So you're in a critique group and excited to get started. But, before you begin, make sure you don't get so caught up that you forget some general unspoken rules of critique group. To help you with that, I have gathered 10 dos and don'ts of critique groups: 1. DON'T: Force everyone to read your story first. The last thing anyone wants in a critique group is a pushy author who thinks their writing is the best. Don't be that person. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule if you have an important looming deadline and really need feedback quickly, but if this is the case, go to your group leader or make your case to the group as a whole. If you are with the right people, they should be understanding. 2. DO: Listen to your group leader when they decide whose work you are reading next. This is a pretty simple rule. Everyone wants their story read, but critique group is about supporting each other. The order you read each other's writing in shouldn't matter as long as everyone gets their work read. 3. DON'T: Tell someone their story is awful. We've all been there. You have a friend whom you like (Or maybe not - I don't know your situation) but their story just isn't that good. Whether it was the Characters, plot or lack thereof, or just their writing style in general - telling them you hated it is never the best option. Instead . . . 4. DO: Point out specific things that you think could be improved. Tell them which characters were lacking, perhaps suggesting some things they could change or add to make the characters more interesting. Explain why the plot didn't work or didn't make sense. Show them where their writing was lacking and encourage them with some ideas to improve. This is where the critic part comes in: do your best to give constructive criticism. 5. Don't: Tell someone their writing is perfect. This is the opposite of point 3. You read one of your friend's stories and it was amazing. All you want to do is give it praise and tell them how much you love it. Great! Go for it! But no one's writing is perfect. There are always things you can help them improve. Do your best to find those so you can help them get even better than they already are. You can still fangirl over someone's writing (it can really give them a huge boost in motivation), just don't make it the only feedback you give. 6. DO: Point out specific things you really like and enjoyed in their writing. Here's how to encourage your friend with that great story even more: specifics. If you enjoyed a particular scene, fell in love with a character, were caught off guard by a well-executed plot twist, or wanted to make a motivational poster with one of their lines - TELL THEM. It's helpful to them if you let them know the specific strengths you have found in their writing so that they continue doing those things in the future. 7. DON'T: Get angry at others when you get feedback you don't like or agree with. Hearing honest feedback can hurt. A lot. Sometimes it is helpful, but sometimes someone wants you to change or delete something integral to your story. They clearly didn't understand your story. Instead of getting upset at them for trying to change your story, take it as an opportunity to make sure to explain your story more clearly so that next time, your readers will get it. You also want to . . . 8. DO: Seriously consider all feedback given to you. You go to critique groups for a reason, and that reason is primarily to get feedback on your writing. That includes sometimes taking advice that at first, you don't think works for your story. Take every suggestion given to you and give it serious consideration. Play with it in your head and see if you can work it in - it may surprise you! 9. DON'T: Change things in someone's writing without asking or suggesting it first. This one is slightly more serious. You may think you're helping by just changing things, but unless it's some type of minuscule proofreading thing, like adding a comma or fixing spelling, it's fairly rude. In most critique groups, people come for feedback and suggestions, things they can choose what to do with and how to do it. Even changing the wording in a sentence is a little iffy. If possible, use track changes on Word or suggesting mode on Google docs so that the author can decide if they want to keep your change. 10. DO: Leave silly comments in response to someone's writings. Annnnnnnnnd now we come to my favorite one. The Silly Comments. The best part of any critique group is reading through the ridiculous comments someone has left on and in response to your writing. So leave your reactions in the comments. All the "OH NO!"s, the "DON'T OPEN THE DOOR"s, the "YES! They kissed", and the "I knew it!"s. Have fun. Go all out. Trust me, the writers will love it. If you liked this post, check out the video I helped make on the PWR Studios Youtube channel going up this Wednesday. The topic is Types of People at Critique Groups. Subscribe to our channel to get notified when it's posted.
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AuthorWriter. Reader. Lover of stories. This website serves as a creative outlit for my own thoughts as well as somewhere to keep track of the things I've written. Blog Categories
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