Like many things, writing (that is, writing with the aim of publication) is a process. It's a pretty established one at this point, so I don't think you need me to rehash it for you.
I'm either patient or impatient, depending on what we're talking about. Working in IT for years has taught me patience with respect to technology. It's also taught me to respect (and use) the troubleshooting process.
The issue is, I want to jump the process with respect to writing.
I'm in a writing group. It's a good group. I've gotten some very useful feedback on my first mystery novel there. I'd like to get the book completely thru the group and have feedback on the whole thing. However, that takes time. Months, in fact. Here's where my impatience kicks in. Getting the book thru the group would make it better. Making it better would increase my odds of getting an agent if I go the traditional route. I understand that.
I'm just hoping I'm patient enough to see it through.
A compromise might be to get a couple of beta readers. The group is good, but we meet once every three or four weeks, and it will take a while to get the complete book thru in one or two-chapter chunks.
So, loyal readers: should I be patient or impatient? Or is the compromise choice the best one. Sound off.
Showing posts with label Critique Groups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Critique Groups. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Writing Group: Swing and a Miss
My recent foray into joining a writing group didn't work out.
They liked me, and I think they liked what I wrote. Their issue was not wanting to make the group too genre-heavy. It's a shame. I liked the group and I think I would have been a good fit. Right now, I'm talking with another group and will be visiting them sometime this month.
Here's what I'm wondering, as a general query: is it bad for a writing group to favor genre authors, as opposed to those who just write mainstream fiction?
Obviously, some groups will devote themselves to a certain genre. You'll have romance writing groups, mystery groups, fantasy groups, etc. Those groups will immerse themselves in the ins and outs of a certain genre and work to get published (or keep getting published) within that genre.
For a more general group, however, is there a tipping point when you have too many genre authors? I don't know. I can see that each author has to know how their genre works, what the expectations are, what the market is, etc. The other writers in the group will probably not know that information. If I were in a writing group with a romance writer, I couldn't give her a very deep critique. I could talk about the style, word choices, and technical things like that, but I know nothing about the genre. My advice could be the opposite of what she really needs to know.
So, does this mean writers who write in a genre should only join a writing group that focuses on that genre? I don't think so. I think being exposed to different genres allows you to spread your wings as a writer and a reader. Let's use the romance critique from before: I don't read that genre, so my ability to critique it is limited. But reading it takes me outside of my comfort zone. What I should now be thinking is how I can apply something I saw in that submission to my own writing. Even if what I write is pretty far from romance (and it is), that doesn't mean the writer has nothing to show me. And it shouldn't mean I have nothing to say to her.
I'll meet with this next group later in the month. Hopefully it's a good fit all around.
Happy writing, and remember to step outside your comfort zone, and your genre, every now and then.
They liked me, and I think they liked what I wrote. Their issue was not wanting to make the group too genre-heavy. It's a shame. I liked the group and I think I would have been a good fit. Right now, I'm talking with another group and will be visiting them sometime this month.
Here's what I'm wondering, as a general query: is it bad for a writing group to favor genre authors, as opposed to those who just write mainstream fiction?
Obviously, some groups will devote themselves to a certain genre. You'll have romance writing groups, mystery groups, fantasy groups, etc. Those groups will immerse themselves in the ins and outs of a certain genre and work to get published (or keep getting published) within that genre.
For a more general group, however, is there a tipping point when you have too many genre authors? I don't know. I can see that each author has to know how their genre works, what the expectations are, what the market is, etc. The other writers in the group will probably not know that information. If I were in a writing group with a romance writer, I couldn't give her a very deep critique. I could talk about the style, word choices, and technical things like that, but I know nothing about the genre. My advice could be the opposite of what she really needs to know.
So, does this mean writers who write in a genre should only join a writing group that focuses on that genre? I don't think so. I think being exposed to different genres allows you to spread your wings as a writer and a reader. Let's use the romance critique from before: I don't read that genre, so my ability to critique it is limited. But reading it takes me outside of my comfort zone. What I should now be thinking is how I can apply something I saw in that submission to my own writing. Even if what I write is pretty far from romance (and it is), that doesn't mean the writer has nothing to show me. And it shouldn't mean I have nothing to say to her.
I'll meet with this next group later in the month. Hopefully it's a good fit all around.
Happy writing, and remember to step outside your comfort zone, and your genre, every now and then.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Challenge Yourself: Critique Groups
I had a try-out, of sorts, for a local critique group today.
That probably makes it sound weird. It wasn't. They invited me to their group to see how they work, then asked me some questions at the end (and I got to return the favor). Overall, I think it went well, and I hope they invite me to join. It seems like a good group. The process, of course, got me thinking about writing groups and critique groups.
How many writers out there are members of such a group? What benefits do you get from it? In turn (and more importantly, in my opinion), what do you bring to the group?
The group I might be joining comprises writers who write in a variety of genres. I think that's better than a group dedicated to one particular genre. (YMMV on this one; I acknowledge that it's personal preference.) I've mostly written mysteries for the last few years. In that time, I've also read a lot of them. However, the publishing world is populated by people who love all genres, and those who challenge genre conventions. Reading works that differ from what I would normally pick up exposes me to a wider variety of styles, word choices, scene structures, etc. Every genre has its conventions. If I read something for the group that takes my outside of my reader comfort zone, if you will, then I think that ultimately benefits me as a writer.
There should be something to learn in every book or story we read. That includes the ones that are outside our usual preferences. If we challenge ourselves as readers (and critiquers), then I think that expands our bags of tricks as writers.
Consider joining a critique group. You might find yourself challenged, and that's a good thing.
Happy writing.
That probably makes it sound weird. It wasn't. They invited me to their group to see how they work, then asked me some questions at the end (and I got to return the favor). Overall, I think it went well, and I hope they invite me to join. It seems like a good group. The process, of course, got me thinking about writing groups and critique groups.
How many writers out there are members of such a group? What benefits do you get from it? In turn (and more importantly, in my opinion), what do you bring to the group?
The group I might be joining comprises writers who write in a variety of genres. I think that's better than a group dedicated to one particular genre. (YMMV on this one; I acknowledge that it's personal preference.) I've mostly written mysteries for the last few years. In that time, I've also read a lot of them. However, the publishing world is populated by people who love all genres, and those who challenge genre conventions. Reading works that differ from what I would normally pick up exposes me to a wider variety of styles, word choices, scene structures, etc. Every genre has its conventions. If I read something for the group that takes my outside of my reader comfort zone, if you will, then I think that ultimately benefits me as a writer.
There should be something to learn in every book or story we read. That includes the ones that are outside our usual preferences. If we challenge ourselves as readers (and critiquers), then I think that expands our bags of tricks as writers.
Consider joining a critique group. You might find yourself challenged, and that's a good thing.
Happy writing.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Writing Groups
How many writers out there belong to writing or critique groups?
I'm in one that spawned from our NaNoWriMo write-ins. Basically, we just decided to keep showing up and writing. Now, though, instead of just blitzing thru a first draft to meet a word count goal, we talk about projects, the business of writing, offer critiques, and even share works with each other. We're also discussing an anthology for next month that we would self-publish, both for the practice and for any additional exposure that it gets us. In fact, we're meeting tonight, and I plan to get at least 2000 words done in a new first draft.
Even though I talk to people at our write-ins, I get a lot done. Being around other creative people helps. I don't buy into any rubbish about the spark of creativity flying around the room or whatever, but I think seeing everyone else grinding away on their projects encourages me to do the same. And I get to have an awesome chai drink at the same time.
So, share your thoughts on writing groups and your experiences with them. I think (as long as you find the right group, of course, and don't end up with a bunch of schmucks) they can be very beneficial to aspiring and established writers alike.
I'm in one that spawned from our NaNoWriMo write-ins. Basically, we just decided to keep showing up and writing. Now, though, instead of just blitzing thru a first draft to meet a word count goal, we talk about projects, the business of writing, offer critiques, and even share works with each other. We're also discussing an anthology for next month that we would self-publish, both for the practice and for any additional exposure that it gets us. In fact, we're meeting tonight, and I plan to get at least 2000 words done in a new first draft.
Even though I talk to people at our write-ins, I get a lot done. Being around other creative people helps. I don't buy into any rubbish about the spark of creativity flying around the room or whatever, but I think seeing everyone else grinding away on their projects encourages me to do the same. And I get to have an awesome chai drink at the same time.
So, share your thoughts on writing groups and your experiences with them. I think (as long as you find the right group, of course, and don't end up with a bunch of schmucks) they can be very beneficial to aspiring and established writers alike.
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