What we’re about
HOW IT WORKS
- A person will volunteer their piece of approximately 5000 words or less to be critiqued for a specific meeting date.
- I post a .doc and .pdf version of the piece in our Files section (see top nav bar) with the date clearly labeled.
- All members print out the piece and write all over it - with grammar, spelling, thematic, plot, character, narration, voice, etc comments. Both positive and negative.
- Everyone will bring their marked-up copy to the meeting. Verbal critiques take place at the meeting and focus on craft rather than grammar. All critiques should be constructive and specific. No "I don't like it" or "you suck" allowed. Something more along the lines of "I really like your fresh voice, especially in this paragraph" or "Mary Jane's character could use a little more developing, I feel like I don't know her."
4a) We go around the table in a round robin circle giving feedback to the author. The author makes notes about the comments and then is free to reply at the end after all the critiques have been given. This allows the work to speak for itself and comments are made only about the work itself and not the author's defense of the work.
- At the end of that critique (and not before), everyone gives their marked up copy to the author. This will help the person remember your thoughts, provides an opportunity for you to voice an opinion you might not make with 10 people listening, and is especially helpful for grammar issues.
- In a given night, we might give 4-5 critiques on average.
