tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post5149740059315176495..comments2024-03-28T16:52:31.923-04:00Comments on The Write Conversation: Clues Your Writing Critique Group is Going TOXICEdie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-67978011564333531902014-05-30T21:11:37.839-04:002014-05-30T21:11:37.839-04:00My writing groups have a rule that the author is n...My writing groups have a rule that the author is not allowed to talk. This eliminates a lot of advice-refusal (obviously) but also makes things a lot less personal. You're more likely to actually talk about the work instead of airing grievances. At the end, the writer may be allowed to ask some QUESTIONS, but then they go home and ignore whatever advice they didn't like. Win-win!Jace Harrhttp://internetdiderot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-54366373064994555482014-05-30T13:29:01.450-04:002014-05-30T13:29:01.450-04:00I don't get there every month since it's a...I don't get there every month since it's an hour and a half drive, but when I do, our critique group is positive and productive. It's nice to read over a checklist and know we're on track. Thanks, Edie. S. Kim Hensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00628604717256094833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-9249233488893172932014-05-28T15:27:23.252-04:002014-05-28T15:27:23.252-04:00Anita, you're so right. Thanks for stopping by...Anita, you're so right. Thanks for stopping by, Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-62676822975177600862014-05-28T15:27:02.072-04:002014-05-28T15:27:02.072-04:00Ellen, I'm glad you're in a healthy group!...Ellen, I'm glad you're in a healthy group! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-58495909420027832022014-05-28T12:31:43.493-04:002014-05-28T12:31:43.493-04:00It always is a pain when writing or reading groups...It always is a pain when writing or reading groups go wrong, especially since they are great to promote your novel. If the leader and whoever else chooses what books they're reading, that can lead to a lot of sales because they spread the word to their friends. And some reading groups and clubs have like 100, 200 members, so if they buy your book because they're reading it in a month, they're going to tell someone else that's not even a member of that group. But it is never good to stay just because they can help promote when the relationship goes toxic. Great job on calling awareness to this issue!Anita Diggshttp://bit.ly/adeditornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-39962785951228544042014-05-28T12:16:11.631-04:002014-05-28T12:16:11.631-04:00Thanks for this, Edie. Having just recently starte...Thanks for this, Edie. Having just recently started a critique group, it's good to know. So far, none of these is true for us. Hopefully that'll continue.Ellen Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05474986203062305511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-18383289943903300852014-05-28T11:09:08.480-04:002014-05-28T11:09:08.480-04:00Jess, unfortunately just one person can change the...Jess, unfortunately just one person can change the tone of the group. Thanks for sharing your experience! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-11956269058894586132014-05-28T10:28:27.273-04:002014-05-28T10:28:27.273-04:00These are all great warning signs! I've been i...These are all great warning signs! I've been in a group with the person that aruges every single suggestion and it made me leave quickly because I knew it was a waste of both of our time. JessKellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11375615699645608194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-22302467378599919942014-05-28T09:54:44.668-04:002014-05-28T09:54:44.668-04:00Ane, that's GREAT! I have only have two partne...Ane, that's GREAT! I have only have two partners left that I've been with since the very beginning of my career, and I know Vonda Skelton & Mary Denman will always be there for me! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-66828366642474155202014-05-28T09:52:39.690-04:002014-05-28T09:52:39.690-04:00Cathy, I'm like you, blessed to have been the ...Cathy, I'm like you, blessed to have been the part of so many amazing groups. And you're right, trust is the key. Thanks for stopping by, Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-83448207769798306812014-05-28T09:26:17.861-04:002014-05-28T09:26:17.861-04:00I love my critique partners. We began together 11 ...I love my critique partners. We began together 11 years ago. We are brutally honest but never personal (expect when it comes to the praise). I'm so thankful for them. You know them: Attila the Holmes, Genghis Griep, Hannibal Dotta, and Ludwig von Frankenpen. They call me Ane of Mean Gables. I'm passionate abotu critique partners. :)Southern-fried Fictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17274634359952391833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-83651820613791224062014-05-28T08:30:54.629-04:002014-05-28T08:30:54.629-04:00Great info, Edie. Thankfully, I've been blesse...Great info, Edie. Thankfully, I've been blessed to be a part of amazing critique groups. The only thing I might add is that it's difficult for toxicity to exist when there's solid trust among the group. I can receive any feedback on my work, no matter how harsh, as long as I know the heart of the person sharing is doing so for my good and because they want the best for me. Cathy Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09387472095598640704noreply@blogger.com