Ingredients:
- 2-12 dedicated
authors (can be of different genres & formats; can be of
same genre & format)
- heaping doses of imagination
- heaping doses of respect
- heaping doses of sensitivity
- liberal doses
of gentle honesty (if you opt for brutal, critique group
will become too tough and hard to swallow)
- open-mindedness and creative
flexibility
- willingness to ask
questions and listen to answers
- generous sprinkles
of laughter (can use hysteria and guffaws if desired)
- timer (enables
fair attention paid to each author)
- cough drops
& water (enables requisite read-alouds)
- bathroom
& stretch breaks
- delicious food
- comfortable
setting (a cozy setting is even better, if you can find it)
- wine or
spirits (for after critiques are completed! Some may find wine or
spirits appropriate during, but proceed with caution)
- optional:
friendly dog and/or cat; fireplace; views (ocean, woodland, mountains,
etc.); anything else to enhance experience
_______________
Directions:
Gather ingredients
together on a regular basis. Stir with professionalism, exuberance,
imagination, and inspiration. Surprises may result. Quiet moments of reflection
may be required. Questions can be asked for which there may be no immediate or
clear answers. That's ok. Allow for staying open to possibilities; critique groups
vary based upon the ratio and balance of ingredients.
Caution: If each author doesn’t feel heard and
respected, the ratio of ingredients has gone awry and you will most assuredly
want to double-check your recipe.
Note: Every once in a while, it's a good idea to
add a one-time ingredient to this recipe, such as a professional editor or
published author who will provide a new voice and perspective to the discussion
– this can best be achieved over a weekend. For a sample taste of this sort of
enhanced group experience, go to this post from the Route 19 Writers blog.
This
recipe serves many, including a richer society of writers and readers.
(c) emma d dryden, drydenbks LLC
This sounds like the exact recipe I was served this past weekend - - and now, I'm ready for seconds.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Emma!
Route 19 Writers thank you.
Thanks so much, Dave! And cheers!
DeleteLove this, Emma! Not sure how to find this perfect stew, but oh it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteLet this be a guideline to starting your own critique group if you have to!
DeleteNicely put, Emma. Our critique group has been together for over seven years and we started with this recipe and have stayed with it. I would add that a good critique group is part writing, part support and part therapy.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right, Teresa!
DeleteWhat a lovely and creative post! The need for gentle—rather than brutal—honesty is an especially great point, as many writers (and editors) are already hard on themselves. Thanks for the reminder to tread lightly.
ReplyDeleteHow right you are, Sangeeta. Authors are toughest on themselves, so they need groups that feel safe.
Delete"feel safe" I like that, Emma!
ReplyDeleteWithin a safe haven the mind opens and unfolds creating a path of endless possibilites.
"I would add that a good critique group is part writing, part support and part therapy."
Teresa, I couldn't agree more!
What a fabulous recipe, Emma! Glad to see that it is fat-free and low on sugar. I prefer my critiques without sugar. I like the liberal dose of gentle honesty.
ReplyDeleteEmma, have you ever done a post on what can properly be shared from one's critique group?
ReplyDeleteSomeone asked me if Pen and Ink would do such a post and none of us are qualified to do so. I think it's an interesting subject. When has one stepped over the line when talking about a fellow critique group member's ideas. What are proper guidelines for casual mentions on Facebook?
I love and feel completely safe with Pen and Ink. But I like this fellow author very much and would love to see her concerns addressed.
If you would ever consent to guest post at Pen and Ink, we would love to have you.
penink04 at gmail dot com
Thank you for your comment and question. I've emailed you.
DeleteI love it! The perfect recipe for a productive critique group! :)
ReplyDeleteA wonderful recipe! Now all I need are the writers to be local and the brilliant editor(s) to be closer. Or for YBB to get here faster! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, I love your recipe. I would also like to add members with different literary strengths to keep things spicy.
ReplyDeleteI love my local SCBWI critique group, they are teaching me so much.
I belong to SCBWI in Canada East but too far away for any critique group so your recipe is a help. I have belonged to another group that did not function as you suggest and spent more time on marketing which is not the best point for writers (not at first anyway). Living in rural Ontario, I have come to write rather regional picture books and longer novels based on local history. It seems to work for me. I got some help from Laura Backs (write4children and CBI with Jon Bard) It is refreshing to read your report. May I share it on my blog please?
ReplyDeleteJane Buttery
www.truestorybooks.com
Thanks for your comments, Jane. You're welcome to link to my blog post on your own blog, and please note the content is (c) emma d dryden, drydenbks LLC. Thanks!
Delete