Writing Class to Critique Group - College Stories

When I first started college for my Bachelor's degree I took several writing/book classes for my extra classes. I loved the idea of being able to learn from people who knew what they were doing. (Cause honestly at that time I didn't know what I was doing and most days still don't know what I'm doing). One of the classes I took was called Literature for Young Adults. In this class we read several classic Young Adult novels (Such as The Giver and Star Girl). Books I had been told in High School to read that I of course did not because... well then it's homework.

I loved the teacher, and she encouraged me to read them even if they were homework (giving me a great idea of reading them out of order so they were not "assigned" at the time of me reading them, thus were not homework). One of our final assignments was to read a section of a Young Adult novel out loud to the class.

At the time I was writing my own novel, Where Will You Go, and asked if I could read the first chapter of that to the class. After reading it she agreed, so for the first time ever... I read my stuff out loud to a class of strangers (well mostly strangers, we had spent a semester together so I did know them some at that point).

On the bottom of my grade sheet after she wrote, "I am part of a writing critique group, you should check it out."

Now I had heard about critique groups before and I wasn't positive I was ready for one of them just yet... but she kept telling me about it, even after I no longer had class with her. So, a few months later, I decided to check it out.

I went in, expecting to just listen and see how it was ran. The policy of the group was you attended the first session, you saw what it was like, and then if you thought it was for you, you paid dues for the year and came back the next time to read. Which worked perfectly for what I wanted to do. The day I went though, there was not a ton of readers so at the end they asked if I would like to read something.

With some hesitation, I agreed and read chapter one of Where Will You Go. After you read, the group goes around and tells you their notes. As the author, you are not allowed to talk while they critique, this is because once you sell a book, you as the author can't be right there with every reader explaining things, so you can't here either.

I knew my stuff needed work, but listening to them all was a struggle. They tore apart my piece. They passed over torn out sheets of paper with their notes that I shoved into my laptop case planning to forget. After group, the club went to a local restaurant to eat dinner. They invited me along, but I was so upset I declined.

I spent the next hour driving home in the dark of winter trying not to cry. For a week I didn't open my documents, I didn't even want to write again. My teacher asked how I liked group. I told her it seemed fine, but it wasn't really for me I didn't think

A month after my first group, I found the notes. As I was about to toss them, angry at the reminder that I had worked so hard to forget... I read over one of the suggests. It made me pause as... now that I was calmer... it did make sense. I opened my first chapter and read over the notes again. A few still didn't apply but many of them, now calmer, were... correct. I did need to look at my POV and I was in need of better description of the town they were in.

With some hesitation, I returned to the next meeting. This one I did in fact just listen to and didn't read. On break, one of the girls told me she was glad I'd returned as she liked my stuff and was curious as to where it was going. Reluctantly, I told her about my hesitation at coming since I had gotten so many negative comments. She explained that giving all good comments really did nothing for an author. Unless it was something that really stood out as good, there was no reason to comment on the good. What you needed was the places that needed work to make them better. She also mentioned that the more comments and suggests you got, typically meant they liked your stuff as it meant they were paying attention and thus, hearing the mistakes.

I stayed with that group for several years and they helped improve my writing greatly. As I have drifted slightly apart from them, I do stop by sometimes to see how things are going. I am also part of another writing group that has helped with a lot of my current projects.

If you are a writer, I suggest finding a writing group that works for you. They have given some great advice over the years.

1) Once you get feedback, leave it, and come back to it later, a week or two, with fresh eyes. 2) Feedback is just suggestions. You are the author, you can take as much or as little of the feedback.

3) Embrace negative feedback and don't take it to heart. A writing group that only talks about how amazing your stuff is, won't help. All authors, even well know Best Selling Authors, have negative feedback given to them. No one is perfect.

If you are a writer and live in the Flint Area, check out The Flint Area Writers. If you aren't from that area, find a local writing group. It has been a huge help!