Life Of E's

In a recent article by Gigi Rosenberg entitled, “Critiquing Critique Clubs” (Writer’s Digest March/April 2009: 12-13), she offered a brief quiz along with the rest of her ideas:

Is your critique group working for you? Take this quiz to see if you should hit the road.

1. Are you writing more?
2. Are your fingers “on fire” after you meet?
3. Can you take any irritability or anger and let it propel you back to writing?
4. Do you feel the focus of the group is on the work, or is time wasted on non-writing topics?
5. Are your colleagues as serious about their writing as you are?
6. Do you think your readers’ notes lead you to better writing?
7. Does the group support your ambitions as a writer?
8. Does the group “get” you? In other words, do they laugh at the funny parts?

If you answered “yes” to six out of eight questions, then you’re probably in a good group that’s helping more than hindering. If not, politely excuse yourself. Then find some readers – one or two will suffice – who support the writer you aspire to be.

I hope you have a writing group – even one or two other people is PLENTY.  They may be part of your MasterMind group or maybe you only meet to work with one another on writing.  And, the cool thing is, your writing response group can be virtual.

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Tags: articles, Books, mastermind, response, Writer's Digest, writing, writing groups