Monday, January 24, 2011

Critiquing Creatures

Do you have a Critique Group? Mine is a constant source of support and inspiration to me. They give me much needed feedback, but they are also so much more. I'm lucky, and I know that. It isn't always easy to find the right group of people. And how should you critique? Not to be cliche, but do onto others...

Here are some examples of the mistakes certain "types" of critiquing creatures will make. Learn from them!

1. The Vampire
He's a parasite, feeding off the hard work, sweat, and yes, blood of others. He wants to take, take, take, but forgets to give. He scribbles a quick, nice job on the top of your pages, but expects a line by line critique from you. He needs to learn to give because not only is it the RIGHT THING TO DO, to hold up his side of the bargain, but it's also helpful to him. Because when he's looking at what works and doesn't in your writing, he'll learn what to look for in his own.

2. The Ghost
She's not really there. Whether physically or emotionally. She refuses to open up and really share. Nor is she open to criticism. She's defensive and doesn't want to hear it. Well, guess what? She's not going to get anything out of the group! If you can't open yourself to finding the flaws in your own work, you'll never grow. And that's just sad.

3. The Werewolf
She attacks, going right for the jugular. She won't pull any punches. And at first glance this may seem the right way to go. But that's the last thing to do if you want anyone to hear what you're really saying. There are delicate ways to approach these things. Ever hear of the sandwich method? I know, I know, werewolves aren't known for liking sandwiches, but that's the problem! Study it if you don't know it.

4. The Fairy
He (let's not be sexist here people) is too sensitive and doesn't want to hurt your feelings. So he won't be honest. That's not doing anyone any good. Yes it's nice to hear "It was incredible!" But how does that help your revision? He could also benefit from learning the sandwich method. He needs to understand that by giving specific feedback, he's actually being the best friend of all.

Have you met any of these creatures? I hope they aren't in your critique group! If you haven't found one, keep searching. Because feedback is so very important. It's impossible for you to see everything. And sometimes it's right below the surface until someone else says it and you have one of those AHA moments, which are wonderful.

26 comments:

  1. I try and go out of my way to use the sandwich method, because it's easy after you've been with your cgroup for a while to slack off on the positive! And that's when it's more important to stay positive while pointing out flaws!

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  2. The first two were in my crit group (my ex-crit group). And I've had beta readers who were fairies. Unfortunately, because of that, I foolishly querying my novel too early. I don't have a crit group anymore. I went rogue. But I'm really happy with the writers I went rogue with. :)

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  3. Oooo, good post! I've had a critique group for the last six months--we rotate reading each other's manuscripts. Giving feedback on their pages has been helpful to my own work as well. Great job identifying the critique group monsters :)

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  4. Oh yes, I've met them all! I do think there's hope for these creatures, though. Sometimes when they get more comfortable with a group, they can tone down their monsterly behavior a bit. :-)

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  5. Great post! I've encountered them all, but I feel very fortunate. I have two of the best critique parnters, and though sometimes their honesty stings...it's well worth the wounded pride to take their advice to heart. Otherwise, what is the point? My work is always better for it in the end. (Even if I have to rewrite a certain scene 10 times to get it right!

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  6. Laura - I whole-heartedly agree! It's easy to get comfortable with people and forget to point out the positives thinking they already know what they do RIGHT. Not that I have experience with this or anything. ;)

    Stina - rogue is good, as long as you have someone you work well with!

    Jess - That's exactly how it should work! I'm glad you found them.

    Anna - So very true! They should be given a chance to see the error of their ways. :D

    Adriana - You are fortunate! And that's wonderful. Re-writing till you get it right means you are serious about it and are doing what is necessary. Yeah!

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  7. LOL! Oh yes, I've come across a few of these and even a few other creatures I would have rather avoided. But it was worth it to finally find the right critique group!

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  8. I'm so lucky - my crit buddies are awesome! They are honest and oh, so helpful! THankfully not a vampire or wereworlf in the lot! :)

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  9. Jemi - that's great! i'm glad to hear most of these monsters are few and far between.

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  10. Love, love, love this post. You nailed it perfectly. I was a moderator of a critique group for a while and got to see all of these creatures at work. The critique group eventually dissolved, which was too bad. Now I have one critique partner that I trust. While I do wish I a wider range of opinions, having one person that I can trust is better than having a whole group of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and fairies.

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  11. Amy - that is too bad! It's always preferable when the monsters can reform into functioning critique partners, but one GOOD critiquer is worth the search.

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  12. Haha! So glad my critique partners don't fall into any of these categories!

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  13. Serenissima - That is a good thing! I'm very happy to say these creatures are thankfully few and far between.

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  14. Lisa, this is awesome! Yes, we're lucky to be in the group we're in. So many differing eyes catch all sorts of stuff I'd normally miss. You guys rock. And yay for the sandwich...I'm a big fan.

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  15. Julie - Yeah for us!! :D No monsters lurking in this group.

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  16. You crack me up, Lisa. If you modeled any of the monsters after me, I will forgive you when you buy me sushi. I am humbly part of THE BEST critique group in the world. I'm in a constant state of amazement how they can find a seed in my writing and make it grow it into a flower, or just say "pull up the darn weed." To quote one of my favorite movies, JERRY MAGUIRE, "They complete me."

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  17. Leslie - READ the beginning woman!! I LOVE our critique group. LOL

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  18. Ha, very well done! I've met lots of vampires in my time I'm afraid, but I always move on. I'm all about sharing what I know, but I also need to learn from others. If it isn't a two way street and the other person doesn't bother to put any effort into the critique or just throws praise my way, it's not a healthy relationship.

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  19. Angela - yes those vampires can be very co-dependent. You have to watch out! :D

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  20. You constantly amaze me how you draw these paranormal parallels! Love it! How about a unicorn critiquer? his horn is always poking into unwanted corners and exposing things you didn't realize were hidden in your writing.

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  21. Margo - sounds like the Unicorn is someone I'd want in my group! I might even have a couple of those...

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  22. OMG!! Hilarious. I think I may link to my crit group for laughs. I just had to drop for school BAH!

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  23. Hilarious yet insightful! :)

    P.S.: You are my randomly chosen Friday Follower this week, and your blog is being showcased on mine! :)

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  24. J.C. - that's great! Thank you. I will stop by. And I'm glad you enjoyed the review.

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