Writing Groups: Are they useful? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T08:00:38Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/writing-groups-are-they?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A196847&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI read once that Dean Koontz…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-06-07:537324:Comment:2019222009-06-07T05:45:49.413ZJohnny Ostentatioushttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnnyOstentatious
I read once that Dean Koontz was totally against them because it's a clique atmosphere. Even though he hasn't written a good book since <i>Mr. Murder</i>, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to agree with him.
I read once that Dean Koontz was totally against them because it's a clique atmosphere. Even though he hasn't written a good book since <i>Mr. Murder</i>, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to agree with him. I'm currently doing a masters…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-16:537324:Comment:1986732009-05-16T08:52:43.680ZPaul Masonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PaulMason
I'm currently doing a masters in creative writing at a local university.<br />
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As part of the course we have a writers' group and we also have an informal writers' group that meets up in a pub.<br />
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I found the taught writing group quite useful with some limitations. As I was older then most of the others in the group, (I'm retired, most were just from getting their first degree from college/university). As such they were not confident in being constructive with their criticism.<br />
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The tutor, an…
I'm currently doing a masters in creative writing at a local university.<br />
<br />
As part of the course we have a writers' group and we also have an informal writers' group that meets up in a pub.<br />
<br />
I found the taught writing group quite useful with some limitations. As I was older then most of the others in the group, (I'm retired, most were just from getting their first degree from college/university). As such they were not confident in being constructive with their criticism.<br />
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The tutor, an established author, twice shortlisted for the Mann-Booker prize, was on the whole quite good. He challenged my writing style - I was in places being too derivative and it gave me a lot to think about in characterisation and structure.<br />
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I had one session where he laid into to my work tearing it apart paragraph by paragraph. A lot of the attack was in my opinion wrong. It knocked my confidence quite badly. Thinking it through I now feel he was trying to get me to write in his style and longer term I know that style will not work for me and it has strengthened my resolve to go my own way.<br />
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The informal reading group was quite good, except for the fact that the guy who set it up had an ego problem. I've since moved on and have a drink with a few of the group, which is quite helpful.<br />
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I've also turned excerpts from my writing into five minute stories and read them to my local Toastmasters group. (A public speaking organisation) There I got a lot of useful comments from the members.<br />
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I'm slowly evolving an informal group of people to be my own creative writing group, we have some nice riverside pubs nearby, which is helpful, as we are very supportive, but have the confidence to be frank with each other.<br />
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So the answer is yes - you need a writing group. However, be careful, not all criticism will be valid. I found writing groups very u…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-15:537324:Comment:1986022009-05-15T20:38:57.313ZJulie Lomoehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/julielomoe
I found writing groups very useful when I was completing my first two novels. One was an online group organized by Sisters in Crime. We critiqued a chapter at a time, using the editing program available in Word, and the feedback was invaluable. The group also helped me maintain my momentum in that it gave me regular deadlines to meet. Same was true for an in-person group of mystery writers in Saratoga Springs. We met once a month, distributing hard copies a chapter at a time and editing the…
I found writing groups very useful when I was completing my first two novels. One was an online group organized by Sisters in Crime. We critiqued a chapter at a time, using the editing program available in Word, and the feedback was invaluable. The group also helped me maintain my momentum in that it gave me regular deadlines to meet. Same was true for an in-person group of mystery writers in Saratoga Springs. We met once a month, distributing hard copies a chapter at a time and editing the old-fashioned way, by hand.<br />
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In both groups, we consciously focused on the positive so as not to discourage people, and folks were basically kind and supportive. I've heard that's not always the case, though, so you need to be careful and follow your gut feelings about any group.<br />
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Nowadays I wouldn't belong to a group - I feel I've gotten what I could from them and it's time to go it alone. And groups can be very time-consuming - you're right, you sometimes give more than you get, especially when there are novices who don't even know the basics.<br />
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Julie Lomoe<br />
<i>Mood Swing: The Bipolar Murders</i><br />
<i>Eldercide</i><br />
<a href="http://julielomoe.wordpress.com">http://julielomoe.wordpress.com</a> I'm a fan of writing groups,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-15:537324:Comment:1985292009-05-15T14:40:56.038ZChris Rhatiganhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ChrisRhatigan
I'm a fan of writing groups, or at least the one I'm a part of. It's a small group all working in different genres. This tends to be a blessing--they pick up on things that I wouldn't otherwise notice. When they give advice that obviously runs against genre conventions, I just smile and nod. Plus it's great to read and provide feedback on other people's work.<br />
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Being part of a group also keeps me motivated to submit my work and develop as a professional. Getting together with a group on a…
I'm a fan of writing groups, or at least the one I'm a part of. It's a small group all working in different genres. This tends to be a blessing--they pick up on things that I wouldn't otherwise notice. When they give advice that obviously runs against genre conventions, I just smile and nod. Plus it's great to read and provide feedback on other people's work.<br />
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Being part of a group also keeps me motivated to submit my work and develop as a professional. Getting together with a group on a regular basis makes writing a less lonely pursuit. Zoetrope's 'virtual studio' i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-11:537324:Comment:1979522009-05-11T02:03:48.643ZDwighthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Dwight
Zoetrope's 'virtual studio' is the best writing group i've come across. Most of the stories from my first book were previewed there and the feedback was always brutally honest and very helpful.
Zoetrope's 'virtual studio' is the best writing group i've come across. Most of the stories from my first book were previewed there and the feedback was always brutally honest and very helpful. Agreed.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-10:537324:Comment:1978532009-05-10T19:17:51.983ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
Agreed.
Agreed. My biggest problem with submi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-10:537324:Comment:1978512009-05-10T19:15:55.744ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
My biggest problem with submitting new work has nothing to do with being tough enough. In all honesty, my husband is a writer and an editor and is my best critic and advisor. I never take offense to any of his advice. The fact is that the first draft, as it is in progress, is unedited, which forces the group to focus on the kind of "copy-editing" trivia that an experience writer would immediately correct on the first-go-round. So it is a waste of time for both the writer and the group.<br />
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By…
My biggest problem with submitting new work has nothing to do with being tough enough. In all honesty, my husband is a writer and an editor and is my best critic and advisor. I never take offense to any of his advice. The fact is that the first draft, as it is in progress, is unedited, which forces the group to focus on the kind of "copy-editing" trivia that an experience writer would immediately correct on the first-go-round. So it is a waste of time for both the writer and the group.<br />
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By submitting only completed work that has already been through the writer's own editing process, the group is freed up to focus on more advanced improvements, like story flow and character development. Frankly, I am a strict editor of my own work, and my husband is an editor at the top of his field. In addtion, when I'm ready to publish I have in the past hired a copy-editor. So having an editor in the group is not really a draw for me. After years of reluctance I f…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-10:537324:Comment:1978452009-05-10T19:05:33.981ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
After years of reluctance I finally joined my first critiquing group last September. We've been meeting approx every 6 weeks since, so I can now finally formulate an opinion on this subject.<br />
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I must confess that my experience is in line with Lisa's. My reluctance was always that offering up bits of a work in progess for critical review would hinder rather than help the creative process. During the first few meetings I did not realise it, but the other more experienced writers in my group were…
After years of reluctance I finally joined my first critiquing group last September. We've been meeting approx every 6 weeks since, so I can now finally formulate an opinion on this subject.<br />
<br />
I must confess that my experience is in line with Lisa's. My reluctance was always that offering up bits of a work in progess for critical review would hinder rather than help the creative process. During the first few meetings I did not realise it, but the other more experienced writers in my group were focusing strictly on works they had previously completed. I, being the green member, foolishly offered up my newest chapters of my current project.<br />
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Needless to say, my creative enthusiasm ground to a halt for the first time in years.<br />
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So now that I've learned my lesson, I'll try this again next season. However, this time I'll be a little wiser. I'll keep my fledgling ms safely under wraps till the first draft is complete, and offer up only difficult bits of my completed work for review.<br />
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BTW -- I have managed to gather some valuable insights from my fellow members, so the experience has been worthwhile, despite its negative impact on my productivity. Now that I'm back in the saddle, I do find myself recalling hints that are improving the work in progress.<br />
Donna Carrick<br />
<a href="http://www.donnacarrick.com">www.donnacarrick.com</a> Great guidelines for a writer…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-09:537324:Comment:1977142009-05-09T14:13:35.671ZLaura L. Cooperhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LauraLCooper
Great guidelines for a writers group. I like the idea of sending the stories out ahead of time, so that minor edits can be communicated in writing. Save the discussion for characterization, pacing, tension, things that might never be addressed if the group is arguing over punctuation.
Great guidelines for a writers group. I like the idea of sending the stories out ahead of time, so that minor edits can be communicated in writing. Save the discussion for characterization, pacing, tension, things that might never be addressed if the group is arguing over punctuation. Things are plodding along. An…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-05-07:537324:Comment:1974442009-05-07T13:19:43.657ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Things are plodding along. And we've got a number of people from MWF here. Well, there's Daniel Hatadi, of course. :)
Things are plodding along. And we've got a number of people from MWF here. Well, there's Daniel Hatadi, of course. :)