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Showing posts from December 2, 2007

Jay Hearts The Critique Group

There are a lot of writers out there, professional and otherwise, who don't use critique groups. Until recently, I was one of them. The reason why I didn't use them was because I had had some bad experiences with critique groups in the past. These problems, which seem to be universal, come in various forms: 1. the Nice Group - this group only says nice things about your work. Groups like this are like mutual masturbation - they are better than going it alone, and they're satisfying in the moment, but ultimately you're left with the feeling that there's something more fulfilling out there. 2. the Court - this group revolves around one person. Either by force or by acquiescence of the other members, this group revolves around one writer, and all other submissions are compared to the sovereign. These are boring ego-fests, and a waste of time. 3. the Social Group - this group exists only so its members have an excuse to get out of the house and hang out with ad