What to Look for in a Writing Critique Group

Most writers would agree that writing is an intensely personal process. Eventually, though, someone is going to read what you write, if you plan to write for a living. You'll probably want someone's opinion, possibly their advice, before launching your work into a more public venue-- or onto an editor's desk. Who better to ask for advice than a critique group? Critique groups function exactly as the name implies: a group of writers gather to critique each others' work. These groups can be found at local libraries, colleges, coffee shops, anywhere that writers gather to talk shop. Finding a critique group might be a challenge; personalities, critiquing styles, and attitudes toward writing make each group different. Those differences aside, there are four things every critique group should have in common, and you can remember these easily by the acronym H.E.L.P.

Honesty. If you went to your doctor and you had gained twenty pounds, he wouldn't be a very good doctor if he didn't mention the effect it could have on your health. Likewise, a good critique group or partner shouldn't look at a glaring issue with your writing and keep silent. Sometimes, people won't mention a problem with another person's writing because they don't want to hurt their feelings. Others might sabotage another writer due to professional jealousy by simply reassuring them that everything is fine with their manuscript when there are glaring inconsistencies in plot or numerous grammatical or formatting errors.

Taking the step of joining a critique group says something about a writer. It says they feel ready to put their work in front of an audience and accept the criticism that results. In fact, they're asking for criticism. In a critique setting, withholding that information is like saying, "I don't feel like giving your work the attention it deserves. I don't feel like fulfilling the request you made by showing up." Every critique member deserves honesty. That doesn't mean anyone should be needlessly cruel or that they should mock your work, but you're asking for criticism. You should receive it.

Equality. Everyone in the group should get equal time to share their work, and everyone's opinions should carry equal weight. No one should be treating the group like their personal recital. Some groups set a timer to keep them on track, so that no one member takes more time than another. Others set page limits. Sometimes, discussion of one writer's work runs a bit longer than discussion of other work, but this shouldn't be a regular occurrence. Everyone should receive equal attention.

Likewise, every opinion should receive equal weight. Don't discount the criticisms of a less-experienced writer simply because you believe you know more than them, and don't take the criticism of a published author more seriously simply because they are published.

Listening. If you're going to go to a critique group and ask for the criticisms of the people there, give them the respect of listening. Too often, writers attend a critique group and are disheartened, even angered, when they find that the other writers have found flaws within their work. They might argue or try to explain away the critique. All that does is waste time and energy that would be better focused at the writing.

Consider this: though you may be able to explain to your critique group why the apparently plot problem in your story really isn't a problem at all, you might not be there to offer that explanation when someone else reads your story. Instead of telling the group that your elven hero was raised by a mage and therefore his magic skills come naturally to him, listen to your group and put the explanation in your writing. You joined a critique group to improve your writing. If you don't listen to the criticisms you receive, there's not point in belonging to a critique group in the first place!

Protection. Although no one wants to believe that it can happen to them, the sad fact is that plagiarism exists. Sometimes it happens by accident, when a line or a plot seems to come from thin air, but is really something remembered from another writer's work. Unfortunately, though, it is sometimes intentional, and every critique group should have a plan in place to protect themselves.

One way to protect the group from plagiarism is to distribute copies of the work being reviewed for each member to sign and date. This will provide a record of who read the work, and when. Another option is to mail a copy of your work to yourself and leave the postmarked envelope sealed. This is known as the "poor man's copyright" and will prove that whatever you have written was produced before the date on the postmark.

In the event that plagiarism occurs, the group should be able to discuss it openly and honestly, even if it occurred accidentally. Any member who is found to have plagiarized another author on purpose should not be invited back to the group, as members should be able to share their work without fear of losing it.

Critique groups are possibly the single most important tool for writers. With some research and effort, you'll be able to find the one that is the right fit for you.