by Edie Melson
I’m a big fan
of having a writing support team. I know I’m a much better writer because I
have a small group of writers I exchange critiques with. I believe there are
very few writers who produce high quality work in a vacuum. These groups may be
set up formally, with specific meeting dates and times. Or they may be less
structured.
But
occasionally the dynamics change, and today I want to share some clues your
critique group is going toxic. These are warning signs that not addressed, may
destroy valuable relationships forever.
One caveat
before I begin, although I have been in situations where these have happened,
they haven’t all happened to me personally. And, I’m ashamed to say, I’ve
unintentionally been the perpetrator of a couple of these. We need to be as
vigilant about our own motives and actions as we are of others.
