tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post6153972499281613795..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Building a Critique GroupDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-80683252395586269602014-10-28T09:23:39.580-06:002014-10-28T09:23:39.580-06:00We try to meet 8 times in person a year. Depending...We try to meet 8 times in person a year. Depending on our needs and the others time scheduling, we do critique each other's work beyond that setting. I have the most free time and I love critiquing their work, because I love reading it, and I critique anything and everything they need me to. I've even offered to edit, format, and upload their books should they ever decide to go Indie. I believe in them that much.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-76519754352186288832014-10-23T16:56:10.122-06:002014-10-23T16:56:10.122-06:00I'm a little lost. Do you critique other than ...I'm a little lost. Do you critique other than the times you meet in person, say online? I think you're lucky to have three other people you can work with so well. I have one critique partner who is a constant. We switch 20-25 pages every two weeks, no fail. I write much harder stories, and she's lighter. She has strengths I don't have, and vice-versa. It works well for us, but we're not always gentle with each other. Not mean, but very honest and we don't pull punches. I'm thrilled with the arrangement, and she is too. We've never critiqued in person as she lives hours away. <br /><br />I have another local critique partner who isn't good at a regular schedule, so if anything comes up, we send big batches. We also read the full at the end. She's a far better grammarian than I am. I feel lucky to have two terrific writers to work with. <br /><br />Great post, Diana. I hope you keep your ladies for a long time.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-82735801328054891262014-10-23T14:23:05.023-06:002014-10-23T14:23:05.023-06:00Pshaw.Pshaw.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-76657293571559879992014-10-23T11:55:11.818-06:002014-10-23T11:55:11.818-06:00These 10 points -- 11 if you count the "have ...These 10 points -- 11 if you count the "have fun" one -- are great starters to begin a group and ongoing guides for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of that group. I especially appreciate 5 and 8. Constructive criticism delivered straightforwardly and with compassion can be worth its weight in gold. Harsh criticism, on the other hand, does nothing but discourage and alienate. And I've learned the hard way that egotists and narcissists are always destructive in any relationship. <br /><br />This post is particularly helpful because I would like to start a critique group in the near future. Thank you, Diana. :-)Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31764883304882624762014-10-23T10:34:58.080-06:002014-10-23T10:34:58.080-06:00Oh, dear. You're awfully hard on yourself, Chr...Oh, dear. You're awfully hard on yourself, Christopher. LOL.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-67893779195738543612014-10-23T09:46:50.679-06:002014-10-23T09:46:50.679-06:00I've thought about joining a critique group, D...I've thought about joining a critique group, Diana, but to paraphrase one of my heros, I'd never belong to a group that would have me as a member.Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.com