Writers need to work with other writers.
I found out early in my short writing career that I can’t fly solo. Now, don’t get me wrong. I can write. In fact, I can write an awful lot. But if I didn’t reach out to share my work with other writers, I would never improve.
When I decided to go from simply writing as a hobby to trying to publish, I realized very quickly that I had so very, very much to learn. Joining Romance Writers of American and then Indiana’s chapter of RWA, I began to network. This was great for me because I no longer felt alone. But the best thing I got from these memberships was my critique group.
The best thing a writer can have is another opinion. We all tend to fall in love with our own work. I knew I had a good story in Murphy’s Law, but I also knew the writing was missing… something. When Judie and Judith and I first formed our critique group, I had no idea what to expect. We met at Judie’s place, and the first thing they did was tell me to read to them from my story. At the time I started reading, I was so nervous I could have burst into tears at any moment. This was my “baby.” What if they didn’t like it?
Two paragraphs in, Judith stopped me. Then she and Judie began to offer suggestion after suggestion after suggestion. I don’t think I read them another word. I didn’t have to. They’d already spotted the rookie mistakes. We spent the next hour just pitching ideas, talking about my story, and planning what I should do. After our first Saturday session, I went home and wrote until 2 AM. Then I got up Sunday at 7 AM and started writing again. (Mind you, I’m NOT a morning person. Picture a middle-aged woman looking quite a bit like Frankenstein as she rolls out of bed. Doubt I’m that bad? Just ask any student in my first period class.) That’s how much they inspired and helped me. Once Nancy and Ann joined our little circle, we really clicked. I’ve yet to come away from one of our meetings without throwing myself into my work feeling energized and motivated.
What’s great about my critique group — we call ourselves the “Critters” — is that we are totally honest. I have to believe that many people in these types of groups try to spare a friend’s feelings by glossing over things that really should be pointed out. We don’t hold back, coming at each other with guns blazing. But because we’re such good friends, no one is ever offended. We all share a common goal — becoming better writers.
Unfortunately, our mix is changing. Ann is moving to Florida. While I’m happy for her and wish her all the best, I’m more than a little sad that our group is losing her insight and skill. The Critters will soldier on. But we will always miss our Ann.