Interested in joining an active critique group, or starting your own? Contact us at info@unnamedwriters.org.

CRITIQUE GROUP BASICS

When you're giving a critique:

1. Remember - our goal as a group is to support and encourage each other to be better writers. Everything you say in a critique, both positive and negative, should be aimed to meet this goal. Be careful. Yes, the criticism is as important as the compliment but its how you say both that will make the difference.

2. Begin by telling the writer what you liked about his manuscript and work from there. Be professional and offer solutions when possible.

3. Always assume the writer has made his best effort. Always assume the writer has made his best effort. Always assume the writer has made his best effort. (No, that wasn't a typo.)

4. Be brief and don't preach.

5. Accept that each writer has a unique vision for their manuscript. Your critique should help the writer express this vision as clearly and effectively as possible.

6. If you've had the day from hell, please keep that in mind.

7. Remember, you're critiquing the manuscript, not the writer.

When you're getting critiqued:

1. Don't take what is said personally. Everyone feels a little vulnerable during a critique but remember, whatever is said is done so with the best intentions, specifically to improve your writing. Trust is a huge part of a critique group.

2. Take notes. You won't remember everything by the time you get home.

3. Listen more than you talk. This is not the time to defend your writing or challenge what is being said (you won't be able to do this when an editor reads your stuff either). If you feel there is a misunderstanding or something you need to explain, that's fine, but for the most part this is your time to listen.

4. Take control. Don't let people talk over each other or carry on side conversations.

5. Don't rush home and rewrite. Give it some time, consider everything and then in a quiet space, make your own decision. If at the end of your critique you feel challenged and not picked on, complimented and not coddled, eager to get back to work and not ready to start small brush fires with your manuscript, then the group has done its job.

This is how every critique should be.