Online Writing Critique Groups

Some of the women in my critique group

NOTE:  Before getting to today's topic. This blog is at Ranked Blogs--the Top 45. Each blog receives votes to move up the ladder. Yesterday, Writer Granny's World was #1. Wow! It shocked me. I'd love to stay in that top tier. If you have not already voted, would you give me a vote at this web page? 

The photos above were taken at the last conference sponsored by my online critique group. Mine is an international group for women. We run around 24 to 28 members. Some come and stay a short time, while others have been in the group for many years. They form the core that makes this group sing. Not all members are shown here. I was missing from this last conference as were some others.

We are all ordinary women who live in differents parts of the USA, Canada and a few across the sea.

The woman in the top photo on the far left in the back row is Joyce. She is our Moderator, or Mother Hen as we refer to her. Recently, Joyce asked the members what they wanted from a critique group and what they had received from our group.

Here are the answers I gave to her questions: 

What I want from an online group:

1.  to help polish my work so it is submittable

2.  to give me both praise where due and criticism, also where it is due. I like to know both the good and bad areas of what I sub

3.  to develop friendships with other writers on an informal, even tho online, basis

4.  to receive marketing suggestions

What I get from our online group:

1.  honest and fair crits

2.  praise as well as helpful criticism

3.  friendship

4.  marketing suggestions

5.  opinions on many phases of writing

6.  exposure to all types of writing

7.  a chance to attend a super good conference now and then

8.  a chance to learn from reading the crits of other members

One of the nice things about an online critique group is that you can attend any time, wearing your pajamas or your best dress. My inbox is filled with emails from individuals in the group--submissions, critiques, OT (Other Topic chats), helpful marketing tips, and brags from those who have had publishing success.

There are myriad online writing critique groups. Check your favorite search engine to find them. Check out this page for just a few. Some are for all genres of writing while others are more specific, such as memoir or poetry only.

Not every person who critiques your work will feel the same way. Some will praise while others point out places where you might revise for clarity, to add a bit of humor, or more sensory details, or to add tension. When more than one person tells me a certain section needs this or that, I pay attention. If five people zero in on the same trouble spot, you'd better be ready to make some changes. If only one person out of ten who do a critique suggests a change, consider it but keep it as is if you feel strongly. Sometimes one opinion is not necessarily the right one. Or it might be! Like all things, we need to sift and sort. You are the one who decides what should or should not be changed.

You might not find the right group for you on the first try. There is nothing wrong in joining a group and then leaving it if you don't feel comfortable. You might need to try several before you find a place where you feel there is a good fit. 

If you're a beginning writer, your group needs might be different from what a seasoned writer looks for. Some groups are public and others are private. Mine is private and membership attained by application and a writing sample, then approval from a majority of the group. It is also not for beginning writers. I started many years ago in a critique group that allowed writers of all calibers. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from writers who were much farther along on the writing journey than I was. 

If you join a group that does nothing but toss out praise because they don't want to hurt your feelings, move on. You will not learn from that type of group. If you have trouble accepting criticism, perhaps an online critique group is not for you. If this is the case, I'd urge you to work on being able to take criticism of your work. It's the only way you will grow as a writer. Keep in mind that those people are not attempting to make you miserable. They are trying to help you on your way to publication.