In my last few blog posts, we have been looking at some of the advantages and disadvantages of joining a writing critique group. Once you have considered the pros and cons of this, it is up to you whether you decide to join one. However, if you do, you might want to think about how to find one and, more importantly, how to choose one that suits you and your book. This blog post will be taking a look at how to do this.
What Type of Group?
There are two main options for joining a writing critique group – either one where you have to physically go to meetings and will meet the other members in person, or one that is purely online. Which type you decide to join will depend on a few different factors, which we will briefly consider now.
One point to think about is what you want out of a writing critique group. If you feel that you would be more able to bond with other writers if you will be meeting them in person, it is probably necessary for you to join this type of group. Do bear in mind the limitations of this, such as having to travel and groups likely covering broader genres.
On the other hand, you may find it easier to give and receive feedback with a screen between you, making it easier for everyone to be honest with each other. If this is your preference, you have a lot more options of groups for all the different genres, but you will need to be especially diligent when you are researching them, as it is a lot easier for anyone to set up an online group.
Sometimes which type of group you join will be beyond your control. For example, if you live in a particularly rural area and cannot reliably travel to more urban areas, you may have to join an online group to stand any chance of making the meetings!
How to Choose a Group
Similar Situation
The first thing to look for in a writing group is one where the members are in a similar situation to you. It is best if you are all writing in the same genre so that you get more specific feedback from people who know about your chosen genre.
It also helps if you share the same goal, whether this is to be accepted by a traditional publisher, self-publish, or simply to write because you enjoy it. Either way, things tend to work best if you are all on the same page and have the same goal for your writing.
Finally, it is worth considering if you are at the same stage in your writing. For example, if you are a more experienced writer, you may feel constrained if you join a group of beginners. On the other hand, one or two newer writers should be fine in a group of more experienced ones, provided there are enough experienced members.
Overall, if you share the same goals and level of experience, as well as writing in the same genre, it is more likely that you will feel engaged with the group. This makes it easier to make the necessary commitment.
Commitment Required
The next thing to consider is how much time you can devote to the writing group. How often would you like to meet? How much writing can you produce in the time available? Don’t forget that you will also need enough time left over to give detailed feedback on the other members’ writing.
Type of Writing
Finally, think about what sort of writing you would be happy reading regularly and giving feedback on. You can deal with this to a degree by only joining groups in your genre, but even then, there may be a lot of sub-genres that you don’t like. If you live in an urban area or are happy with an online group, you may be able to find one that is specifically for your sub-genre. You can also assess the style of writing by stating your favourite authors and asking what the other members of the group like. This is not foolproof but can be a good guideline.
How to Find a Group
Now that you know what you’re looking for, where should you start your search for the right group? One of the best places to go is a networking opportunity for writers, such as a conference. If you mention to some of the other writers there that you want to join a critique group, they may be able to point you in the right direction. If not, you might find enough interested people to start your own group. The advantage of this way of looking is that you can meet other members in person before joining a critique group.
Other places that you can look include writing associations and your local library. Alternatively, you can try searching online, but it can be hard to find out much about each group and what would be best for you.
Wrapping Up
I hope that this helps you in your search for a critique group! Every writer is different, so what is a good match for others won’t necessarily be good for you. Keep looking and you should find one that suits you and your book eventually. In my next blog post, we will be considering some self-editing tips, so come back in two weeks for that!
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