4 Reasons You Need a Critique Group

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For the next month, I’ll periodically blog about the gifts that you can give yourself as a writer. One of the most valuable is a critique group or accountability group.

One – A Critique Group is There for You

Even if your family is supportive, there are going to be things they don’t understand. The same holds true for your non-writing friends.

I know this because my husband is super supportive. Every time I question myself or my work, he is there for me. But every once in a while, he says something that raises my hackles. The worst was when he told me that it would be lot more efficient if I could just focus and get everything done in one draft. No rewrites.

I nearly used my keyboard on him. Not to worry. It’s cordless. I wouldn’t have yanked anything off the desk. But the members of your critique group have been where you are. They get the joys and the pain. You need someone who understands.

Two – When Your Perspective Is Shot

It might be a rejection letter that just sets you off. Or an offer that seems to good to be true, but you can’t see that. Because they want you and your work!

The beauty of a critique group is that they have perspective even when you don’t. They’ve had rejections and they know your work. They can tell you if the comment in the reject has some merit, even if it was poorly worded. They can make the connection between the offer you got and the scam one of them just read about.

Four or five heads really are better than one!

Three – Breadth of Knowledge

Whether you are looking for a publisher or a key piece of research, someone else very likely knows the fact you need. One of the women in my critique group know so many of the available classes and workshops. In my accountability group, one of our members is up on literary journals and a whole host of agents.

There is more out in the publishing world than any one person can keep track of. You can benefit from the breadth of knowledge of those in your group.

Four – Valuable Feedback

I actually know someone who never has anyone read their work before it goes to their editor or agent. I don’t get that. I need that feedback. Sure, sometimes I suspect that there’s a problem but I’m not willing to fully recognize it. I need another set of eyes to assure me that, no, that doesn’t really work.

Worse yet are the times that I’m sure it does work and then someone points out that the theme in my picture book isn’t strong enough. Rita always asks, “What is this story about? Yeah? Make that come through in the writing.”

Again, no matter what you write, other people will have other strengths. One woman in my group is a grammar nerd. Me? Not so much. Then there’s Rita of the big picture. And all of the people who come up with sources that I can use when I tell them I am researching a certain topic.

If you don’t have a writing group, put it on your gift list to yourself. You will be so glad that you did.

–SueBE

Find Your People

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Yesterday I read an article by author Sean Williams called “10 1/2 Commandments of Writing.” You can (and should) check it out here. The one that really caught my attention was commandment 10.5. In short, find Your People.

Every now and again the importance of this is driven home to me. Next week, I’m taking part in a blog tour for Naomi Nakashima’s Write Out Loud. Reading parts of her book, I was astounded by how badly she had needed the support of fellow writers when she was starting out. Simply put, her husband didn’t get why she wanted to write and was a complete butt about it. (Note: Those are my words not hers. Maybe she would be kinder. This was me being very, very tolerant and forgiving.)

Any-hoo, whether it is for emotional support or simply to have the support and knowledge of fellow writers, it is vital for us to find our people. In my opinion, this is easier than it used to be because the internet has created a global community. You may be the only writer in your small town, but you aren’t the only writer on Facebook or Twitter. You can find an organization specific to your type of writing.

That’s how I connected with the ladies in my critique group. As a new writer, I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I have met a wide variety of writers, researchers, illustrators and more. Some of us live in Missouri. Some of us live in the same part of Missouri. But not all of us and in truth we became a stronger group when COVID drove us online. We connected with several writers who aren’t in our immediate area. Through my volunteer work with the organization, I’m connected to writers all over the world.

As you look for your writing people, don’t limit yourself to only those people who write what you write. You can, but you’re likely to miss out on some amazing support if that is how you do it. Through the Muffin, I have connected with another global community of writers. In fact, there are a group of us who hold each other accountable, critique, and help each other market our work. While most of us are in the US, one member is in Australia.

Whether you are working to find a critique group or an accountability group or just a group of writing friends, the internet can help. Also look for writing events in your area. As so many of us are introverts, this isn’t going to be the easiest thing but it is well worth your while to connect and find a writing community or three. You never know when one of them will know exactly what you need to finish a piece of writing, market it, or simply make your day.

–SueBE

Loving What You Do: A Strong Support System Helps

Writing is, as we know, a lot of work. Everything we submit has to be written and rewritten and rewritten some more.  In my own experience, it is easiest to love what we do when we have a support network.

One of the most essential parts of this network is a group of fellow writers.  For many of us that is a critique group, writers who will read our work and help us make it better.  Last year, I also discovered the beauty of an accountability group.  I don’t know how other groups of this kind function but mine does do some critiquing.  We also post goals and cheer each other on.  We give advice and hold each others hands. It’s pretty amazing.

The online writing community.  If you are reading this, you are probably aware of the community of writers to be found online.  This is how my accountability group “knows” each other.  We don’t even all live on the same continent although two of us are within a few miles of each other.  It’s great to be able to reach across the miles and connect with someone who knows what you are experiencing.

It is also pretty amazing to have friends and family who support you as a writer.  Today, I have an outline and first chapter due.  My husband cooked dinner last night, making pancake batter and flipping them on my favorite cast iron griddle.  He’d already put in a full day at his desk job but he knew I had half a book to outline.  He also helped me brainstorm sidebar ideas.

Last but not least, it is great to have fans.  While I’d like to think there are numerous young readers who love my work, there’s one that I hear from regularly.  A friend’s daughter, I’ve known her since she was a toddler.  She has latched onto my Evolution books and sends me periodic notes.  “I’m reading this part now. I love animals!” It’s great to know someone is actively reading my work.

I hope you are lucky enough to have a people who get you and what you do!

–SueBE