Author Blog Challenge #10
Have you participated in a critique groups? If so, how did
it work out for you? If not, why have you avoided them to this point?
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post on my blog about critique
groups along with some links to online critiquing groups and writing
communities and today I break my own rule for this Author Blog Challenge by posting
something I had written previously, in this instance an excerpt from my book,
One Writer’s Journey.
On Writing Critiquing Groups
I learnt early that, unless a writer was extremely gifted,
lucky, in/famous or well connected, there were no shortcuts to becoming a
published writer. Like any other vocation, there are skills and aspects to be
learnt and all require diligence, practice, and the commitment to achieve
personal goals. There is so much more to writing than throwing words onto paper
or into a word processing document. At the very least there is the need to have
a basic understanding of the language of choice, or a willingness to learn the
fundamentals of grammar and punctuation. To set out without these tools of
trade would be like a carpenter building a house without hammer and nails.
There may be a vision of the finished structure, but it will remain just a
vision unless the right equipment is acquired. Likewise, there is no art or
trade that allows an individual to progress from novice to adept, without serving
some sort of training period or apprenticeship under the guidance of a mentor.
In the world of writing, mentoring can take many forms, from formal learning,
short or long courses, workshops, feedback from competitions, or participation
in writers’ groups. Each of these involves the gaining of knowledge, practice,
revision and feedback. The process of learning can be an exciting and
personally satisfying experience, with self-pride and appreciation at each new
skill learnt, or level reached, however, the nature and degree of skill
development is determined by the receptiveness of the individual and their
ability or willingness to embrace each learning opportunity.
I have always chosen to be part of a writing community where
interests are shared, skills developed, and creativity nurtured, finding this
beneficial to my growth as a writer in many ways. Writers’ groups also provide
a support network to develop and advance writing, and can be a vital resource
when people begin to submit their work to competitions and publishers. The
fellowship of like-minded people, who freely share their skills, knowledge, and
experience, can strengthen self-confidence as a writer, depending on their
expectation of the group and understanding of its function and limitations.
Through my involvement with groups, over many years, I have also seen people lose confidence in their writing ability and there are a number of
reasons for this. It may stem from the lack of understanding that good writing
is more than simply having a great idea or story line; it is the translation of
a concept into a coherent, written form that determines the quality or value of
the work. For some, it is the self-imposed expectations and impatience to
attain goals that causes them to ignore essential elements of the learning
process. Lack of self-confidence is frequently interpreted as writer’s block,
and so much has been written on this subject that I have no need to expand on
it here; however, overcoming this is the sole responsibility of the writer. It is
not a situation where blame must be apportioned, it is simply a temporary
state of being, and the more time spent placing external culpability, the
longer the condition will continue. Writers, who place responsibility for their
shortcomings on others, are wasting an opportunity to gain valuable insight
into their functionality as a writer. By becoming solution focused, strategies
can be put in place that has lasting benefit.
Writers’ critiquing groups are not for everyone. There are those who
feel they have reached their capacity for learning, who may not trust the
opinions or motives of others, or who do not understand the objective nature of
the critiquing process. Preciousness exists within us all and the writers’ ego
can be the greatest obstacle we face in our quest for positive recognition in
our chosen field. This may manifest as an emotional attachment to a particular
piece of writing, resulting in the inability to give or receive objective
reflection or feedback, or from an unwillingness to accept that a piece of
writing may be less than perfect from the point of view of others in the group.
Others perceive themselves to be victims, validating this with inappropriate
remarks and pained expressions when their work is being critiqued, although
they have no qualms about giving candid comment on the work of others in the
group. We all experience brief episodes of preciousness at one time or another;
it is only when this becomes chronic that it has the capacity to infect the
group with different strains of the virus.
One possible solution for anyone having trouble in getting
words onto paper is to revisit their personal writing goals and how these
relate to the group they belong to. If they previously found the group process
of critique constructive, I suggest they try to identify a point of change and
what factors were present at that time. If there have been no major changes in
the functioning of the group, look at what changes may have occurred on a
personal writing level, or whether there has been significant progress in their
writing that would render critique from the group unnecessary. This
self-assessment requires honesty. It is useful to take notes and summarise
findings to determine whether a writing group is conducive to their needs at
this time. As part of this review, it can be helpful to revisit the purpose of the
writing group and the processes in place for providing effective critique,
using the following checklist.
Checklist for critique
Everyone
taking their turn.
Each
person feeling their opinion is valid and useful.
Equal
time to speak.
Encouragement
and support of others.
Comments
on the writing, not the writer.
Alternatives
and solutions offered as opinion only.
Building
on comments made by others.
Remaining
focused on the task.
Enabling
others to contribute to the discussion.
Offering
comment that is specific, concrete, constructive, and suggests
alternatives and solutions.
Raises
both negative and positive points.
The
understanding that the writer will consider the comments and make up their
own
mind.
Focuses
upon substantive issues in the writing, suggesting corrections for the
first
few minor errors and leaves the writer
to correct the rest.
~ Merlene Fawdry
Recommended reading
ReplyDeleteThere is so much more to writing than throwing words onto paper or into a word processing document. At the very least there is the need to have a basic understanding of the language of choice, or a willingness to learn the fundamentals of grammar and punctuation.
ReplyDeleteAMEN!! WRITE ON!
This is what I need Merlene. Thanks...
ReplyDelete