Writing is a solitary activity, but if you follow the 12 Steps for Writers you’ll want to get critiqued. Bringing our work to other people experienced in the craft will build community. Creative writing courses and conferences are all well and good, but a close-knit group can provide the support we need to grow as writers.
The traditional writers group is made of people reading their material followed by the others providing feedback. Some groups form based on genre (nonfiction, novels, children’s, romance) and some include a mixture. It’s recommended that there is a balance of skill levels, from the beginner to the more knowledgeable writer. There’s no wrong way to run a group: some like to have printed copies of what’s being read, some like to have somebody besides the author read the piece.
About two and a half hours a week, or every other week, should do it. Writers should do some revision and read their writing aloud at home before coming to the group to see how long it will take. Readings should be no longer than fifteen minutes in order to sustain the attention of the group. If time becomes an issue, use a timer or stop watch. Larger groups might want to limit readings to ten minutes. Other groups might want to give each writer twenty minutes to use as they wish—twelve minutes to read and eight for critique, seven to read and thirteen for critique, or ten and ten.
Each group needs a good leader—somebody who can keep things moving and under control. Using the guidelines below helps to keep a group running smoothly.
GUIDELINES FOR GIVING FEEDBACK ON A WRITERS WORK
1. Begin with a comment on something you enjoyed in the piece–something that worked well.
2. The content of a writer’s work is not open to criticism. A writer must be judged from a knowledge of technique, rather than the critic’s personal taste. If you are unsure whether your reaction is based on technique or taste, preface your comment with, “This may just be my opinion, but . . . .”
3. If you offer a comment about something that did not work for you, try to tell the writer WHY, and possibly offer a suggestion for revision that would work for you.
4. Don’t ask the writer to explain what was intended. If you didn’t get it, the writer needs to do some revising. Don’t ask what’s going to happen next in a story. You May comment on something that seems lacking, and say you hope it’s coming up soon.
5. Don’t hesitate to comment on picky stuff.
6. Don’t repeat comments already made, but mention if you agree or disagree with it. A writer may take consensus when critiquers disagree.
7. Don’t rewrite the writer’s story.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITERS READING IN THE WORKSHOP
1. The writer is not allowed to speak until all the critiques have been given, unless asked a specific question. If the writer has questions, they should be posed before the reading or after the critique.
2. The writer must not give details about what’s going to happen next in a story. This would interfere with feedback when that portion is read at a later time.
3. The writer must not explain the piece. If it wasn’t clear to others in the group, it needs to be revised and clarified. That’s what this is all about.
4. The writer must not argue with the critique, or defend the work. The group will tell the writer, honestly, tactfully, how they perceive the work. It is the writer’s prerogative to accept or reject the opinions of the group. We are not here to change people’s minds.
Here is an Adobe PDF version of these Critique Group Guidelines so you can print them out for your group.
Thanks for this! I’m starting a writing group here in Amsterdam and am just now realizing how serious and structured we have to be for it to be worth it. These guidelines will help a lot!