How does it work?

So you’re ready to set up a critique group or find a partner? Cool! Now comes the fun part! We’re going to first talk about how to set up a group, then we’ll talk about how to actually do the critiquing.

There are no real rules for setting up your critquership (like that new word?) Each group or partnership sets their own guidelines based on personality, work style, and need. Some are more specific and say something like: You can submit up to two chapters a week and you have to critique two chapters for every one that you submit. Some allow you to submit more chapters but you all agree to critique everything submitted. It just depends on the time availability of each member and what everyone agrees upon.

I do recommend that you set up a process for suggesting changes to the agreed upon guidelines. You don’t want to find out two years down the road that it wasn’t really working for anyone, but no one wanted to speak up, even though a simple tweak would have made it perfect.

If writers are already successful, will they want to take on a beginner?

Some won’t–but those won’t be the ones who put themselves out there to accept new members to a group. Those folks probably already have a tight group in place and you won’t find them looking for new members.

Plus, everyone is at a different stage in their development. For example, when I joined my first group, I was the only “published” book author in my critique group, but I probably had the most to learn. Some of them were Genesis finalists and had won other awards. Some of them have been writing and studying craft for a decade or more. But I could help them with the publishing aspect–queries, proposals, etc–and they helped me with the technicals of the writing, plotting, etc.

Also, even if your work needs help, it’s far easier to see the flaws in something someone else wrote than in something you’re very close to. And, we all need to hear what average readers AND seasoned professional think–everyone falls between those two categories somewhere. So, as long as your style, personality and availability are a match, a group could be made up of any blend of writers at any stage of their career.

Questions to Ask Potential Partners

1. In what genre’ are you each writing?

2. What stage are you at with your current WIPs?

3. What’s your experience level?

4. How much do you think you’d need critiqued per week? 2 chapters? 1 chapter? Sometimes you won’t have any, of course, but when things are moving, what is your expected rate?

5. How much time can you see being able to give to critiquing other’s work?

6. Are you open to critiquing other things as needed? Proposals, queries, publicity materials? Or do you just want to stick with manuscripts?

7. Do you all have experience with MS Track Changes? If not, are you willing to learn?

It’s really important that everyone be realistic and honest about their own availability and expectations. Everyone doesn’t have to be exactly the same, in fact, diversity can work well if the fit is right. But, problems arise when miscommunication gets a group off to a rocky start.

Track Changes

Okay, so you’ve figured out how to get going. Now what do you do when someone submits work for you to critique?

Here are some videos you can use to learn how to use track changes. It’s a great way to make comments or changes in a document so everyone can easily identify which were your thoughts as opposed to the original author’s words.

MS Word 2010

MS Word 2007

At this point, there’s not a whole lot more to say expect, let’s get to it! We’re going to open up submissions for anyone who would like to connect with other writers for critique. You should submit 250 words–usually one page–and we’d prefer the first page because that first-paragraph hook is so important. Your pages will be critiqued by some of our conference staff, so you get the feel for personal critique.

On February 25^th we’ll announce the March event along with more information on our new critique groups. See you back next week!

Please send your critique submissions to Neumeier(dot)shellie(at)gmail(dot)com.