If you’re a writer looking for encouragement and help with your writing, you’re in the right place.
Offering Critiques in a Writer’s Group
For this month I polled fellow members of our critique group on the feedback they requested. They have developed their stories and plot lines or articles, and now they ask for our reactions and how to make it better.
It’s up to us as fellow members of the group to read and hear carefully and offer suggestions that will assist them in their next review process.
Jeanette: “I’m an emotional reader, so when other people critique my writing, I want to know if it evokes the kind of emotion that I intended with the scene. There’s nothing like writing a scene meant to be reflective, but because of a wrong choice of word or phrase, it turns into something that makes the reader laugh out loud. Another thing I worry about is the “meat” of the story. It’s one thing to entertain, but it’s the stories that also make me think about what I believe to be right or wrong that tend to linger in my mind. Lastly, I really appreciate honesty. While it’s necessary to tell the writer what they did well–and who doesn’t like to be praised for a job well done?–I also need to know the bad so I can fix it. That includes overused cliches, scenes that need to be improved on, and the parts where I just plain don’t make any sense.”
Janet: “I want to know that my flow is on track. I sometimes get so many thoughts going I know I mess it up. Like Jeannette, emotion is important too. Also keeping in the right context. When I write my journeys, I need to be consistent. Am I writing it as an adult looking back, or am I writing it putting myself back into the age I was when it happened?”
Donna: “So much of my writing is done in isolation — me and my cat. I often do voice-over on chapters, but I like to hear a person read the work. I’m impressed with different accents and enunciation. I want the reader to feel the emotion and to step into the story. When readers feel they are a part of the plot, they speak from that position and that makes it real for me.”
Sarah: “For me I love to hear about times that things don’t make sense, or when someone’s attention diverts because the story is dragging. I also like hearing the positives, of parts that make people laugh, or get emotionally involved. Or if there’s a line I write that impacts them beyond the story. “
Helena: “My weak spot is grammar and punctuation. At times I struggle with the word order in the sentences, as I may slip in the patterns of some other language – so that is my primary need.”
Susanne: “I like the critiquers to tell me if they found it interesting and understandable. It is helpful to get suggestions on how to sharpen the writing, for example, convey the emotions of the characters, make the action flow or be exciting and the right rhythm for the story.”
Maxie: “I would like to ask how my writing makes you feel? Bored, hopeful, uneasy, happy? Do you find it realistic? Or entertaining? If you could gift someone a copy, who would you give it to, and why?
I am most interested in the critiquers’ engagement with my characters. Do they seem real? Are they engaging?”
Thank you, fellow writers, for your answers to my questions. We are stronger writers for the effort. I know how much it has helped me.
Until next month, stay safe, stay well… and keep on writing!
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Carolyn R. Wilker is a writer, editor, writing instructor and storyteller from Kitchener, Ontario, with publication credits in articles, op-eds, devotionals, poetry, and her books, Once Upon a Sandbox, Harry’s Trees, Les arbres de Harry, Piece by Piece, Travelling Light and the most recent Discover Your Story, and the newest picture book, Sophie and the Giant Boy.
Carolyn is also a contributor to anthologies including Grandmothers’ Necklace, Wisdom of Old Souls, Hot Apple Cider with Cinnamon, and Good Grief People.
She blogs at storygal.ca
Writing Tip: Find a critique group; help each other.
Discover Your Story: Family History or Memoir is posted on my site and can be ordered.
My new picture book, Sophie and the Giant Boy, is available now on my website.
