from SierraWriters.org
For a handful of years, when I was new to Grass Valley, I was not part of a writing critique group. The sad result was that I wasn’t writing. When I have a deadline and people are expecting me to submit something for critique, it gives me the push I need to write. For nearly every writer I know, a writing critique group is an essential and supportive place that helps them take their writing to the next level, whatever their writing goals may be.
As a writer, if you are disciplined enough, you might be sending out poems, short stories, or personal essays to be considered for publication in literary magazines. Of course, this is a good idea as it motivates you to polish your writing. But the truth is, while getting published in a literary magazine can feel like it lends legitimacy to your work, it usually doesn’t provide a connection between you and other writers who will help you become a better writer. Once in a while, literary magazine editors throw an editing suggestion your way, but most likely you will receive the regular form rejection letter. These letters pile up, and you might wonder, “Why wasn’t that piece accepted?” A critique group can help you know what is working in your writing, where your readers might be getting tripped up, where you might expand your ideas, scenes, or metaphors, and where you might want to trim so as not to put your readers to sleep. Members of your critique group see things that you can’t. They help you to have an epiphany about how to revise your piece (the roots of revision being, of course, ‘a seeing again.’)
The unfortunate truth, for those of us who love to write, is that writing is hard. I don’t know why; it seems so simple to put words on a page. But to sit down, and in a disciplined way, actually write something is part frenzy and part meditation. And in that moment, you are the only one you can depend on. But your lonely hobby (or vocation) can be transformed ifyou have someone waiting at a café table or in a conference room with a smile and hands held out for our work. To have others see and reflect on your creative piece is validating, even if you go home with reams of constructive criticism. Sometimes we all need to be steered in the direction we weren’t even sure we were headed. A writing group can give us that.
Here is a question: why can so many of us who love to write attend book groups—read a 300+ page novel we may not even like that much—in order to meet with a roomful of people to discuss it, and we can’t devote that amount of time to a group to discuss our own writing? Fear, certainly. It is troubling to think of how many things we don’t do because of fear. How do we grow without facing our fears? If we wish to have a creative component in our lives, we should be willing to put our work out there once in a while, for good or bad, and say “Here it is.”
I remember chatting with the poet Dorianne Laux after she had given a wonderful reading. She asked me whether I wrote. I timidly said that yes, I wrote poetry. “Are you sending anything out?” she asked, encouragingly. When I muttered that I hadn’t been, she said, “So, you’re being selfish with your poetry.” Taken aback initially, I reflected on what she was saying. She was right. Think of all the folks who can’t write for whatever reason. They haven’t found their voice yet. They are in prison and only have the margins of bibles as white space. They have been silenced so many times they aren’t even at the point of fighting to get the words out. When we write and express ourselves, we invite others to do the same. If one person reads your writing and is touched by it, then whatever you went through was worth the struggle. And here is another wonderful benefit to the writing critique group: when you see someone muster the courage to bring their writing forward to the group, it often emboldens you to share your story, your novel chapter, your poem.
So, what I am saying is this: Write. Even if there are clothes on the floor and the toilets haven’t been cleaned all week. If you are longing to write, write. Even if you are tired and need to get up at 6:00 AM. Even if you wanted to be published by 30 and you are 57. Go to some readings, mill around some bookstores, go to writing conferences, meet other writers, and take part in a writing critique group. It will help you take something that is interesting, though perhaps ragged around the edges, and turn it in to something that might inspire everyone, even you.
Lori Varsames
5 Apr 2019Such an inspiration! I’ve been grappling with my group, but the thought of not having that pressure to show up and produce is even worse. Thanks for the wisdom and the encouragement!
ingridkeriotis_4ocnhp
25 Apr 2019Thanks, Lori. So glad it resonated!
AffiliateLabz
16 Feb 2020Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! 🙂
William
31 May 2020Thanks for your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I
will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come
back someday. I want to encourage yourself to continue your
great posts, have a nice afternoon!
Celeste
13 Jun 2020I like reading through an article that can make
people think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to
comment!
Addisonjohan
16 Jun 2020Good site you have here.. It’s hard to find good quality writing like
yours these days. I really appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
Jacque Travali
14 Jul 2020Awesome post. I am a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a really long time.
meubelwinkel online
6 Jul 2021thanks, very interesting 🙂