Karen Cupp (M) - Clarion west graduate, crit groups.
Gerri Balter - writer who has almost had SF novel published twice, extensive experience with crit groups, Clarion graduate.
Carol Berg - First novel published 3 weeks ago, member of in-person crit groups, contest crits, editor crits at writer's conferences.
Rochelle Uhlenkott - Physicist who dabbles in fantasy, have run and been members in online critique groups.
Which is better for you - a group of people you meet with in-person, or one you "meet" with online? Is there a best group for you? How are crit groups chosen? What do you look for?
R: I was sitting in a corner writing on my own and needed critters. I got onto genie and they encouraged me to start my own writer's group and I did. It went well for a couple years but we had to expel a couple people. They took our stuff and told us we were full of it and told us how to restructure and rewrite the overall story. You don't want a group that just says "this is so lovely".
C: A long-time friend and I used to read each other's material and a couple years ago we went looking for crit groups. We went to a regional writer's conference and found a few people in our area and formed a crit group. We have a diversity of viewpoints. One person is a line editor, one is marvelous at saying "I really don't understand", another has read tons of fantasy and knows when to say "this is a cliché" so we have worked very well.
G: I was naive. I thought everyone wanted what I wanted. I was wrong. In five years I went through ten different writing groups. The shark feeding frenzy crit group didn't work out. I had to decide what I wanted in a writing group. People can suddenly turn on you when you say something that hurts their feelings, even if you meant it constructively. So I turned to online groups. They work best for me.
K: They don't have to be writing the same as you, or at the same level, but they do need to want the same thing as you. It's best to be the low man on the totem pole, but not too far ahead. It's time to leave the group when you're no longer comfortable with it. There doesn't have to be anything wrong. There are diffeent kinds of online writing groups. How do you find them? Advantages and disadvantages?
R: I had sold and in the process I had met a few SFWA members, then met more people online. Critters was on AOL but it was not a quick enough turnaround for me. They are now on critters.org. Del Rey has had some tech problems, but they are a good place to go. Del Rey is trying to do something to fix it. Onlinewritingworkshop.com has a good group. The Baen web site is good.
Yahoo has clubs and invitation-only groups. HotOffice is a free set-up, boards to post on and chats, etc. HollyLisle.com is a very good site with a lot of specialized crit groups. Orson Scott Card's web site has a crit group "Hat Rack". Fiction Writer's connection and the Southwest Writers Workshop are good sites. Several Writers Leagues around the country have crit circles available.
K: The online writers group got me a YA SF/F audience to crit my work.
G: We all have our weaknesses and the group can help me out. Once they know your characters, they know your characters and you need a fresh pair of eyes that don't carry pre-prejudices about your characters. You need a combination.
C: You need to develop an ability to filter what you get and use crits constructively. You need to respect others.
Teamwork:
G: We share everything. Those of us who go to a con report on it and share our experiences.
C: We bring articles and share them. We crit query letters and synopses.
R: If someone has an idea and are trying to flesh it out, we help each other. We give the type of critique that they want. Contacts are important. I've met other writers through Writer's Digest Schools. I'll be going to the World Fantasy Conference this fall.
K: I work all day and write in the evenings. I am not a social person and doing panels is difficult for me. I am a writer. I have trouble being the person to sell me. One of the things Del Rey and Clarion did for me is they said "We are going to the con. Would you like to share a room?" Others in your support group can help you get in contact with agents or editors.
R: This is a profession. Be professional.
Workshops: Some of them have excellent critiques. The agents and publishers are there. You will get excellent professional advice in the classes.