The Great Critique

Giving and receiving critiques on your writing is one of the most helpful and necessary parts of the process. I value my critique group beyond any other writing tools I have. They let me know what works and what doesn't, when something I thought was crystal clear is not, and when my characters are acting out of character. They offer encouragement and cheerleading.

Not only has constant critique made me a better writer, it has made me a more professional writer. When I receive notes from agents, editors, and other professionals, I am able to receive the notes with a professional calmness. I don't get defensive. I get revising.

I hope everyone who writes is able to find a group or a few trusted beta readers who can offer valuable critique, but I know that there are quite a few writers in our SCBWI region (Utah and southern Idaho) who may not even know any other writers in their community. Or perhaps they don't know how to get a group started. Or have never critiqued anyone else's work and feel inadequate.

That is why we started a region-wide event called The Great Critique. We give you the opportunity to meet with other children's writers in your area and critique away. On one day, August 9, we all meet throughout the region, helping each other become better writers (and illustrators--they get to participate as well!). During the summer, you'll receive excerpts from manuscripts by the others registered in your area. You'll read them, prepare comments, and then meet in August for live critiquing. And if you don't have a meeting close by, we offer an online location as well. This event is FREE, and we hope you take advantage of it.

In addition, if you wish to have a critique from a publishing house editor or an agent, you can register for that through our web site. And for an extra bonus, you can get a professional query critique.

You'll find all the details on our registration page. So there are no excuses. Sign up NOW. Registration is open until June 15.


by Neysa CM Jensen
your regional advisor for SCBWI
(I live in Boise, Idaho, but don't hold that against me.)

Crituque Group Ideas

I was a little nervous to join a critique group.
The reasons? I wasn't sure my work was good enough or my skin tough enough.
Now that I'm in a group, I can attest that those reasons are true BUT only AFTER the critique. I have to put away the edited chapter for about ten days before I can fix it and that's okay. I work on other writing in the meantime.
Because of my group (we should come up with a name!) I've been able to see my weaknesses and hopefully work on them while I write.
Because of my group, I've been able to recognize my strengthens as well.

Here are a few ideas/questions for creating a critique group:

• Do want the group to be genre specific or general? Fiction vs. nonfiction?
• 4-5 people are a good start on a group. The group needs to have rules for adding members or bringing people to the group.
• Pick a day, time, how often and how long to meet.
• Does everyone need to bring a chapter each meeting? Do you want to focus on one piece or give everyone a turn? You might need to set a time limit for each piece as well. Do you want everyone to email their work to the group ahead of time or bring a hard copy and read aloud?
• What is the commitment level of the group? Be there every meeting? Is everyone okay if someone doesn't show up for months?
• Pick a location that works for everyone. At a home or restaurant or library, what your group decides.
• Have phone list including cell. Also, Facebook, Yahoo or Google list is a great way to stay connected. Work can also be sent through a couple of these groups to the critique group.
• Don't talk about others work outside of the group.
• Critique the writing, not the writer.