Giving and Receiving Critiques: Part 2:
Giving and Receiving Critiques: What to Expect
By Natalie Bright
WAS is a pesky little word. I had no idea how much I truly love the word WAS until I joined a critique group. Someone actually counted the number I had on one page and it wasn’t pretty. Then there were other pages with not one WAS in sight. Who knows what goes on in your brain during the writing process?
That is an example of what an honest and unbiased critique of your work can do for you; invaluable insight into your tendencies and quirks. If you write humor, obviously you want people to laugh at the funny parts. What if they’re laughing in places you didn’t even realize were funny?
When you listen with an open mind, a critique group forces you to step away from your work. You must take the gutt-wrenching, personal feelings out of the process and develop a critical eye. Critique members can help you do that.
Next week in Part 3; establishing ground rules for critique partners.
Natalie Bright
Wordsmith Six 
At first critiquing groups can seem daunting, but, I also think that a critiquing group can prepare you for critique from strangers. At least you get an explanation of what works, what doesn’t, why, and perhaps even how to improve on your mistakes. I learnt quickly how to not take it personally, they are after all critiquing your writing not you.
Nice post!
Thanks, Sofia, for commenting. You brought up an important point: don’t take it personally, and that’s the hardest thing to get past, I think. Thanks for following Wordsmith Six.
Amazing now that when I am poring over a letter to send out, respond to an -email or write a missive of whatever type I hear my critique group in the background of not only the was’s but how that can be changed to make it a clearer and better sentence and paragraph. I also hear the echo’s, the “better words” etc. and all without ugliness or hurt. Invaluable!!!!!
Our critique group has taught me to be better at critiquing. Now I sometimes find myself critiquing everything made out of letters.
Great blog!