So thats how a critique group can work...I finally get it

There has been the most interesting post happening here by Jane Smith at How Publishing Really Works on writers who only take criticism if its positive. Following on from a post I wrote recently on my fears about the benefits of critique groups, one comment by Tania Hershman neatly summed up one way an effective critique group can work:-

"The main aim is for the group to learn more about the art and craft of writing from critiquing each other's work. It's raw material, I suppose, a way to see what works and what doesn't and then to apply it to our own work. If the writer receives helpful advice on her particular story, that's almost a fringe benefit."

Once I read this the lightbulb came on in my head. I still think you need to find the right mix of people. Its better to be in a group of folk at a similar stage and whose company you enjoy and respect, but from this perspective I agree that critique groups can make a worthwhile difference to our writing. I feel enlightened - how cool is that. Sorry if I've been wittering on about something thats been obvious to the rest of you all along!

I've also been feeling emboldened. After my recent prolific (for me) short story writing and submissions to an anthology I went on to submit an idea for a longer work today. In the past, if i have not had most or all of a complete work to put forward, I have turned away from writing opportunities. The brief today was generous in allowing incomplete works but I wasn't afraid to take advantage of it. I have to say I found the whole thing very exciting. I guess I will have to get off my proverbial and actually produce the work now, but the knowledge that it may be of interest to a publisher and that I have put it out there is extremely motivating. Helped of course by the fact i really like the story idea.

If its good advice why isn't it helping...

So the other day I laughed alot at Joshilyn Jackson's post and I nodded alot too. She said smart things about writing critique groups - about belonging to a group whose writing skills can help you grow your own. I have a friend who belongs to a functioning group where the members have been making a positive difference to each other's writing for years now. But I have to say I think her group is rare. I love writing groups for the sense of community they give me. Writing is a solitary occupation and I am a social creature. Other writers understand best the difficulties of this industry. The best inside info comes from other writers. But while I've received some good advice from members of critique groups I've belonged to over the years, ultimately I have too many misgivings about the benefits. Thanks (again) to US agent Janet Reid, I swung over to this post at moments in crime to read their opinion on critique groups.

A writer's critique will always be influenced by their own style, voice, skills, taste and reading background and by their beliefs and opinions. I've read and been told to just take the useful stuff i agree with and discard the rest but sometimes all it does is sew niggling seeds of doubt. Is it just a matter of taste or is that part of my story a brontosaurus-sized fundamental flaw? And when one person loves something that someone else loathes - aargh - I want to run screaming for the hills.

When I've taken my writing to a group, what I've always really wanted to know is: - do you like the story, are you interested, do you feel compelled to read on, is it believable, do you care. It's the story - how everything comes together - plot, characters, voice, style - that I worry most about. Okay, of course I am also concerned with my writing skills; technique is important (although as another writer friend and I were discussing last night, mostly ignoring the rule of show-not-tell hasn't prevented one YA novel from selling in the millions) but my main question as I go along is 'does the story work'. And of course this kind of feedback is totally subjective too. Think of how many books on shop shelves don't spin your dials enough for you to buy them. One person's 'OMG you have to read this, its the best thing ever' is another person's 'ho hum'. So if you find your critique group has improved your writing, I say - you lucky thing! If it hasn't, don't fret. Its okay not to belong to a group, you can write a great novel without one. Or as Blaize Clement at moments in crime suggests, maybe your group could work in a different way. Experiment with exercises or just make it social and information sharing.