Have you ever said you'd do something months in advance and then when the day arrives you wonder what the heck you were thinking.
I can imagine some people who sign up for a marathon would feel this way, or if you decided to go back to school after you're married with three children.
For me it was a in person critique group.
In May my local SCBWI chapter put out a notice that they were going to start an in person critique group. I thought it was a great idea and promptly sent an email expressing my interest.
Fast forward three months.
Last Monday I got an email from Angela Ackerman (aka Bookshelf Muse) that we would be starting this week. I can't tell you how many excuses went through my head.
Then two days before we met I decided if I really want to be a writer, I needed to try this.
I have to admit I wasn't nervous about getting my own writing critiqued, I just didn't know if I had anything to offer other people. And really it's one thing to offer feedback in an email, quite another to look at them while you're doing it.
But I went... and you know what? It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. Angela was a great host and I learned a ton by reading other people's work. So I'm excited about this critique group. It may be just the thing that motivates me to write more than I have been lately.
What about you? Do you do most of your critiquing face to face or with your computer? Which do you prefer?
14 comments:
I think it's good to do. I prefer email with live chatting on the side to get to know one another. But I think with the right group face to face would work.
Good for you, Patti. Stepping outside the comfort zone is important to being a writer, I think. I have an online group and it works well for me, though it would be fun to have real time conversations.
So excited for you! This is a huge and worthwhile step.
I like the computer. I'm a visual person and I take my time w/ manuscripts.
~ Wendy
Good for you for taking that step out of your comfort zone. I've only done a CP group face to face. Although we have broken up now, it was a good experience. I do hope to be part of an online one this winter, though.
I would kill to get into an in-person crit group. I would kill puppies to get into one with Angela.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Take every advantage you can and stick to it. There's something about being "in-person" that just doesn't cut email.
Most of mine is face to face with crit partners. Which I do prefer (because then I can ask them questions as to what they meant).
Good for you! I'm glad you gave it a whirl and found it wasn't as bad as you'd feared. :) I used to belong to a live group in the 1990s, and now all my critiquing is via email. I prefer it via email, but I miss the live interaction. For me, it's harder to come up with the right words said the right way when I'm in person and on the spot.
You go, Patti! I am so proud of you and happy for you.
I have betas, but meet with Beth face to face.
YAY Patti! I know I'll hear great things about this group. WOW!! (((hugs)))
I would KILL to be in a critique group with Angela Ackerman!!! I am SOOOOOO jealous--I kid you not. I'm glad you decided to go, Patti--I know you won't regret it. :-)
Online. Then you have time to react in privacy.
"It wasn't nearly as scary" - always good to hear.
LOL You noticed I wasn't there. I prefer to do my crits online. :D
Good for you!! You are brave! :)
Did you have time to look at the pieces first? I can't do anything off the cuff. I'm just not smart enough.
But I do like reading stories first, formulating my thoughts, then going in to talk in person. It's like a book club.
I think it matters how positive people are, though. I mean, you don't have to love on a project, but some critiquers are just mean, and that's no fun, even if it is helpful. Good critique groups are positive in the way they critique.
I tried to start a writers' crit group in my area but it's just too rural, I think, so I started blogging and now I trade crits via email and I love it. Still, it would be nice to connect in person with another writer once in a while...how wonderful you signed up for that group!
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