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Why should you join a critique group?

by Guest Blogger Miriam Halahmy: Author, poet, workshop facilitator, writing mentor.

I started writing for children about four years ago. I was commissioned to write a story for children with cancer, Peppermint Ward, by a charity called CancerBackup.
I had never written for children before and I discovered a love and a flair for it. But I didn’t know any other children’s writers. Then I discovered SCBWI who encouraged members to set up critique groups. There wasn’t one for me to join, so I started my own. That was the beginning of the North London SCWBI group (NLSG) which I convened and have been running for over three years.

In work facilitating creative writing workshops I meet many aspiring writers in my work who are desperate to be recognised, published, become famous, etc. But so many have never shown their work to anyone, never listened to any feedback, never engaged in the analysis of their own and others work.
My first advice to them is - Share your work, with a class or a critique group. It could be your first real step towards stardom!

NLSG member, Christina Vinall, who was placed in a Cornerstones competition says:
'Apart from the wonderful inspiring people you get to know - honest professional feedback from fellow writers.'

Of course, creating a healthy, vibrant, supportive critique group doesn’t happen overnight. But with perseverance your critique group could be the foundations for your budding writing career.
The NLSG began with three of us meeting for coffee in Central London. We hit it off straight away but within a year I was the only original member left. At one point there were fifteen people in the group but I wasn’t worried. I knew that the group needed to attract a lot of people before it would take shape and at the beginning I wasn’t sure what that shape should be.

Then I met Candy Gourlay, a few months after we started. Candy was already a committed and experienced writer and also saw the value of a strong critique group. In the early days the monthly meetings in our homes often consisted of the two of us. But we persevered and it paid off.

Candy is now a widely published writer and a winner in the first SCBWI Undiscovered Voices Anthology, 2008

Here are her views on the importance of joining a critique group;
'Gone are the days when editors took a promising author in hand and shaped them into their full potential. I get this kind of nurturing from my critique group - as well as friendship, support, information and it’s a reminder that I do what I do for the love of it. It helps to be in a group with such strong writers as well because it keeps me striving to write better.'


Gradually we recruited more people whom we felt suited the personality of our group and were writing for similar age groups. We agreed that members of our group needed to be working on novels for children to teens. Once we made this decision it was easier to decide who to try out. We wanted very committed writers who would develop their critique skills with us. They didn’t need to be published and personality was also very important. We had to consider whether someone would be a good ‘fit’for out group, not just a good writer. We didn’t want people who would dominate or focus on themselves or put others down.

Helen Peters & Christina Vinall
Helen Peters, who joined NLSG a year and a half ago and who has just received an Honourable Mention in Undiscovered Voices, 2009, comments;
'The value of being in a critique group is greater than I could ever have imagined. It is often easier to recognise problems and strengths in other people's work than in your own, but the process of critiquing trains you to become better at recognising the problems in your own work too. Critique partners keep your writing focused on the story and point out when you're being self-indulgent or getting sidetracked.
In the isolated discipline of writing, your critique group are your colleagues. They keep you going when your confidence is low and provide a professional network, informing each other about interesting events, workshops, articles, books.'


We had to be patient. It took more than a year to achieve the group which we felt would best support our writing. But eventually we became a group of five novelists and our work is going from strength to strength.


Paolo Romeo, author of The Vespertine Hour also received an Honourable Mention in Undiscovered Voices 2009, comments;
'Since I’ve joined the critique group three years ago, my writing has improved tremendously. That’s not only thanks to the feedback that I receive from my fellow writers but also the encouragement and motivation gained by attending critique meetings regularly, giving me a belief in my own writing efforts.'


So, what makes a strong, enduring, meaningful critique group?

You probably need to decide that for yourself, but this is how I did it:

1. I took on the role of Convenor. With email this is of course much easier than it sounds. But all groups need a leader. As Convenor I set the dates and venues for meeting and send email reminders round. I channel any practical problems as they arise, such as changing dates if someone can’t make it.

2. I take the lead in our monthly critique sessions. We meet between 6.30m and 7.00pm, to chat, eat, etc. But by 7.30pm I start the critique part of the session. I take charge of timing to ensure that each person gets a similar amount of attention.

3. We have evolved a way of working which is comfortable for our group. We have agreed to bring one chapter each month. We provide copies for everyone and then we sit and read in silence. We make notes on the work. Then we give spoken feedback.

4. Meeting monthly seems to suit our group. But we often see each other in between at writer events and share information about the ‘writing industry’. We also meet in different combinations informally between our regular meetings, for further critique, or we email sections to each other.

5. Paying attention to group dynamics is essential. I know of many groups who have failed because of members who simply didn’t fit. Be clear about who you want, take time to get to know them. We met people at Conferences and retreats and so were able to observe them in both critique and social situations over several days.

6. Decide how many members you can support. Be honest. Our group now has a reputation for nurturing writers to success and people often ask to join us. But we have found that five is the maximum we can currently support and so we have to state firmly that we are full.

7. Our shared view? Serious, knowledgeable, always striving to improve, with the overall goal to be published.


Not convinced yet? Well all five of us have had success with our writing, from publishing contracts to being placed in competitions.

Candy Gourlay and I have short stories in the same anthology, Under the Weather, Francis Lincoln, 2009.

I have just signed a three book contract with Meadowside Books


Success in writing is a mixture of hard work, perseverance, surviving the rollercoaster ride of interest and rejections and also a bit of luck. Getting a publishing contract felt to me as tough as going through the eye of a needle.
But I also believe that my critique group have been the foundations, breaking the mould of the lonely writer scribbling away in an attic, veering between dreams and despair.

Don’t go it alone, join other writers, develop your critical skills and enjoy yourself. The writing world can keep you busy for the rest of your life if you take the plunge.

Happy Writing!
Miriam Halahmy

www.miriamhalahmy.com

http://miriamhalahmy.blogspot.com/

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Hello again! Thought I'd better do a catch up and tell you about some more competitions that are running and what I've been up to.
I've been out and about quite a bit, took a fantastic trip down the Manchester Ship Canal on the Mersey Ferry (although we had a bit of trouble at the Salford end with a bridge that wouldn't open for two hours!) and I've been on a small mammals workshop in Cheshire where I got to learn about trapping to find out species live in an area.
I got to see a common shrew and lots of wood mice up close and had to help weighing them and picking them up by the scruff of their tiny necks which is very tricky! It was a really interesting day - with a very early start! I'm sure it'll come in useful for my Dr Midas stories one day too, it's great to get first hand experiences like that.

Speaking of Dr Midas I've been working on the second book again in the hope of entering it for the Times/Chicken Book children's fiction competition (deadline October 30th for whole novel up to 80,000 words - http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article6733392.ece).
I entered the original competition with Dr Midas and the Pirates but didn't have any success and have wanted to try again but as you need a whole book I was a bit stuck. The only other completed children's book I have is the sequel Dr Midas and the Incas. I think it would be really hard to do well with a sequel but then I started wondering if it could be changed so that it read as a standalone which it is for the main part. The biggest hurdle is how to get round the fact that this is adventure starts with Max finding out that his sister Millie has been on a time travel adventure with Dr Midas. He is so jealous that he decides to do the same and steals the time machine.
I've actually entered the first few chapters in another competition and was happy with them but when Iooked at them again I realised the start was slow in the Max and Millie parts and definitely not strong enough for setting up a first book.
So I've re-written the first two chapters so far, now the book doesn't start at Max and Milie's home but at the museum where they are on a school trip. I'm much happier with the new start, but still have a good way to go. I also need to make sure I really keep in my characters heads all the way through. I do think that my writing has really come on since my Cornerstones critique.
Actually I got asked in a job interview last week (sady I didn't get it) how did I know if my writing was any good? It's an interesting question and my answer was that I'd had a couple of competition wins and some good feedback via my website and query letters but mainly I guess because I love reading and I know what makes me give up on a book. Of course it's much harder to judge when your so close to the work, but leaving a good length of time before revising definitely helps.
Anyway I promised aye-ayes, pirates and more comps!
Firstly aye-ayes - I hope you've been watching Last Chance to See with Stephen Fry - it's been a brilliant series so far, but the best is yet to come this Sunday (BBC 2 8pm) because he's going in search of Madagascar's aye-aye. In an interview with the Radio Times he was asked if he had a favourite animal from his trip.
He said: "We met a captive aye-aye eyeball to eyeball - and what strange amber eyes they have - and watched a wild pair from below a tree as they tapped and sucked at a coconuts. They're astonishing, but spooky too. I think the Mme Berthe's mouse lemur takes a lot of beating for sheer, unadulterated cute."
Another lemur fan! There was a great photo of him and zoologist Mark Carwardine with lemurs too.
Soon everyone will know what an aye-aye is! Hopefully they'll want to read adventure stories involving them and other lemurs too! I'm also pleased to read that the title of the next Pirates of the Carribean has been annouced. Apparantly it is going to be 'On Stranger Tides.' I'm glad pirates are still proving popular and marketable, especially as I'm still trying to find a home for Dr Midas and the Pirates! (I've sent it to another slush pile via email.)
Well there's the new Brit Writers' Awards which I saw advertised in Writing Magazine which is supporting this new competition. There are lots of categories including short story, novel and poetry and entry - which is usually £10.95 is free for WM subscribers. There are also young writers categories and schools can register so their pupils can also enter for free. There's a website www.britwriters.co.uk but information is a bit sketchy at the moment. The deadline is December 8th 2009. I'd be interested to know what other people think about this one - there's a big prize up for grabs too of £10,000.
The Sunday Times have also launched a competition for previously published writers - The Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award. There's a £25,000 prize for the winning story and entries can be up to 7,000 words long. For more details visit http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article6817172.ece
The Sefton Celebrates writing competitions are also open for entry again. Deadline is October 9th 2009 and the theme for this year is journeys. There are prizes for poetry, other writing (£2 to enter), and writing by young people (free entry) . Entry forms/details at http://www.seftonarts.co.uk/uploads/file/writing%20comp%20pdf.pdf Well good luck if you enter any of these competitions.
Susan :)

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Hello again! Thought I'd better do a catch up and tell you about some more competitions that are running and what I've been up to.
I've been out and about quite a bit, took a fantastic trip down the Manchester Ship Canal on the Mersey Ferry (although we had a bit of trouble at the Salford end with a bridge that wouldn't open for two hours!) and I've been on a small mammals workshop in Cheshire where I got to learn about trapping to find out species live in an area.
I got to see a common shrew and lots of wood mice up close and had to help weighing them and picking them up by the scruff of their tiny necks which is very tricky! It was a really interesting day - with a very early start! I'm sure it'll come in useful for my Dr Midas stories one day too, it's great to get first hand experiences like that.

Speaking of Dr Midas I've been working on the second book again in the hope of entering it for the Times/Chicken Book children's fiction competition (deadline October 30th for whole novel up to 80,000 words - http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article6733392.ece).
I entered the original competition with Dr Midas and the Pirates but didn't have any success and have wanted to try again but as you need a whole book I was a bit stuck. The only other completed children's book I have is the sequel Dr Midas and the Incas. I think it would be really hard to do well with a sequel but then I started wondering if it could be changed so that it read as a standalone which it is for the main part. The biggest hurdle is how to get round the fact that this is adventure starts with Max finding out that his sister Millie has been on a time travel adventure with Dr Midas. He is so jealous that he decides to do the same and steals the time machine.
I've actually entered the first few chapters in another competition and was happy with them but when Iooked at them again I realised the start was slow in the Max and Millie parts and definitely not strong enough for setting up a first book.
So I've re-written the first two chapters so far, now the book doesn't start at Max and Milie's home but at the museum where they are on a school trip. I'm much happier with the new start, but still have a good way to go. I also need to make sure I really keep in my characters heads all the way through. I do think that my writing has really come on since my Cornerstones critique.
Actually I got asked in a job interview last week (sady I didn't get it) how did I know if my writing was any good? It's an interesting question and my answer was that I'd had a couple of competition wins and some good feedback via my website and query letters but mainly I guess because I love reading and I know what makes me give up on a book. Of course it's much harder to judge when your so close to the work, but leaving a good length of time before revising definitely helps.
Anyway I promised aye-ayes, pirates and more comps!
Firstly aye-ayes - I hope you've been watching Last Chance to See with Stephen Fry - it's been a brilliant series so far, but the best is yet to come this Sunday (BBC 2 8pm) because he's going in search of Madagascar's aye-aye. In an interview with the Radio Times he was asked if he had a favourite animal from his trip.
He said: "We met a captive aye-aye eyeball to eyeball - and what strange amber eyes they have - and watched a wild pair from below a tree as they tapped and sucked at a coconuts. They're astonishing, but spooky too. I think the Mme Berthe's mouse lemur takes a lot of beating for sheer, unadulterated cute."
Another lemur fan! There was a great photo of him and zoologist Mark Carwardine with lemurs too.
Soon everyone will know what an aye-aye is! Hopefully they'll want to read adventure stories involving them and other lemurs too! I'm also pleased to read that the title of the next Pirates of the Carribean has been annouced. Apparantly it is going to be 'On Stranger Tides.' I'm glad pirates are still proving popular and marketable, especially as I'm still trying to find a home for Dr Midas and the Pirates! (I've sent it to another slush pile via email.)
Well there's the new Brit Writers' Awards which I saw advertised in Writing Magazine which is supporting this new competition. There are lots of categories including short story, novel and poetry and entry - which is usually £10.95 is free for WM subscribers. There are also young writers categories and schools can register so their pupils can also enter for free. There's a website www.britwriters.co.uk but information is a bit sketchy at the moment. The deadline is December 8th 2009. I'd be interested to know what other people think about this one - there's a big prize up for grabs too of £10,000.
The Sunday Times have also launched a competition for previously published writers - The Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award. There's a £25,000 prize for the winning story and entries can be up to 7,000 words long. For more details visit http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article6817172.ece
The Sefton Celebrates writing competitions are also open for entry again. Deadline is October 9th 2009 and the theme for this year is journeys. There are prizes for poetry, other writing (£2 to enter), and writing by young people (free entry) . Entry forms/details at http://www.seftonarts.co.uk/uploads/file/writing%20comp%20pdf.pdf Well good luck if you enter any of these competitions.
Susan :)

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