tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post7649841971937487252..comments2024-03-18T09:25:56.836-04:00Comments on The Write Conversation: What's the Value in a Critique Group or Writing Partner?Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-29073941763137514022018-12-01T22:42:52.270-05:002018-12-01T22:42:52.270-05:00So thankful and blessed by my Word Weavers! Forgin...So thankful and blessed by my Word Weavers! Forging relationships, helping each other grow, learning, learning, learning.Terri Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08248545300838744522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-76410661986730330542018-11-30T22:05:08.336-05:002018-11-30T22:05:08.336-05:00Linda, it's such a blessing to have writers li...Linda, it's such a blessing to have writers like that in our lives! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-14269024245415879422018-11-30T22:04:37.278-05:002018-11-30T22:04:37.278-05:00Lisa, that's a great attitude! Blessings, ELisa, that's a great attitude! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-88392548501997511742018-11-30T22:04:20.141-05:002018-11-30T22:04:20.141-05:00Ane, I agree! I have some crit partners I've b...Ane, I agree! I have some crit partners I've been with almost since the beginning. I wouldn't be where I am today without them! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-39254219026902622582018-11-30T22:02:44.432-05:002018-11-30T22:02:44.432-05:00Jay those are excellent suggestions, love framing ...Jay those are excellent suggestions, love framing them as questions! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-18594786297977884462018-11-30T22:01:50.148-05:002018-11-30T22:01:50.148-05:00Jim, glad to help! Blessings, EJim, glad to help! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-32483650766601808542018-11-30T16:50:53.879-05:002018-11-30T16:50:53.879-05:00The first time I joined an online critique group w...The first time I joined an online critique group was about eleven years ago. Back then, I was such a novice I didn't even know what POV meant. But God matched me up with some great women who took me under their wings and gently guided me. I can't put a price on their "virtual" love and teaching. It made me a better writer and now I'm paying it forward to others. The right critique group is a must for every writer.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10742313107472665351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-91065439435777283232018-11-30T09:36:31.248-05:002018-11-30T09:36:31.248-05:00I agree with you, especially about a hunger to imp...I agree with you, especially about a hunger to improve. I have learned so much when I'm rewriting a previously published piece (before I was in a critique group). It's so exciting to bring it up a notch!Lisa Hetzelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17642270726288457151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-90232057459500353502018-11-30T09:00:33.524-05:002018-11-30T09:00:33.524-05:00I was blessed to find the critique partners I have...I was blessed to find the critique partners I have. We've been together for 14 years. What we had in common was a desire to become good enough to get published. We learned together, shared what we learned and encouraged each other. <br /><br />What we didn't do was give each other false compliments. But we cared enough about each other to push each other to do our very best. God deserves our best, not our leftovers. <br /><br />We do not meet in person. Now we are all published and working on deadlines. We also live in different states. Our chapters are emailed to each other and usually critiqued right away. That way, everyone gets the same amount of time. <br /><br />We're a small group of 4 writers. It's enough for anyone. But I wouldn't attempt to write without my CPs. They make me so much better. I can call one of them when a story is going off track or I get stuck for some reason. <br /><br />They have become my closest friends.Southern-fried Fictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17274634359952391833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-82693914377591705952018-11-30T06:59:28.206-05:002018-11-30T06:59:28.206-05:00Good list, Edie - especially the "HUNGER"...Good list, Edie - especially the "HUNGER" to improve. That could, maybe should, be declared by all now and then. And it certainly must be demonstrated. <br /><br />Your #1 is critical: find the redeeming quality and share it up front. "this is bold", "that is a powerful phrase and I like where you placed it", "this character is already growing on me", "what a vivid scene - I felt the tension." <br /><br />I have found that more ground can be covered if some of the critique can be framed as questions rather than statements. "What if you reversed these two paragraphs?", "I'm missing something here - why did she bring that up again?", "Have you considered breaking the long narrative in this scene with some dialogue?" A well-timed, well-framed question can sometimes be more easily heard and considered.<br /><br />Jay Wright - Anderson, SCAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379140810362137777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-89050591568197601812018-11-30T06:10:39.814-05:002018-11-30T06:10:39.814-05:00Agree with your guidance Ms. Edie. If the person d...Agree with your guidance Ms. Edie. If the person delivering the critique is more interested in showing their expertise, find a new group. For me, learning to use the "sandwich method" has helped me both as a reviewer and a recipient. God's blessings ma'am.Jimhttp://www.jdwininger.comnoreply@blogger.com