Critical Connections

We have often talked about the process of critique groups and their great value. But it stands out much more clearly for me when I am physically a long distance from my New Jersey SCBWI group in the winter and I am still connected by internet.

When I receive and read a colleague's work via email and comment on it in solitude I am still involved in the process. As I applaud the writer on the manuscript and note suggestions for possible changes I am hearing in my mind other members of the group making their comments too. And, I wonder, what would this person say about the plot or that one about the characters? Do they say ratchet up the tension or bring it down? Show these two characters as being much closer so it is believable that they will act for each other, or do they say, delete this guy? I can hear their voices discussing the pros and cons.

Receiving critiques on my manuscripts works well too. Every critique doesn't arrive on the same day so I have time to mull over the comments before seeing others. It's interesting to read each critique as it comes in over "the wire" and observe the similarities and differences of the comments. One of the fascinating aspects is the individual suggestions that the members make for improvements in the story - so valuable coming from different perspectives and choice of language and approach - unique word possibilities, plot twists or character enhancements - seeing these comments starkly black on white with no conversation is often very helpful.

Nothing, however, takes the place of being there - whether being in the mix of offering suggestions to other writers or receiving them yourself or enjoying the comaraderie of the bon mots and jokes that are interspersed in the commentary.

Critique groups are critical connections for writers and many of us find them invaluable. Since most groups work in similar but certainly in different ways too, what critical connections does your group offer you?And here is the rest of it.