Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Monday, January 09, 2006

Critique Groups

Writers as a whole tend to think what they write is the next best thing to sliced bread. In order to counteract this bit of foolishness, many participate in a "critique group." This is a group of three to four writers who meet once a week and exchange pieces (chapters, poems, essays, whatever). Throughout the following week each member reads all the pieces and critiques them. At the next meeting, the members discuss the pieces and the critiques, pass out new chapters, poems, essays or whatever and do it all over again.

The critque partners I had for Bride--Anne Dykowski and Heda Christ--have either moved away or moved on. So, at this particular time, I have three main critique partners. Meg Moseley, J. Mark Bertrand and Allison Smythe.

Mark has an article in the January/February 2006 issue of Wittenburg Door called "The Ivy League Bible Club Goes to War." I haven't received my copy yet, and it wasn't a piece I helped critique or anything, but he is a fabulously talented writer with a wonderful ear for humor. So ... I can't wait to read it and thought you might be interested as well.

Don't forget to enter our contest if you haven't already!

posted by Deeanne at 2:02 PM

9 Comments:

Tiff/Amber Miller said...: Ok, Dee. It's all your fault. *g* Other than agreeing with you about this post on crit buds, I'll say that thanks to your office manager contacting me (technical dilemma in accessing Members Only for the ACFW web site so she can get info. on the Book of the Year contest), I lost 2 hours of my day!

First, you *better* send your first book to the contest. *g*

Second, the reason I lost 2 hours of my day is because I just got done reading your blog. Every single post. Ok, so I skimmed the ones for the book discussion, but other than that, I got them all.

I admire you for being able to post as often as you do. I've had my blog since November and there's only about 6 posts there. But, I've made a promise to attempt once a week for now. Writing deadlines, client work on web sites and my job outside the home keep me busy.

Was going to respond to other blog posts, but since hardly anyone's crazy like me to go back and read prior comments, I'm starting here. So, to summarize...

- 7 Seven's. I've been tagged too! See my blog.
- loved the journey to publication series
- don't have a man in my life yet but fully agree with your remarks about honesty and finances
- Sound of Music and volleyball rank at the top of favs list
- cluttered desk? yep!
- memory loss? sad, but true
- glasses, yes, but vision correctable with contacts; I'm vain in that regard as well

And now this comment is WAY longer than planned, so I'll end. I'll be back though. Thanks for the entertaining 2 hours...and for your email through my web site.
Deeanne said...: Welcome, Tiff! I know what you mean about surfing blogs. I'll think I'm only gonna take a quick peek and then *ohmygosh* hours have passed.

Thanks so much for stopping by and staying a while. It was so very wonderful to have you and we look forward to seeing you on a regular basis!
Barb said...: Luv the babe swimming suit in your newsletter, Miz Dee! Cutie husband too--woo woo! :o)
Deeanne said...: Believe me, if I could have found another picture of us, I would have. But, it was the only one I could find!
Meg said...: Tiff, I remember meeting you at the ACFW conference. You're the kind lady who straightened out my ACFW password issues (all my own fault!) months and months ago.

Dee, you're an awesome crit partner yourself. You keep me on my toes but in the kindest way imaginable. Thank you.
Tiff/Amber Miller said...: Meg, I remember meeting you too. Some names are just that. Names. But, some stick in my mind, and yours is one. In my line of work...especially with ACFW...I tend to forget who I've helped. But, your grateful smile and friendly nature at the conference stand out.

Deeanne, this blog is definitely going in my favs list on my blog. Also going to add you to my links page on my web site. Keep up the blessed and inspired writing!
Elizabeth said...: Hello!

I don't know if you remember me, but my name is Elizabeth and I emailed you after I read "Bride." I've passed it onto my friends. I understand what you mean about writers though. When I write it takes awhile for it to get the way I want it to be, but then I'm not very good at changing it at the will of others. The other day I just had an urge to write a poem! I love it when that happens. I hope all is well with you and I hope that I am not out of place posting on here.

God bless and love in Christ.

Elizabeth Powell
Elizabeth said...: Hello!

I don't know if you remember me, but my name is Elizabeth and I emailed you after I read "Bride." I've passed it onto my friends. I understand what you mean about writers though. When I write it takes awhile for it to get the way I want it to be, but then I'm not very good at changing it at the will of others. The other day I just had an urge to write a poem! I love it when that happens. I hope all is well with you and I hope that I am not out of place posting on here.

God bless and love in Christ.

Elizabeth Powell
Deeanne said...: Welcome, Elizabeth, and our e-community is open to all. I am so impressed you wrote a poem. I'm the absoulte worst at writing poems!

When I first started in critique groups I was very guarded about what advice I took and what I didn't. Then one day I copy and pasted my work into a new document (saving the original as is) and then made every single change my critique group recommended. When it was all said and done, the piece was much, much stronger. There were still some changes I didn't agree with and so I switched those back, but overall I found the suggestions were very helpful and now I'm not *quite* so resistant to changes, only a little. Sorta. ;-)