Writers, as we all know, are fragile creatures, and we feel vulnerable when it comes to exposing our work-in-progress. So why should we join a writing group and place ourselves in jeopardy? The main reason is obvious: writing is a lonely profession, and the camaraderie of others sympathetic to our struggles can keep us sane. Writers comfort and nourish each other.  The publishing world can seem heartless these days, and it’s reassuring to discover that the rejection we invariably face is not really personal. – Corinne Demas

Do you attend a writers group?  Is it a group that mostly provides information or do you also critique each other’s work?  If the former, consider finding a Writers Critique Group (WCG) group also.

A critique group can be a priceless asset to an aspiring writer.  Feedback on your work and suggestions for improvement are a big part, but only a part.  Consider this:

 Benefits:

• Thoughtful critique of your work
• The opportunity to critique the work of others (you’ll learn a lot)
• A gentle way to develop ways to cope when someone doesn’t like what you’ve written (developing a thick skin you’ll need if you ever want to publish)
• Exposure to other genres and styles (and ages; diversity is good in work and members)
• A supportive framework for revision
• Learn to be comfortable sharing your work

You can learn a great deal by reading another writer’s work and providing comments because it forces you to notice the mechanics or sentence structures that don’t feel right.  Getting feedback from a group gives you a feel for the difference between a passage not working and someone’s personal preference.

The worst reason to join a writing group is because you want to showcase your work. Writing groups involve give and take; you will spend more time on other people’s manuscripts than on your own. If the group is successful, you will have the pleasure of seeing your feedback improve a colleague’s writing, and you’ll take pride in their published work. (And be thanked in the acknowledgements!) – Corinne Dumas

A WCG can also serve as beta readers.  A member of my WCG is my primary reader as I am hers because neither of us has spouses who want to read our stories.

 Warnings:

• You’ll get what you give so make an effort, but be wary of others who don’t.
• A few ground rules are a good thing.
• Let your WCG know what type of feedback you are interested in, especially if it’s rough and you are nowhere near ready for punctuation feedback.
• Even experienced authors can have their feelings hurt by thoughtless remarks.  Be kind.
• A WCG is not a place for the bitter or the jealous.  The goal is never to pick apart or shred each others’ work, but to tell people what they are doing right, which parts fall short, and where they could improve.
• I cannot stress this enough.  Do not join a group of critical writers who would rather rip your work apart than help you improve it.  Conversely, don’t join a group that says everyone’s work is great as is.
• Learn to take and give constructive criticism gracefully.  This isn’t the place to go with a tender ego or defensiveness, either.

Don’t be afraid to mention that your work has gone through a critique group when you shop it around.  It shows you care and want to do your best.

And one last thing…just because you might move away doesn’t mean you have to leave.  Our WCG meets once a week via Skype.