Writing Critique Group Best Practices
Welcome to the sixth installment of our author series. We’ve shown you how blogging can help authors reach an audience, things to consider when starting a blog, how to create a must-read blog, why social media is essential for your blog. and social media best practices for your blog. Now we’re moving on to critiques – an important step when developing a manuscript.
For both aspiring and established authors, a critique group can help elevate a manuscript. Oftentimes authors are too close to their writing to identify problems. Critique groups can provide fresh perspectives as well as moral support. Whether your group is online or in-person, monthly or weekly, implementing best practices can improve the experience.
Group Organization
Critique groups are a community. As such, it’s essential to create a culture that’s supportive and will make members want to come back.
A critique group should have a coordinator who will encourage people to participate, organize meetings, and run them. The coordinator should set meeting dates and send reminders. To ensure everyone is on the same page, the coordinator could provide submission guidelines.
“It’s important to have an organized coordinator who will keep the group on track, organize meetings and submission reminders, and foster a positive, constructive environment.”
— Rosanne Matty, SCBWI Long Island Member
For example, some groups limit submissions to a full manuscript for picture books or up to fifteen pages for novels in twelve-point font with double-spaced lines. The coordinator should also ensure meetings start and end on time so that every member’s manuscript is critiqued. This may require setting a time limit for each critique.
Participants of all levels can contribute. Published authors can provide writing tips and insights into the publishing process. Less experienced writers can offer new perspectives. Even if members don’t submit manuscripts, they can still benefit from attending a meeting. They can learn from the critiques of others while continuing to help support group members.
As the group needs change because members have come and gone or a pandemic forces the group to go online, the coordinator should facilitate discussion on how the group can move forward and implement necessary changes.
Giving Critiques
When giving critiques, the goal is to help each other. As such, offering constructive criticism is key. This means providing clear, actionable feedback that is helpful without tearing down the author’s self-esteem and writing ability.
Compliment #1 – “You did a great job creating a character with personality.”
Critique – “Some of the language seemed advanced for young children. You may want to consider simplifying it.”
Compliment #2 – “I loved the twist ending!”
“Have fun! We are all more creative when we are having fun. Remember, there’s no pressure if we’re not feeling creative.”
— Pam Jones-Nill, SCBWI Long Island Critique Group Coordinator
Another way to provide feedback is to ask the authors questions. This gets them thinking about issues. For example, don’t say, “This chapter was a mess.” A more constructive comment is to ask, “What were your intentions in this chapter?” The latter provides a specific area for the author to focus on rather than criticizing the author’s general work.
Receiving Critiques
Prior to receiving their critiques, authors may want to ask the group specific questions. For example, “Is the voice right for this age?” or “Does this scene slow the plot?” This may focus the direction of the commentary.
It’s not always easy for authors to receive criticism, but it’s important to hear. When receiving feedback, authors should listen without interrupting. If authors get defensive, members may feel reluctant to provide further feedback.
One of the best things authors can do is to marinate on feedback. Often after a day or two, authors realize group members were correct.
“Find critique partners that you trust. Know that a critique is only one opinion, but if many people are saying the same thing, then there’s probably an issue.”
— Debbie Vilardi, SCBWI Long Island Kid LIt News Managing Editor
Regarding novels, members may find it challenging to provide holistic critiques when reviewing a chapter at a time. In the end, authors will need people to read the full manuscript. When a critique group fosters trust, members are often willing to go the extra mile to support each other.
This post was written by Maria Wen Adcock and originally posted in the SCBWI Kid LIt News 2022 Newsletter: Summer Edition ©All rights reserved. All content is copyrighted ©2022 The SCBWI Long Island, NY. SCBWI.org Kid LIt News is an educational newsletter of the Long Island, New York region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the international organization for professionals in children’s publishing.
