation coming on, put more of it in the story. If it didn’t come across, you’ve missed a woo (window of opportunity). The person who will read your work will not have the advantage of hearing you explain it.

BE RESPECTFUL. When giving critique, this is not YOUR writing. Offer comments on what works as well as what doesn’t. Members should be working toward the goal of improving their craft and publishing. You are encouraged to submit revised, edited work. Second time submissions should show careful consideration of previous critiques.

QUANTITY AND FORMAT.  Be considerate. Although we know that sometimes you need to read a larger chunk, alternate between long (9-10 or more pages) and short (3-7 or fewer pages). In order for everyone to get their fair share of time, people reading one week will be put on the bottom of the list for the next time they attend. Always bring something to read just in case there aren’t enough readers. Support others by coming even if you have nothing to read, or read the previous week. Bring copies. Double-space your text, use 1” margins all the way around (about 25 lines per page), and use Times 12 pt or something similar. Warn us if it contains content or language that might offend in case someone wants to leave for that reading.

MAKE COMMENTS.  Everyone is encouraged to comment. The person sitting on the reader’s right will comment first, and so on around the table.  Except for answering specific questions, please be quiet while comments are being made. This is to encourage critique and also allow time for more reading. If you need clarification, please ask as succinctly as possible and avoid tangents like the weather or sports. That goes for those giving AND receiving comments. To allow as many as possible to read, sometimes we need to limit our critique time to no more than five minutes per person. Make verbal comments on things that need it, all others should be written on the copy… punctuation, spelling, grammar, double words, etc. (anything that can be written and understood, should be).

LISTEN to the other critiques. Don’t repeat what someone else has said, but DO say if you agree, or not and why.

DON’T CRITIQUE OR EXPLAIN SOMEONE ELSE’S CRITIQUE.  Lively debate is encouraged, but be respectful at all times, and keep your comments focused. We are here to learn the craft of writing.

NOTE: After contacting us and having an email conversation with Amy and Candace, you will probably be invited to attend. Attending is a privilege that can be revoked if these guidelines are ignored. We are open to writers at all stages of their careers, but no one wants someone in the group who hogs all the time, doesn't listen to anything anyone says, argues, attacks, or generally makes everyone else's life hellish.

p.s. We reserve the right to define hellish.



The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.  —Albert Camus


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