tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post5512380185119614602..comments2023-10-14T06:54:41.793-06:00Comments on Julie Coulter Bellon: Writing Tip---Critique GroupsJulie Coulter Bellonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695605817809301518noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-33565435727815298062012-02-07T13:07:47.587-07:002012-02-07T13:07:47.587-07:00Heather, I'm so glad you found us and congratu...Heather, I'm so glad you found us and congratulations for starting on your novel. So many people say they'll do is someday and you've just jumped in. It's so exciting!<br /><br />Janice, honestly it took me a long time of looking to find the right fit. I think it's a hit and miss thing for sure. <br /><br />Melanie, I've been there and done that. No fun. I hope you don't give up looking.<br /><br />Debra, I'm so glad you mentioned ANWA, since I've heard so many great things about it. What a wonderful service for writers.<br /><br />Gina, sometimes I still feel that way and I've published seven books! What is it about writers that makes us so insecure about ourselves?<br /><br />Brittany, I always leave feeling revved up, too! It's like a mini-writing conference. :)<br /><br />Sarah and Jill, I hope you can find one and I wished we all lived closer! Wouldn't it be fun to all be in a critique group together? At least we have the blog. :)Julie Coulter Bellonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07695605817809301518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-11898806091013901942012-02-03T01:22:56.834-07:002012-02-03T01:22:56.834-07:00I don't have a critique group yet, but you can...I don't have a critique group yet, but you can bet when the time comes that I'll be looking for one. I'm not deluded enough to think I can do this on my own without any help. It's so much easier to see something in someone else's work that you miss in your own.Sarah Tokeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273148070092101085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-22057299540571106712012-02-02T22:49:26.506-07:002012-02-02T22:49:26.506-07:00Was in a critique group a million years ago and lo...Was in a critique group a million years ago and loved it. Maybe I'd write more, okay maybe I'd write PERIOD if I had a group. Any of you first commentors in the Salt Lake area? Anybody want to start a group?Jill Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10427035187471994358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-69585410736434427092012-02-02T20:55:21.657-07:002012-02-02T20:55:21.657-07:00I LOVE my critique group! Now that I'm going b...I LOVE my critique group! Now that I'm going back through my finished project to edit it, I can see how much better my writing is because of the suggestions of my critique partners. Not only that, but critiquing and editing someone else's work makes me look a closer look at my own. <br />But even after 9 months with my group (and there are only 3 of us), I'm still nervous every time I read my stuff to them. I drag my feet getting there, but when I leave I'm always revved up to write some more.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08988380942364542353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-2285214387213343222012-02-02T19:50:10.016-07:002012-02-02T19:50:10.016-07:00I just joined my first one.
And I am scared.
I...I just joined my first one. <br /><br />And I am scared. <br /><br />I know I need the feedback, and I think I am ready for it... but... what if I'm completely useless and nobody wants to help me anymore? And what if everybody looks at my genre/story idea/whatever and is like, "Uh... that's dumb. I'm not reading that."<br /><br />And then I won't get any help AND I will feel stupid. <br /><br />So... yeah. That's where I am with critique groups as of right now.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02739830983426330836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-53474687471824703062012-02-02T18:58:04.091-07:002012-02-02T18:58:04.091-07:00I am a member of an on-line critique group. We mee...I am a member of an on-line critique group. We meet "together" yet I've never met any of the other ladies in person before. A few years ago I met Kerry Blair and she was/is a member of American Night Writers Association. This association of LDS women was started in Arizona by Marsha Ward, but has since gone global. Since the bulk of the women live either in the Phoenix area, or in Utah, I had to go the cyber route with my chapter. And you are so very correct, Julie. Having someone look over your manuscript is essential--I just don't like dumping a whole 85K novel on a poor unsuspecting newbie writer unless they ask for it. (Thanks Mel!) I do utilize my group for critiquing synopsis and cover letters, and even will trade manuscripts for critiquing when necessary. And of course they're great for asking questions, stupid or otherwise. Recently we've had great discussions on how Regency ladies unbuttoned their dresses if they weren't wealthy enough for their own abigail's.Debra Erferthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08239033133090036826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-83340049439038839782012-02-02T13:06:22.279-07:002012-02-02T13:06:22.279-07:00I hear so much about how great critique groups can...I hear so much about how great critique groups can be, and each time, I just sigh with envy. I was part of an online group for a while several years ago, but the main person left and then it all fell apart. I don't remember that it was very helpful for me, either; it seemed like I did all the critiquing and got very little in return.Melanie Goldmundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00270135660110676225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-89965561845732634372012-02-02T12:13:57.521-07:002012-02-02T12:13:57.521-07:00I had a critique group for a few months before it ...I had a critique group for a few months before it fell apart. It was great while it lasted. How do you find writers that are close to the same level as you, live nearby, have the same commitment level, really want your opinion, and are willing to give a useful critique?Janice Sperryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00178805752960449557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-24575286776938706742012-02-02T11:55:21.879-07:002012-02-02T11:55:21.879-07:00I do not have a critique group, I am so new to wri...I do not have a critique group, I am so new to writing that I have not even finished my first draft of my first novel, BUT I hope to find one! :) I think I will do best with a strong input from other writers I respect. I'm glad you were able to post about this and I hope I find a great situation, similar to yours.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00163850266884874892noreply@blogger.com