THE GREATNESS OF IN-PERSON CRITIQUE GROUPS

Hey All!!!
YA Highway is a great resource for writers of any genre, but especially helpful to those of us who write MG or YA. They just put up a really great post on in-person critique groups and how they function which I thought you all might find interesting. The post can be found here.

I've been with my own critique group for many years now and meeting in-person does provide a different dynamic than the groups you may participate in online. I believe each has it's pros and cons and as a writer you have to determine which option is best for you. That doesn't mean that you have to choose between the two either. Some of my writer friends participate in multiple in-person and online groups at the same time. So, do what works for you!

Happy Writing!!!

THE AWESOMENESS OF A GREAT CRITIQUE GROUP

Hey All!!!

I'd been writing the first draft of my new book (currently untitled, but I have a few ideas that are bouncing around in my brain), while submitting and now editing my third book (Cursed). And I'd found that I was having a difficult time connecting with my main character. It wasn't like it had been with Jazz in Cursed. Jazz was hard core and such a loud voice in my head that writing in her point of view was easy for me. Alana, on the other hand, is more of a quiet being - softer. And after the clarity of Jazz I found it difficult to adjust to the quiet subtleties of Alana.

So, what did I do...I brought my problems to my critique group.

Some of the things that my group does for me (and that I do for them) are:

-They keep me focused/motivated on writing.
-They help me to keep on track with plot, structure, and pacing.
-They point out things in the story that don't make sense.

One of the great benefits of having a group of fellow writers who surround and support you on a consistent basis is that you can go to them when those writing blocks take hold. Maybe it's just me, but talking out my blocks is what helps me get to the other side.

To make a long story short, I was able to get past my distance with Alana and get a better understanding of who she is as a person. And getting past that blockade also helped me to understand her world and the background of her people better as well. So, it was a win-win.

Every writer comes to a point in their career where they need to engage with others who are on this crazy writing roller coaster. Not only has my group helped me to spot points in my stories where my plot wasn't where it needed to be or grammar mishaps, but they also support and motivate me in times when I need that extra push. All in all, my critique group makes me a better writer.

Do you have a critique group? What made you decide to get one or not? What makes your group great?

Happy Writing!!!

YOU CAN'T ALWAYS PLEASE EVERYONE

So, I've decided to participate in WriteOnCon.com, an online conference for children's book writers. It's a great opportunity for writers who can't make it to the regular conferences held around the world, and I'm so psyched about attending!

One of the many perks of the site include a place to upload queries and first pages, and the conference has a section open early so participants can get some input on their work. I put my query up and got some really encouraging feedback - people loved my query and thought my story would definitely be a great fit for the teen market today. I was flying high...on top of the world. No one could bring me down. That is, until one person came in with a critique, marked my query up in red, and basically didn't like or get anything about it.

When I read the critique I was a bit hurt - hell, I was crushed. I began to question all the work I'd done. Is my query completely unclear? Have I written a story that no one will want to read? Have my blood, sweat, and tears all been for nothing? I was drowning in silly sadness - all because of one person's opinion.

After speaking to my critique group, I realized that this experience is an inevitable part of the process. Just like no two readers will feel the exact same about a writer's work, no two agents will. It's not personal, it's just the way it is. And I had to realize that for the one bad critique I received, there were seven others that were overall pretty good.

So when you get one, or two, or even twenty negative or neutral responses, remember that this business is a subjective one. As a writer, you just have to trudge through those responses to get to the ones that matter - to get to the people who will love and get your work.

So, as Eddie Kendricks put it, "Keep on truckin', baby."