In Search of Meaningful Critiques
by Natalie Bright
The creative writing instructor provided numerous reasons for joining a critique group and I rejected the idea at once. How could I possibly find a group of strangers attempting similar goals plus a willingness to meet at the same time and place for the rest of our lives (because that’s how long I knew I’d be writing–forever).
Let us imagine we find such an assembly. The unattainable involves leaving your feelings at the door and listening with an open mind as these ‘wanna-be published’ criticize your best efforts. In return, you must provide positive comments and insightful suggestions for their work. The final deal breaker was time. Whose real world itinerary allows meetings on an already unyielding schedule? I discovered so many reasons why NOT to find a writing group.
Therefore, I felt determined to reach my goals on my own terms. As the creative writing class progressed, I struggled with the assignments and soon realized a second opinion might be more than helpful.
WHO WANTS TO READ THIS?
I turned to a son who listened intently to my ramblings. One day, he responded to my request of “listen to this” with, “That’s okay, Mom. I’d rather not.”
I felt devastated, but I didn’t let him know it. Pulling myself together, I sought advice from my mother. After all, who shows the most support of any new ambition and who never fails to elicit an honest, unbiased opinion?
Mom said, “I just can’t help you. Don’t you have any friends?” Honest to a fault; that’s a mother for you.
Rejected. Again. (So they were preparing me for the realities of publishing in the beginning. Who knew?) I searched my heart and contemplated my dilemma carefully. I needed someone who believed in me, someone who was not afraid to bestow the gut wrenching truth.
Behold, there he sat. Someone who’d been there all along. I approached my darling husband.
NOTHING LIKE AN HONEST CRITIQUE
He agreed to help and seemed pleased that I included him in my newfound passion. Thrilled at the possibility of sharing a common interest besides kids, I envisioned lengthy conversations into the night, deliberating words and phrases. I might even dedicate a book or two to him someday.
A pattern soon appeared in his critiques. He always began with “Promise you won’t get mad,” and ended “You should write a Western.” The critique itself consisted of one to two word comments and usually now more, such as “needs research,” “no emotion,” and my personal favorite, “cornball”.
A critique group of strangers was the only option left.
A GROUP OF STRANGERS
On the final night of class, the instructor encouraged us to compare schedules with other classmates in hopes of leaving the semester-long course armed with a writing group. I felt fortunate to find several people willing to work together. I volunteered to be the organizer and listed names, addresses, emails with a promise to send notification for a first meeting.
We came together preparing to pour our heart and soul onto written pages with hopes of receiving sparks of inspiration – not only to learn ways to improve our work, but starved for any words of praise. We had to know if there were any good parts.
MEETING RULES
The first meeting involved establishing rules and clarifying goals. Participants could submit ten pages of new material, or share an educational piece about the business of writing. No idle observers allowed; everyone had to participate. We agreed to begin work promptly, saving visiting for last.
Numbers were drawn at the beginning of every meeting to determine who goes when.
The meetings functioned awkwardly as life got in the way, some people came and went, and a routine was established. In the beginning we welcomed visitors, however due to time limitations we’ve finally settled into a comfortable group of six. A core group of strangers emerged into a group of writers who are passionate about their craft, a group of writers who celebrate each other’s successes, a group of friends.
All the things I’ve heard about belonging to a writer’s critique group are true. The process can be hurtful and a huge time commitment, however your manuscript will be nurtured in ways you never thought possible and your prose will be the better for it. If you have not found a reliable critique partner, you should keep searching.
CORNBALL IS KEY
In case you’re wondering, when my kids appear at the door while I’m writing, all I have to say is “Hey, listen to this.” Poof! They’re gone. And on occasion my husband continues to read my work, only because once in a while he surprises me with a unique, very male perspective so opposite of mine. And he truly likes the western I’m working on now.
More importantly I have learned, if someone responds to your story with the comment “cornball”, it’s probably true.
Wordsmith Six 