Marilyn Meredith Talks About Critique Groups

Today my friend, Marilyn Meredith, talks about critique groups, one of my favorite topics. If it weren’t for Marilyn and the critique group she moderated, I never would have written my three mysteries. Welcome Marilyn!

 

Marilyn, who writes the RBPD series as F. M. Meredith

 

Is A Critique Group for You?

 

Some people love belonging to a critique group, others are totally opposed to them. This summer at a writers’ conference, I moderated a panel about critique groups. Three panelists loved their critique groups, three hated them.

 I’m in the “love belonging to a critique group” camp. I’ve belonged to the same group (though different people have come and gone) for many years. Here are some of the reasons I love my critique group.

 

1.     In the beginning, I learned how to write.

2.     I found out what a point-of-view meant and how to use it.

3.     I’ve learned, and continued to learn better grammar.

4.     I learned how to describe people, places and things.

5.     My group point out mistakes I’ve made. Sentences and plot points that need to be made clearer.

6.     I’m able to share what I know to help others write better.

7.     I get encouragement from the other writers.

8.     And I get lots of criticisms. If they didn’t critique what I wrote, I wouldn’t go anymore.

9.     I consider my critique group my first editor.

 

What someone needs to understand, is when hearing what others say, don’t start defending your writing, just listen, write down pertinent points they make. Wait until you are home to take a good look at what was suggested. Maybe you won’t make the change the way they said, but it may give you an idea of how to make your work even better.

 

If you can’t take criticism, you don’t belong in a critique group. Over the years we’ve had many people come to the group but didn’t stay because their words were too precious to them. Everyone’s writing can be improved. If someone has suggestions as to how my writing can be better, I want to hear it.

 

What about the rest of you? What are your feelings about critique groups?

Too many people are telling lies: The husband of the murder victim and his secretary, the victim’s boss and co-workers in the day care center, her stalker, and Detective Milligan’s daughter.

Link: https://tinyurl.com/yabj9z9f

F. M. Meredith who is also known as Marilyn once lived in a beach town much like Rocky Bluff. She has many friends and relatives in law enforcement. She’s a member of MWA, 3 chapters of Sisters in Crime and serves on the PSWA Board.

Webpage: http://fictionforyou.com
Blog: https://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com
Facebook: Marilyn Meredith
Twitter: @marilynmeredith

Next up I’m visiting https://lindathorne.com/blog/ and answer the question, Why Do I keep on Writing?