Don’t
Get Stranded on an Island – the Value of Critique Groups
Sometimes being an author can feel like
getting stranded on a deserted island, just off the mainland. You can
see other artists around you. Some are paddling desperately in the
water, fighting to stay afloat. Others are building beautiful
structures in the middle of civilization, having great success in all
they do; while there you are, on your own, attempting to navigate the
daunting world of writing—which sort of feels like sitting on the
beach, trying to light a fire with wet wood.
For me, one of the most important
factors of my writing has been joining a critique group. Nothing else
has proven to be quite as productive as finding that little clan of
people who are going through the same journey. We call our group
Trail Mix—and with good reason. We all met thanks to SCBWI, and
we’re as unique and varied a bunch as you could possibly throw
together. We span the realm of children’s books, from illustrators
to picture book writers to middle grades and young adult. We have a
myriad of outside careers and interests. We are many different ages
and come from assorted backgrounds. Our love of books brought us
together, but it didn’t stop there.
We provide encouragement and a shoulder
to cry on, yes. Those things are certainly important. But we also
provide critique—deeply thought-out and constructive help in every
area. It’s not enough to get together and just commiserate. You’ll
feel better, but no one will improve her skills. You have to be
willing to be vulnerable as the artist and brutally honest as the
reader, and we’ve managed to create a beautiful balance in our
group. But most importantly, we have become great friends. Nothing
could be better than that.
Trail Mix meets once a month, but our
communication extends far beyond that. We regularly communicate
through our Facebook page, emails, and even phone calls and
texts—whenever we need advice or a second set of eyes, someone in
our group is always there to meet the challenge, whether it’s a
sweet hug or a swift kick in the pants.
I honestly don’t think I would’ve
kept moving forward in my quest for publication for my YA novel Grey
had it not been for my critique group. It’s been a long road, but
now that I’ve found a home for my series and the first book is out,
I can say it’s largely due to their support.
It’s a lonely place, sitting at your
computer, lost in the worlds you create in your head. Friends and
family, although incredibly supportive, don’t always understand
your battle with writer’s block or your struggle to find the
missing piece in a chapter that’s literally driving you insane.
It’s amazing to have a group of people who truly get me as a writer
and constantly help me develop my craft. If I have one piece of
advice to offer any aspiring writer, it’s this: find at least one
other person to travel with on this journey. Don’t be an island.
- Christi J. Whitney
ABOUT CHRISTI:
Christi writes novels for the YA and NA markets. She is a theatre nerd who makes costumes on shoestring budgets, dabbles as an actor and director, and manages to drink lots of coffee.
Visit her website to read more about her and her book, GREY.
WHERE TO FIND CHRISTI:
Don't Forget!!!
Southern Breeze offers a crit group survey form < http://goo.gl/forms/onpPedf7IL >
This survey is for SCBWI Southern Breeze members who are looking for critique groups or a manuscript exchange, or are in an existing crit group that is open to new members?
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