Critique groups can be the bomb-diggity. Slang aside, a great critique group can accelerate a writer’s growth in their craft.
And of course, on the opposite end of the spectrum, a critique group can be an immense time suck with very little return.
Even worse, it can steal a writer’s joy and shake their confidence. Today’s Teaching Corner is going to focus on how to get the most oomph out of a critique group.
What Is a Critique Group?
A critique group is a group of writers who agree to meet on a consistent basis in order to exchange feedback on each other’s writing.
Find a Critique Group When . . .
- You want to be with your people. Those people who “get” what it’s like to have words living inside you that must be written down. Revised. Shared.
- You want to grow as a writer. You’re ready to learn and practice new skills.
- You are ready for honest feedback, even when it stings. You can give yourself space and time to feel the disappointment, and then you can review the feedback with some objectivity.
- You have time to share your own expertise and feedback to partners.
- You enjoy supporting other writers.