Why belonging to critique groups is a bad idea.

Lord Save Me From Critique Groups
By: Dianne Castell

By that title you can figure where I stand on the critique group subject. And there’s a reason I don’t care for them, a really big reason. I once belonged to a critique group and listening to all that great advice set me back light-years in my career. I don't want it to happen to anyone else.

I know, I know, your critique group isn’t like that. Your group is all positive and supportive and sweet and smiles. Yeah, well actually, I’m willing to bet they’re not and too often shoot down an idea you really like. I’m not saying the idea is perfect, maybe needs some work, but it’s yours and new and fresh and it's YOUR voice.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all the years I’ve been writing, what sells your books is your voice. All the stories have been done but not done your way. That’s your voice.

The thought of someone messing with my plot, poking and prodding my characters, rolling their eyes at my voice sends chills up my spine. How can I write a story that’s exciting and make my characters unique and interesting with a group of people passing judgment on my work and...this is the worse part...telling me to change things to suit them! Holy cow! It’s not their story!

If you’re in a critique group think about this the next time you meet. Don’t say anything about reading an article and this woman...namely me... obviously doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about. Instead, sit back and observe. Look at the ideas...yours and others...that wind up being redlined. Who has the right to do that! An editor. No one else.

With so many books being submitted every day the last thing an editor buys is another book like all the rest. They want what stands out and catches their eye. They want the unusual, the fresh take on a plot and how can anyone get there with a red pen hanging over their head?

I interview editors for the Up Close and Personal column for the RWR (Romance Writers Report) and what romance editors tell me over and over is give me something different. Something that makes them run down the hall yelling look at this, look what I found!

Okay, you get the point. Next week I’ll talk about the advantages of a brainstorming group. How positive suggestions get you to think deeper about your ideas, delve into your characters' motives and goals and how tossing out ideas can get your brain going and beef up your basic plot. And also how brainstorming can lead to research like in learning how to smoke a cigar. Hey, you gotta’ take a break from writing once in a while. See you next week.

Dianne Castell
Hot and Bothered
Kensington BRAVA
April 2008
www.DianneCastell.com
DianneCastell.hotmail.com