tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post6332933340411013004..comments2023-10-09T10:05:44.803-06:00Comments on Patricia Stoltey: Lord Save Me From Critique Groups by Duffy BrownPatricia Stolteyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-83679608935450785542013-05-23T14:40:35.914-06:002013-05-23T14:40:35.914-06:00Duffy, thanks so much for being my guest and talki...Duffy, thanks so much for being my guest and talking about this most interesting topic. I've toned down my own critiquing style in the last few months, and it's precisely because I don't want to mess with my critique group members' voices. Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-8842032282086620052013-05-20T09:34:25.172-06:002013-05-20T09:34:25.172-06:00I can't say I agree. I don't want my criti...I can't say I agree. I don't want my critique group to brainstorm my ideas for me. I want them to help me "pull the weeds" when my thoughts are down. If brainstorming comes in at that phase, it may be helpful, but brainstorming sounds more like book-by-committee than critiquing does.<br /><br />The best groups I've been in have been very clear that the writer owns the piece, and each of us comes to it as a reader. A reader with more writing knowledge than the average person, but still a reader. None of our comments require a rewrite, and all can be discarded. When something makes too many readers go, "Huh?" however, or if a reader says something that on 2nd look resonates with the writer as something that could be improved, then you want to look at it. We also focus strongly on what is going right in the story.<br /><br />It's the writer's responsibility to not let critiques turn into book-by-committee. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-40410441564283939592013-05-20T08:25:56.123-06:002013-05-20T08:25:56.123-06:00Brainstorming IS better than critiquing. I'm g...Brainstorming IS better than critiquing. I'm going to remember that!Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-47380833785490604152013-05-19T17:14:22.085-06:002013-05-19T17:14:22.085-06:00Hmmmm...certainly an interesting point of view. It...Hmmmm...certainly an interesting point of view. It would be fun to see one idea go through both processes and see the differences.Dean K Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01846624912452227191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-34168713227736532322013-05-19T15:43:02.866-06:002013-05-19T15:43:02.866-06:00Great advice -- going to have to bookmark this one...Great advice -- going to have to bookmark this one! Thanks, Duffy and Pat.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741349796538313075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-86633141446462098232013-05-19T14:20:30.710-06:002013-05-19T14:20:30.710-06:00Thanks for the thoughtful advice. It sseems like ...Thanks for the thoughtful advice. It sseems like an important distinction, one that allows a writer to keep their own creative voice.John Paul McKinneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12426192694972130205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-20207048929158508062013-05-19T06:42:14.960-06:002013-05-19T06:42:14.960-06:00Thanks for sharing your experience Duffy. I think ...Thanks for sharing your experience Duffy. I think this is true especially for us new writers. Once a manuscript is finished, I will find two or three people I trust to read it and consider what they say, but not until I write the words "The End". Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05728065355113617376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-82134824375330633402013-05-19T06:26:58.764-06:002013-05-19T06:26:58.764-06:00safe travels, GL on your release!
Juliesafe travels, GL on your release!<br /><br />JulieJBarr5https://www.blogger.com/profile/00481142598507328352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-86928702999626997662013-05-19T06:08:14.334-06:002013-05-19T06:08:14.334-06:00I think it's really critical who you turn your...I think it's really critical who you turn your work over to. I was at a conference this weekend with editor from Harlequin and EC and both agreed when I made this statement above about critique groups. Only the editor knows what she/he wants and a lot of your "voice" is written out of the work. Duffy Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597704627829751233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-14128396590487995442013-05-19T03:38:23.852-06:002013-05-19T03:38:23.852-06:00This was good advice. Thanks! I'm working thro...This was good advice. Thanks! I'm working through 10 critiques right now and all 10 had something different to say! Sharon Himslhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-23932600435312651732013-05-19T02:24:20.213-06:002013-05-19T02:24:20.213-06:00Thanks Duffy for a most interesting post. Really g...Thanks Duffy for a most interesting post. Really good to read.<br /><br />Yvonne,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757567191914795875.post-29643727408226314652013-05-18T06:55:36.063-06:002013-05-18T06:55:36.063-06:00Pat - Thanks for hosting Duffy.
Duffy - Thanks fo...Pat - Thanks for hosting Duffy.<br /><br />Duffy - Thanks for sharing your experience with critique groups and brainstorming. I think every author has to find her or his own way to get 'other eyes' on the work and get new, fresh eyes. Critique groups can work very well for some. But even simple brainstorming with a friend, in an informal way, can give an author great ideas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com