tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post1015107367410491419..comments2024-03-27T18:25:17.905-06:00Comments on Books We Love Insider Blog: The Importance of Critiques by Ginger SimpsonBWL Publishing Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17395363916983844544noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-59040948151801245222014-03-17T22:52:32.132-06:002014-03-17T22:52:32.132-06:00Ginger, when I started out, I had the privilege of...Ginger, when I started out, I had the privilege of attending a very professional critique group and it was during that time I first became published, both in short and book-length fiction. They were some of my best mentors. Later after the group disbanded, I attended a less-than-professional group, where many of the members enjoyed it more as a coffee klatch than a chance to critique. It's interesting how groups vary. I'd give my eye teeth to find a group like the first one, but so far, I haven't had any luck. You're so right, though, about the pros and cons of any group. For me, however, just having to take in a new chapter each week (or whenever) really kept me on track.Sydell Voellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02862642258281995462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-7113157791670843772014-03-17T15:10:06.400-06:002014-03-17T15:10:06.400-06:00I decided to make time because I want my next stor...I decided to make time because I want my next story to be it's very best. Although I don't work outside the home, I'm pretty busy too, but the secret is finding the right group. The one I'm in is well-established and most are published authors. I stay clear of ones that have newbies because there is just too much to critique. I have one person who reminds me to add "smells" to my scenes, and another is big on descriptions of the people. I really appreciate their input, good and bad.i Like Ann said, sometimes the hard part is deciding which comments to take into consideration, and I don't if they seem to be just another way of saying what I've already said. Sometimes the changes make things clearer for the reader...things I didn't realize when writing, so it does require some patience when it comes to analyzing the advice others offer.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09683064637626718318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-91175946948213253252014-03-17T13:31:34.038-06:002014-03-17T13:31:34.038-06:00I was taught a very long time ago, from a very exp...I was taught a very long time ago, from a very experienced writer and from the many books I've read and a writing course I took, there are very few rules in writing. I used to belong to critique groups but gave up on them because, as you pointed out, everyone was at various places in their writing. I also found people wanted me to change things to fit the way they would have written the story. I didn't find that helpful. So instead, I look for edits from several people. If more than one person points something out, I take heed. If only one comments, I go with my gut. I've had editors try to add "ly" words (one of the few nevers I've learned in writing) rather than strong verbs. Or they've added them to the strong verbs ex: yelled loudly - All loudly does is repeat yelled. Everyone knows yelling is loud. LOL I'm not saying anyone shouldn't join a critique group. It did help me a lot in my earlier writing. Just don't have the time or patience for it today.Roseanne Dowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15473329969019245459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-50298801533547050352014-03-17T11:19:46.812-06:002014-03-17T11:19:46.812-06:00Ann...I've found that to be true at first, but...Ann...I've found that to be true at first, but now I really heed the things that more than one person bring up. I posted my first chapter last night and already got six critiques. I found several things that were mentioned by more than one person so something has to be wrong with that. Most of my comments were positive and that made me feel good because I know these gals are honest and aren't in the game just to avoid hurting my feelings. In fact..one actually told me my first paragraph was 'lame.' *lol* Don't know exactly what she meant, but the other five had no issues except suggestions I add something, which I did.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09683064637626718318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-70425637261418605832014-03-17T09:01:47.747-06:002014-03-17T09:01:47.747-06:00"The hardest part of being in a group for me ..."The hardest part of being in a group for me is deciding which suggestions to take to heart and which to ignore."<br />^^ This especially. Some writers ignore all suggestions, some try to implement every suggestion, even when some of the advice might contradictory!Ann Herrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06041353495884375883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-74815585252994737572014-03-17T05:10:22.486-06:002014-03-17T05:10:22.486-06:00Excellent advice, Ginger. I met you in a critique ...Excellent advice, Ginger. I met you in a critique group and we've been friends ever since, along with our British friend Anita. I think that was in 2006. I couldn't do without my critique partners.Diane Scott Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05724042672923318289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-13148969032101465962014-03-17T02:48:17.934-06:002014-03-17T02:48:17.934-06:00Great blog Ginger. You always have so many informa...Great blog Ginger. You always have so many informative things to say.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />margaretMargaret Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07123830410502520003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386912343147794659.post-41555464488115968492014-03-17T02:09:32.692-06:002014-03-17T02:09:32.692-06:00I gave up on critique groups a long time ago becau...I gave up on critique groups a long time ago because of the time factor. It took me a while to find people I could trust but now I could not do without my two fabulous critique partners.Victoria Chathamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02064028734034371341noreply@blogger.com