About Critique Groups

A Southern Breeze Listserv member, Connie Fleming, posted the first message (listed below) which prompted numerous replies of praise for critique groups (a few are also listed). Several members who were looking for groups spoke up as well. Hence, this "matchmaking" webpage was born. Members, sharing ideas, enhance our regions' growth and success. Thanks for your input, Southern Breeze!

All our best,
Jo Kittinger & Donna Bowman
Southern Breeze Regional Advisors

The value of a great critique group
Posted by: Connie Fleming

Hey all you Breezers,

I rarely post to the list, but I read. I guess that would make me a lurker. But today I want to say something. If you want to write, and write well, get into a critique group. If you write for children, be sure it's a children's writers' group.

The recipe for a good critique group is multiple layers of talent, or different degrees of talent. Your writing skills won't improve unless some of the writers are better at it than you. "What about the ones who are the best in the group?" you ask. How will they benefit? Even a not-so-talented writer can offer insights and suggestions. I know, my group says that I do, on occasion. I'm often so awed by the wonderful writing that I just read and forget to critique.

Not everyone can find a fantastic group like the one I'm in. When you go to conferences, look for other writers from your area. Talk to them, network with other writers. Yes, we want to meet editors and we want them to remember us, but honestly, they meet so many people, it would be virtually impossible for them to remember one little ol' Southern writer. You have to make your writing memorable--in a good way. We all have stories we hope NO ONE remembers.

If you don't find someone to meet with in your area, remember email. You could organize an online group. Build a group! It's up to you. Keep the group small, four to six people at the most. Our group meets once a month, but some meet weekly. Set a specific time. It pushes you to finish something, or at least move forward with it.

Now, are you wondering what critique group I'm in? I thought you would never ask. We are WING's (Writers In North Georgia). In alphabetical order:

Nancy Craddock, third and fourth place winner in last year's Smart Writer contest and author of several short stories soon to be published.

Maureen McDaniel, teacher of gifted children, and author of published short stories.

Mary Ann Rodman, award winning author of MY BEST FRIEND, YANKEE GIRL and FIRST GRADE STINKS

Susan Rosson Spain, winner of the 2006 SB writing contest, author of THE DEEP CUT, (a wonderful Civil War novel) coming out this fall. (You can pre-order it from Amazon) Buy it! You won't be sorry.

And moi, Connie Fleming, contact person for the East Metro Area (Atlanta). Sometimes I wonder why they let me stay in the group. :o) But I'm very glad they do.

Re: The Value of a great critique group
Posted by: Kathleen Bradshaw
[Winner of the 2006 Southern Breeze Illustration Contest]

Our group is the result of an email sent by Susan Whitley MacMahan asking if any artists were interested in organizing a critique group. Robyn, Paula, and I responded. We discovered that we all live within 15 miles of each other, and picked a centrally located Starbucks for our meetings. The first time we all brought samples of our work and got to know each other. It didn't take long to bond. We try to get together once a month if possible. Sometimes life gets crazy and more time goes by, but we keep in touch via email and continue to encourage each other that way.

Between coffees, we set goals for one another. One of them was to come up with something for the Illustration contest. We only got to meet once before the deadline. But it was during that critique that they suggested I move "PJ" closer to the trunk and change from a horizontal composition to a vertical one. It worked much better. Susan and Robyn had some great entries as well. Paula is working on a wonderful picture book. It has been fun watching that progress.

Talent is a great gift to have, but nothing grows in a vacuum. The energy and inspiration I get from my friends is immeasurable.

Re: The Value of a great critique group
Posted by: Susan Rosson Spain
[Winner of the 2006 Southern Breeze Novel Writing Contest]

I wholeheartedly agree, Connie. A writer's group is so important for motivation, for feedback, for celebration when things go well and also for diluting the pain when they don't go so well.

I'd never have finished THE DEEP CUT without my group. It is a better novel for having listened to you all.

Thank you, Connie for writing this message encouraging other writers to find a group. One who supports them, challenges them, and makes them the writers they know dwell within. One like ours.

Re: The Value of a great critique group
Posted by: Robyn Hood Black

Thanks, Connie! You are so on target. My critique group (BookBound Writers and Illustrators Group) is a few miles up the road from you in Cumming. (Some of us travel south to get there; others north.) One of our members, Denise Carleton, put together a website for us at: www.bookboundwig.com. We are Donna Bowman, Heather Kolich, K. D. Bryant, John Witkowski, Helen Sawyer, Paula Puckett, Denise, and yours truly.

Sometimes I have to remember to actually share news with my husband first before I run to the computer or the phone! Conferences are wonderful, but there is no substitute for regular feedback from folks who support you and aren't afraid to tell you the truth! ;0)

Re: The Value of a great critique group
Posted by: Paula Puckett

Hello Breezers,

I am fortunate to be with two different groups, and they are such a valued part of my writing, drawing and creative spirit. I'd like to thank them, and encourage you to find or create a great critique group of your own.

The first group is a blend of writers and illustrators. We are Book Bound (www.bookboundwig.com) and Donna, Robyn, Helen, Heather, John, Katrice and Denise, I would be sitting all alone in an empty studio if it wasn't for you. Okay, well, I still mumble out loud when I'm reading manuscripts to myself, but that's another story. <G>

The other group I work with is a group of illustrators, and I'm honored Kathleen mentioned us. It was very exciting to watch this year's Illustration Contest winner, Kathleen Bradshaw, work on her piece for the SB contest. She is very talented, as you have seen. Kathleen, Robyn Hood Black, Susan Whitley McMahan and I critique work, share drawing tips, drink a lot of coffee and eat desserts when we get together. Sometimes we take field trips. We always come away inspired and ready to get back to the drawing board.

A good writing group lets you read your work out loud to them as well, and they'll tell you if your ramblings make any sense or what to change if you need to. They'll also give you hints about what you might look at, or if necessary, put it right up in front of your face. And since you know that your group is there to help you with your writing, you know that what they are doing is to help you make your work the best it can be. They inspire, teach, comfort, commiserate, and celebrate with you.

And I am finding that a good illustrating group does the same thing... when you have the opportunity to work with others who create artwork, especially if it's in a different media than what you use, you find that you learn how to make your work even better than before. If you ask Kathleen how she did that illustration, be prepared to be sit for a while and be inspired. I know I was. :)

So I feel honored to have these amazing writers and illustrators around me. And I don't have one great critique group. I have TWO.