I may borrow the "Apple" concept. I belong to three groups here in Spain and one I ZOOM with in Canada. They are all different and I get so much out of each group. Having people from different cultures in a group is very valuable, especially if you wish to sell your work internationally. One group does tend to get off track, discussing subject matter instead of the writing. I need to pull them back in without sounding like the pushy North American.
Three! Very good--do you workshop your Amanda series with more than one? Do you work on different types of work with each?? You've made me curious. (For Unschool folks, Darlene has a wonderful children's mystery series with a recurring character who travels! https://www.goodreads.com/series/200662-amanda-travels)
Yes--each group needs at least one person to rein in. Hard to see you as "pushy!" But yes, "subject matter" especially in writing for young people (for which everyone has an opinion, if not an agenda!) can get to be too much.
I used to keep a piece of paper in the middle of the table when I taught grad workshops, and when such points got to be too much, I'd reach for it, jot down whatever was the issue, and visually "table it" for a noon-time talk outside of class time.
Yes, I workshop parts of each Amanda book with all the groups as it is great to get different perspectives. In one group we are given prompts and create a short story using a prompt, then critique them. It's amazing what others come up with. It is such good practice and as you say, we learn from each other. Another group is made up of mostly poets. Wow! do they have a way with words and give me another way to look at my prose. I like the idea of tabling a discussion that is not about the writing. Thanks.
I’m not knew to critique groups, but have found that many writers don’t read out of their writing genre or been introduced to the concept of writing for the ear. Having the computer or someone else read your work out loud can really help. Emerging writers freak at that.
Especially with a bit of time... To return to a well-chilled ms and read aloud; you'll hear all sorts! sound and rhythm, and questions of logic and story.
Apple! 🍎 What a great idea!
It really is. Simple.
I may borrow the "Apple" concept. I belong to three groups here in Spain and one I ZOOM with in Canada. They are all different and I get so much out of each group. Having people from different cultures in a group is very valuable, especially if you wish to sell your work internationally. One group does tend to get off track, discussing subject matter instead of the writing. I need to pull them back in without sounding like the pushy North American.
Three! Very good--do you workshop your Amanda series with more than one? Do you work on different types of work with each?? You've made me curious. (For Unschool folks, Darlene has a wonderful children's mystery series with a recurring character who travels! https://www.goodreads.com/series/200662-amanda-travels)
Yes--each group needs at least one person to rein in. Hard to see you as "pushy!" But yes, "subject matter" especially in writing for young people (for which everyone has an opinion, if not an agenda!) can get to be too much.
I used to keep a piece of paper in the middle of the table when I taught grad workshops, and when such points got to be too much, I'd reach for it, jot down whatever was the issue, and visually "table it" for a noon-time talk outside of class time.
To focus on writing is key.
Yes, I workshop parts of each Amanda book with all the groups as it is great to get different perspectives. In one group we are given prompts and create a short story using a prompt, then critique them. It's amazing what others come up with. It is such good practice and as you say, we learn from each other. Another group is made up of mostly poets. Wow! do they have a way with words and give me another way to look at my prose. I like the idea of tabling a discussion that is not about the writing. Thanks.
I love the idea of working with a group who write in another form!
I’m not knew to critique groups, but have found that many writers don’t read out of their writing genre or been introduced to the concept of writing for the ear. Having the computer or someone else read your work out loud can really help. Emerging writers freak at that.
Especially with a bit of time... To return to a well-chilled ms and read aloud; you'll hear all sorts! sound and rhythm, and questions of logic and story.
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