Critiquing Rules and Procedures (version 9.2)

 

Meetings are bi-weekly on Sundays. Door opens about 1pm. Critiquing starts at 1:15pm and ends around 4:30pm. We take a ten minute break about 3pm. Bring a beverage (and lunch if you need to).

We are not a drop-in occasionally, public open-mike reading kind of group. Regular attendance is the norm.

We're a big, productive group with a waiting list. Membership is capped at 12.

An attendance "roll call" is emailed the week of the meeting. Please reply to all as soon as possible so that everyone can see how the meeting is shaping up. If you're not sure, respond with a "maybe" asap. Let the group know if you'll be late or need to leave early. Some members are an hour's drive away and everyone's time is limited. If there are issues--weather or not enough attendees or reading to make it worthwhile--we cancel and sometimes reschedule. A summary of attendance, a "recap," is sent out a few days before the meeting. If something unexpected comes up after the recap, please call someone and/or email the entire group.

Members should make the group aware of any special needs/disabilities/allergies, etc.

Manuscripts are not emailed in advance. Here's some of the thinking on this--the only homework for this group is to write. So, we read manuscripts aloud at the meeting; comments and discussion follow. Extra printouts are appreciated (but not required). Printouts should have page numbers, preferably the actual page numbers from the novel so that people have a sense of where a piece fits into the whole. Save paper. Critiquers can share. Printouts may be single-spaced and/or on the back of used paper.

Punctuation errors, misspellings, typos, repeated words, etc. should be marked on printouts, but critiquers must refrain from writing comments. All suggestions should be spoken aloud, so that everyone knows who made them and people can agree, disagree, discuss. Additional comments shouldn't be later emailed privately to a writer unless/until you're friends.

The maximum number of words that each writer can read at a given meeting is relative and depends on the number and productiveness of members at the time. Word count is determined by word processor. It's generally no more than 2000 words each. When we have less members and/or readers, the max could be as much as 3750 words. There is no minimum. Exceptions can be made for publisher or contest deadlines.

The order of reading is set at the meeting's beginning and it's always longest to shortest--those with most words read first, so that we tackle the most challenging pieces first while we're fresh. First timers may read first if they're nervous. A writer bumped from reading at one meeting gets priority at the next meeting.

Once a writer-critiquee finishes reading, the critique begins with a round of positive comments concerning the writer's strengths called "the circle of joy."

The critiquee-writer must absolutely positively not speak during the critique. Seriously! Defending, justifying, or explaining are not permitted. Critiquees may, however, ask for clarification of a suggestion. The thinking: the group's reactions to the actual words on the page are invaluable. It's impossible to both listen and formulate responses; if you're doing one, you're not doing the other. Writer-critiquees need to listen and concentrate on writing down all comments and suggestions for later consideration. The critique is thus preparation for submitting when the writer will not be present to explain and justify to an agent or editor. Please don't put the group leader/moderator in the position of having to cut people off because she will.

Critiquers must not phrase suggestions as questions. Seriously. Although some critiquing methods favor a question method, we've found questions cause critiquees to respond with counterproductive justifications and explanations which eat up our limited time and suck up our energy. Please don't put the group leader/moderator in the position of having to rap your knuckles.

Writers may not read a manuscript more than once, unless unusual circumstances apply, such as a contest or publisher deadline. The same material may be read a second time only if many months/years have passed and the piece has been completely rewritten. The thinking: this forces writers to give us their best the one and only time they read, to learn to fix as many problems as they can themselves beforehand, to more forward rather than endlessly fiddling with a first chapter, and to get habituated to using the critique group as a gentler version of the "real world of publishing" in which an editor or agent gives material one chance. (A piece may never be read a third time. In such cases, ask for volunteer readers to critique outside of the meeting.)

Avoid reading first drafts. Do the best you can on your own first. Treat the group's attention as precious and not to be squandered lightly.

Novels are read scenes at a time over the course of many meetings. Novelists briefly summarize before they begin reading. Some create a one-page, at-a-glance "guide" which includes a cast of characters, a brief outline, and other info. Copies are returned to be used again.

Avoid interrupting.

Avoid repeating yourself and each other. If you agree, nod.

Writers may not read a piece that has already been submitted and accepted (and hence can no longer be revised).

Silence cellphones during critiquing.

Be considerate and gentle, yet professional.

Writers choose when and how often they read; some writers use the meetings as a personal bi-weekly deadline, others read less frequently.

Be aware of personal preferences. Try to be objective. Avoid subjective comments--"I loved it/I hated it." Try to avoid gushing which is the response of an uncritical reader.

Always encourage in the critique. Be constructive and tactful.

Avoid blurting your ideas. Take a minute to consider a diplomatic phrasing of reactions.

Avoid words such as "stupid" or derogatory judgments such as calling someone a beginner.

Writers are free to do whatever they like with feedback--implement it or ignore it. Writers decide later, on their own, after the meeting. They should not discuss their dilemmas or justify their choices during the critique.

Offer suggestions and solutions, but avoid rewriting a story.

Be aware of style. Help others develop their style rather than imposing your style on them.

Avoid making jokes about a manuscript. Humor can be hurtful.

Be patient. Be sensitive to different writing levels. Gauge comments appropriately without being totally uncritical or totally brutal.

No digressions into other topics during critiquing.

Sharing another writer's ideas or work with someone outside the group is strictly prohibited unless the writer has given permission beforehand.

Periodically, rules and procedures are reviewed and adjusted. Suggestions for improvements can be made to the group leader/moderator anytime.

Writers who want help developing an idea or story can do "Plots 'r Us" (instead of a critique) in which the group brainstorms solutions for specific problems with plot, motivation, characters, etc. A writer can talk the group through the problem, or provide a brief written outline or summary.

Beginning March 15, 2009, we use a modified version of the Amherst Writers Method with two types of critiques:

1. The limited critique is briefer and produces less feedback.

Anyone may choose this critique, but it is mandatory for new & unpublished members and returning members. The critique begins with a circle of joy in which each critiquer says one positive comment and only one comment. That's followed by a circle of suggestions--each critiquer makes one suggestion and only one suggestion.

Suggestions and comments can be big things or fairly small. A suggestion is more or less a single element/topic. For example, one suggestion might be "I was confused about x because a and b." Or "the character seems inconsistent. In the first scene, she said/did x and y; in the next scene, she said/did a, b, c." Provide enough evidence for the critiquee to understand the point, but avoid lecturing. Critiquers may include a fix in their one and only one suggestion.

No questions from critiquers; no answers from critiquees. Please don't put the group leader/moderator in the position of having to cut people off. Critiquers must not drift into a second element/topic. Elaborating on a suggestion someone else made counts as a critiquer's one and only suggestion. A suggestion could be a second positive comment and would count as the one suggestion. Critiquers must choose what they say and how they say it wisely. If you don't have anything to say, pass. If you agree, just say "ditto."

2. The everything critique is for veteran & published members who need and want any and all suggestions. The circle of joy is followed by free-flowing discussion of problems and suggestions.

Potential new members may not read and do not participate in critiquing at their first meeting; they observe quietly to get a sense of how the group functions. Think of this as a fairly painless initiation! At the second meeting, new members may, but are not required to, read their own work and critique others.

A writer will be asked to give up their spot for ignoring the guidelines, never or rarely being able to attend meetings, or engaging in unacceptable behavior.

No spitting, hitting, biting, or shooting off guns!

When a member hits the bestseller list for the first time, they buy lunch for the rest of the group at a restaurant of the group's choice!