This fall, I am participating in a fictional writers' critique group through the Wisconsin Writers Association. It is my first one with this organization. Our Writing Mentor/Coach helps us with time management, reminding us to submit our work on time, and provides any additional assistance we need.
My earlier experience with critique groups was in person. I appreciate that this group is available through Zoom, which is very convenient. I am getting used to using Google Docs, but it was a rough start at first. Hopefully, I keep improving.
Once we share our work via Google Docs, we can read and make comments. I have never done this before, so it is new and amazing. We have two weeks between our sessions, and I appreciate having the time to read the work of other writers that has been shared. Since we read each other’s work beforehand, we can familiarize ourselves with the readings and comments to one another. Then, once we meet online, we can take advantage of being prepared to offer thoughtful comments during our Zoom discussion.
As writers, we have particular ideas that we have written, that we have practiced, or have knowledge of. It is very helpful for me to get feedback from someone who is reading my story for the first time. Sometimes, small details don’t always come across clearly to the reader.
To Critique is to review, examine, and encourage, which gives us individually a chance to improve ourselves and our creative process.
Sharing work is always a challenge for any creative person, whether it is in visual art, writing, or other art forms. Critiquing each other makes us vulnerable, and it does take courage for us to participate and share a part of ourselves.
If you are like me, you still remember what it was like to read your book report aloud to your 5th-grade class, or forget your piano piece, or dance steps in a recital. Even in college art classes, critiques were something I had to learn to do and process the comments to help me improve. Exhibiting artwork also means getting your work out to the public; it's never easy.
I don’t think it matters what your art is; there is a component of fearfulness in some way. There are countless singers and actresses, such as Barbara Streisand, who have experienced stage fright before a performance. So, yes, we can acknowledge how vulnerable we may feel, but also recognize that we learn from one another. It’s being human.
In other words, we probably never get over it; we have to make ourselves always try and not let our fears or anxiety get the upper hand. I had to have the courage to sign up for this critique in the first place.
Do you have any personal experiences with critiques or discussion groups? Please feel free to leave your comments. I’d love to hear from you.
