Beyond the Manuscript: Elevating the Critique Group Experience
Writing as Community
Writing may seem like a solitary activity, but having a supportive critique group is invaluable. Groups may function differently, but their shared purpose is providing and receiving feedback about writing. After all, we become better writers by listening to others’ stories and by hearing feedback about those stories that can be applied to our own. Moreover, critique group members can share ideas and connect in ways that extend beyond the manuscript.
Finding Critique Partners
There are many ways to find critique partners.
As a 12 x 12 member, you should have no issue finding critique partners. There’s a section of the forum called “Critique Connect” for those looking for critique partners. In addition, if you’re posting your manuscripts in the “Manuscript Makeover” section of the forum, you may find partners that way. Alternatively, you can do a shout-out on Twitter, letting PB writers know you’re looking for partners, and if you’re a member of SCBWI, you can find a critique group in your region – some groups are still meeting virtually while others have begun to meet in person. Of course, some partners and groups don’t meet at all; they swap and comment on manuscripts via Google Docs, track changes on Word, or share emails with their thoughts. Figure out what works for you. Some writers belong to several groups or participate in multiple partnerships, each one functioning differently.
Getting What You Need/Want from Your Critique Partners
You get to decide what you will share, how you will share it, and the feedback you’d like.
You may decide to share an entire manuscript, or you may just want to share the beginning of your story or even three or four options for the beginning. Perhaps you don’t even want to focus on your manuscript. You may want to share a query letter or pitches instead. Some members may want to share a piece of writing for a magazine submission or writing contest. Slides for a craft presentation or a blog post, like this one, can also be shared with critique partners for feedback.
Will you read what you want to share, or will you ask someone else to read it? Hearing your words in someone else’s mouth can provide a new perspective. You may hear how an idea doesn’t connect clearly to the next, how the rhythm or meter sounds differently when someone else reads it, or you may realize how wonderful your words really are.
Do you only want to hear what’s working well about the piece you share, or are you open to critique? What would you like your partners to hone in on – character, pacing, language, or something else? When you’re specific about the type of feedback you’d like, you take ownership of your writing and can get the personalized critique that you desire.
You may not want to share writing at all.
Sometimes critique partners come together to write in silence for a period of time. This can be helpful to those who need to set aside time for writing and who work best when they have the support and accountability of others writing alongside them. You can also have a brainstorming session where you share ideas with each other and get ideas for new stories or direction about how to proceed with a story idea. Having a session where you set goals, particularly at the beginning of the year, can also be beneficial to critique group members.
Beyond the Critique Group
There are so many ways that you and your critique partners can learn together, support each other, and have fun.
Learning opportunities
- You may choose to read books together. These books can be picture books or books about craft.
Here are some suggestion for writing-related books:
- Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
- Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses
- The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How To Decolonize the Creative Classroom by Felicia Rose Chavez
For picture book recommendations, of course, you can visit your local library or bookstore. You can also peruse and/or purchase books by 12 x12 members.
- Attend conferences together. You can take notes together on a shared Google Doc, and don’t forget to debrief the experience afterward.
- Invite an agent or editor to speak to your group.
Supporting each other outside of the group
- Share information about writing contests, mentorships, webinars, and other resources/ opportunities.
- Participate in Twitter pitches together and comment on each other’s tweets.
- Agented and published critique partners can serve as a resource for those in the group who are newly agented and/or who have recently received publishing contracts. Published members may want to submit panel proposals together for conferences and other events.
- Depending upon the size of your group and how many of you have books being published in the same year, you may want to form your own co-marketing group or join an existing one together. You may want to plan a bookstore tour together.
- You can write reviews for your published partners and request their books at your local library.
Having fun together
Why not have a social meeting, either virtually or in person, where the focus is not on your writing but on getting to know each other better? You can talk about your hopes and dreams, your hobbies, the vacations you’re planning, or places you hope to travel to in the future. You can even make a rule that talking about anything writing-related is off-limits.
If you want to splurge, you can plan a retreat together! What fun to be in the same place, writing together, sharing your work, and socializing. If you can’t afford the time or money to travel to Highlights, which I highly recommend, you can consider an Airbnb, or perhaps there’s a space in your community (in a religious building, at a library, or community center) that you can use.
Commit to Reimagining Your Critique Group
Consider different ways to move beyond simply providing feedback on manuscripts, and use your group to grow together in other ways. There are many parts of the writing process and publication journey, so – like the children for whom you write – learn and play in different ways to create an even more fulfilling writing experience. What new idea will you try first with your critique partners?
NOTE: I’d like to shout out my critique partners who are also 12 x 12 members, some of whom offered feedback on this post: Lindsey Aduskevich, Anita Crawford Clark, Pat Finnegan, Jeanette Jones, Alicia Meyers, Hollie Michaels, and Marilyn Wolpin.
Valerie Bolling is the author of LET’S DANCE!, a 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite award winner and CT Book Award finalist, and TOGETHER WE RIDE, which has received starred reviews from the Horn Book and School Library Journal. RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN!will be released in October 2022. Sequels to her 2022 books (TOGETHER WE SWIM and BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!) as well as a Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS, are slated for 2023. A graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, Teachers College, Valerie has been an educator for almost 30 years. She currently works as an Instructional Coach for Greenwich Public Schools and teaches picture book writing classes. She is also a WNDB mentor and deeply immersed in the kidlit writing community, particularly involved with SCBWI, the 12X12 Picture Book Challenge, Black Creators HeadQuarters, and Diverse Verse. Valerie and her husband live in Connecticut and enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing.
linktr.ee/ValerieBolling
Valerie Bolling is offering one lucky 12 x 12 member a choice of a copy of TOGETHER WE RIDE or a 15-minute ask-me-anything chat! Get those new drafts written and those old ones revised for your best chance to win at the September check-in!
108 Responses
This was a good post about critique groups Valerie. Some have said that groups should be focused around only the specific genre that you’re writing as in only picture books or middle grade. I’m not sure I agree especially as we often hear that agents are asking if you write in more than one. Thoughts? Beautiful day here in Vermont.
I’ve been with my critique for 9 years and couldn’t have gotten where I have in my writing journey without it. I love all my critique partners and am so fortunate to have them as critique partners, cheerleaders, supportive shoulders to cry on, and friends. The one thing we haven’t tried yet is splurge on a retreat. I’d love to do that at Highlights someday!
Great post about critique groups. I belong to a few and we help each other out in so many ways.
This information came at the perfect time for me, Valerie. I am actively searching for a PB critique group or partner or both, and appreciate the resources and insights you provided. I belonged to a critique group when I was writing adult fiction, but it disbanded, and I dove deep into PB writing. While critique partners writing in any genre can be helpful, I find feedback/critiques from PB writers to be the most helpful for this genre.
Valerie, this is fantastic! I am in one group that is a set of five and another group where members can change, but both groups have been very helpful and supportive. What I really appreciate in this post is the OTHER ways to share with critique group members. Writing together? Never thought of that, but I’d sure be willing to try. Reading books together–however that together works–great idea! Thank you so much!
Wow, great ideas for critique groups! I know I love mine! Thanks so much, Valerie!
Critique groups are invaluable! I probably wouldn’t still be writing without their advice and support. Thanks for the great info, Valerie.
Really good critique partners are hard to find. I have worked with one for several decades. She’s great. We keep urging each other on, and have even had friendly competitions when we’ve entered the same writing contests.
Thanks, Valerie, for your valuable time and information. You have really put down in print the values of partners in writing. I have had the same partners for many years and find their insights and ideas invaluable when revising. We are a team and less likely to be guarded about our writing when it is critiqued. It is also surprising when they reveal weaknesses in my stories that I just assume everyone will understand. I am glad to have more than my eyes on my work.
While attending Valerie’s session earlier in the year, I won the opportunity to ask her 3 questions. We had a nice, unhurried chat. She’s a warm, knowledgeable, and supportive person–exactly what you look for in a critique partner. Thank you, Valerie. Your session was helpful, and so was talking with you on the phone.
I love this celebration of critique groups. Yes, they are partners in both the creative process and surviving and thriving in publishing. Beautiful.
I agree with the idea that your critique group can become a community. I belong to two groups. We often share outside of our meeting time through texts and emails. I value both of these groups and thank them for getting me through the Covid lockdowns. It would have been a lonely world without them.
These are fantastic tips, Valerie! I love my critique groups and all the different ways we structure our meetings. I’m hoping one day a few of us can get together for a writing retreat. 🙂
Thank you for the great post and reminder of how important critique partners are to the writing process. We’ve gotten quite slack in ours and need to get back on track.
Thank you for such a great post, Valerie! You had so many helpful suggestions for enhancing the critique group experience. My CPs are invaluable to me!
Thanks for the ideas! I’ve been very manuscript-focused in critique groups, but there is so much more we could all be getting out of our experience.
Thank you Valerie, so much scope for making the process less solitary!
So many great ideas here! And I have met more than one critique partner through 12×12.
Hi, Thank you for your post. And for your ideas about how we might get even more benefit from our critique groups than we already do.
Thanks for all these wonderful suggestions to improve our critique partner experience, Valerie! My critique group has been invaluable.
Great post Valerie! My CPs are incredible and they elevate my writing to new levels. I am so thankful for them! It took some time to find great matches though.
Thank you, Valerie, for reminding us of the importance of CP’s and critique groups. I would not be as far along in my writing journey without them. And thank you for the tips on moving beyond the groups, supporting each other as friends as well as writers, and reimagining our groups. This was a great post and your 12×12 webinar was also very informative. I wish you the best with your continued success!
A great reminder of the many ways in which critique partners can help and support each other. Thanks, Valerie.
I love all the suggestions you give for what critique groups can do with and for each other. It’s so important to have others read your work (especially aloud) and provide feedback. I’m so grateful for my critique partners!
Thank you for your thoughtful post on critic partnerships and how to grow them. I can’t wait to try a few out!
Great ideas, Valerie! Like the children we write for, we can all use more play! Thanks for the inspiration! 😊🥰
Thanks Valerie!!!!
Appreciate your advice!
Thanks Valerie for your celebration of critique groups. They have been a great help to me over the years.
As Valerie says, writing is a solitary sport, so having the support of others is invaluable. I found that having an illustrator in the group or sharing your book as the artwork is developed adds to our understanding of the illustration process. Thanks for the post, Valerie, and the shout out to your CPs (me!).
Thank you, Valerie. Great advice.
Great post! I am currently a member of one critique group. It took a while for the group to get its footing and allow for productive comments…building trust. Since I am trying to do different types of writing, I wonder if I might seek out some additional critique partners. The sharing of varied perspectives is so helpful! Thanks for this post, Valerie!
Good luck with the launch of a new school year!
Thank you for these ideas. I am currently in a critique group with some great people, but various life events have gotten in the way for many of the members lately. I continue to write my monthly stories, so I may look into joining a second critique group at your suggestion! <3
Thanks so much for all the ideas for critique groups. It’s good to branch out from just doing critiques. It makes getting together more fun.
Valerie- I love the way you lay out your ideas in such an organized way. I have noticed that during live sessions as well. As this is the best way I learn, I gain so much from your insights. Thank you for that.
I am just starting to get involved with a second critique group. Recently, I had almost decided to give up writing for children, as I’ve had several discouraging things happen that made me feel like I’m never going to be published, no matter how hard I try.
Since joining the second crit. group, I am finding that it’s a bit intimidating, but after a session, I find myself more confident and more inspired to continue writing. So I have decided to continue because I have this great group of people encouraging me.
Thanks again, Valerie!
Thank you, Valerie! I wholeheartedly agree – critique partners are a must! And yes, so many different ways to benefit from each other. My growth and success in this industry would not be what it is without my CPs!
Thanks for this great post, Valerie! I’m so thankful to all my CPs. My writing has grown so much because of their awesome feedback!
All this, Valerie! Thank you!
This is so great! Thank you, Valerie. You always have such great things to share. So grateful for the writing community!
Technology makes critiques groups accessible to almost everyone. Even those of us who live in more remote areas can connect and offer feedback. Thanks for sharing, Valerie. I appreciate my critique groups even more after reading your thoughts.
Thank you for sharing these suggestions, Valerie. Especially like the ideas that go beyond critiques only. It’s fun to do something and anything together. And I feel giving feedback is better when you know more about the person behind the writer.
Wow, I thought I’d heard all the ways a critique group could be helpful, but you had a few more for me! What a great list and an eye-opening way to look at critique groups!
I learn a lot from my crit partners. Not just how to reshape or revise my work, but by reading and sharing feedback on their WIPs, I become more aware of my own writing strengths and pitfalls. Valerie, thanks for sharing the many, many ways we can benefit from joining a crit group.
Great suggestions for how a critique group can be for so much more than simply offering feedback on manuscripts. Thanks for these suggestions.
Thanks Valerie, for your insights into critique groups. I have been in a few since last year, and what I’ve learned is not every group is a good fit, mostly due to the time commitments. I finally found one here in my part of Ohio that doesn’t meet too often, and has both virtual and in-person meetings. This has helped me with the ‘deadline’ of having a ms to share, and also with feeling more confident about other writers hearing my work. It is never easy, but it’s always worth it at the end of a crit group session! Thanks again!
Valerie, my critique group has always met to offer feedback on our manuscripts only, so it was great reading your ideas and suggestions as to how we could enhance the experience. I was nervous at first to join the group, but it has been truly worthwhile to have done so, and my writing has improved thanks to their comments. I enjoyed your presentation at the SCBWI Summer Conference this year as well. So good I watched the replay several times!
Valerie, I love this post. I am blessed to have an awesome critique group. Your critique partners are your family. Thank you for sharing the benefits of Cps!
Thanks very much Valerie, such a thoughtful and detailed post about critique groups.
I really appreciate the time you’ve spent writing this.
Thank-you for this post, Valerie. I always learn a lot listening to your comments and advice. I don’t know where I’d be in the picture book writing world without my CPs. Sharing more than manuscripts with them is a great way to strengthen our work and belonging in our groups.
Thanks for a great post, Valerie! Your CPs are lucky to have you!
Such a great overview (with lots of great ideas!) of all the wonderful things critique groups are, and can be! (I know I love my groups!!)
I would remind people, too, that it might take you a few tries to find the right one for you! Don’t be afraid to bow out if you aren’t clicking for some reason, and try again with a new crew. It’s important that you feel “at home” in your group–or you aren’t going to be doing your best work, or being your authentic self.
Thank you Valerie! If I am never published, I will still cherish the time spent over the years with my critique group members. Being involved in a writing community is valuable on many levels.
Thank you, Valerie! Loving the reminder of all the ways we can learn from each other. I am so thankful for my CPs.
Critique groups are so beneficial! Thank you for this wonderful post!
So many great ideas that I’d never thought of!
Thanks for all of the thoughts and ideas, Valerie! I like the idea of supporting critique partners with writing related tasks other than critiques, such as marketing.
So many great tips for critique groups! Thank you!
Great post Valerie – thanks for all your suggestions! I just saw my CG in person yesterday for the first time since February 2020 – zoom has kept us going but it was so amazing to be together again.
Great advice on CP’s. One of my best CP’s is the one you reccomended 🙂
Really loved the beyond the book club suggestions. Great post!
Oops! Meant beyond the critique group suggestions. I was thinking about doing a book club with my critique group – too many thoughts at once!
Thanks Valerie- I just reconfigured my CGs (yes, plural). Taking a break for a few months to get on top of my writing schedule and to determine if my needs are being met. It’s about finding that balance between the support and the time commitment. Love your suggestions!
Critique groups are the best! We even limped through COVID on ZOOM. But I love the idea of doing something “beyond the page” together. Thanks!
So many great ideas! Thank you, Valerie! My critique group is awesome, and I don’t know what I would do without these wonderful friends. When it came time to build my website, I asked them to review some of the content that I drafted for the site. 🙂
Thank you for the book suggestions and inventive ideas for how to work within Critique Groups. My regular CPs mean the world to me. We go through all the ups and downs together. I love these suggestions also for meeting new CPs and developing those relationships.
Great post about critique groups! I’m going to consider some of these ideas for mine. Thanks so much!
Such a great post about creating and maintaining a critique group. You touched on all the important elements one could have, and how it doesn’t always have to be the same thing you do. I really love the critique partners I have and hope to include more things on this list as we move forward. Thanks for writing this!
Hi Valerie!
I’ve listened to your interviews on various podcasts and I always learn something new. So many congrats on your success! Hard work pays off!
I love your ideas and suggestions! Thank you for such a helpful post.
I have both a critique group and also a couple of individual critique partners. Critique groups and partners are so valuable and add so much to one’s writing journey. Thank you for sharing ideas to enhance the critiquing experience.
Thank you for sharing, Valerie! I loved your webinar. So much info!
I met my Critique Group in January through a virtual Highlights course. There are four of us and we have really bonded and supported each other. I feel equally invested in their stories and hopeful to see them agented and published soon!!
Great ways to think about all the things critique groups can do .
Thank you, Valerie, for suggesting so many ways we can interact with our writing besties.
Looking forward to reading your latest book!
Great information! Thank you for your post.
Thanks, Valerie. Your ideas are very helpful.
Such a helpful post – great ideas to keep critique groups lively. Thank you for ALL the generous information sharing that you do.
Thank you for sharing
Lots of great ideas here! Thank you, Valerie!
Thank you for fine-tuning additional opportunities to share and grow with our critique partners! Great post, Valerie!
Critique groups are so important. Thank you for the reminders of how we can utilize them and create a writing community.
Thanks, Valerie! I’m looking forward to the day when I find my people and can try out all your great suggestions.
Wow! First we got that wonderful webinar and now an in depth post. Cheers, Valerie! We appreciate the insight.
Great post! I love your suggestions. I love sharing feedback on manuscripts, but have also enjoyed zoom writing with others. Even if we are not physically together, it’s motivating to write with someone else.
Thanks for sharing all these great ideas, Valerie! I am trying out a lot of them!
So many great ideas to freshen up our critique group experience! Thank you!
Great Critique Group tips. I love my critique group and wouldn’t be without them.
Thank you for sharing your ideas about critique groups
Thanks for reminding us how valuable critique groups/partners are. I cherish the members of my groups and recognize the benefits they bring to each meeting/monthly check-in.
Thank you for taking the time to prepare and share this with us. (And thanks to your CPs for critiquing it for you. 🙂
Thanks for all the great info on critique groups, Valerie!
I’m always inspired by your enthusiasm and energy level :o)
Thank you for this, Valerie. You are so right about the importance of having critique partners. I am in two critique groups — one I joined through 12×12 and another I’ve belonged to for two years. Both of these groups are made up of members with diverse backgrounds and experiences who offer special insights as we discuss our work. Our time together has evolved into good friendships, and we talk about meeting one another in person for conferences or retreats, as you’ve suggested. I don’t know what I’d do without them. They really help me stay on track, and I love growing with them.
Thank you Valerie, very informative. I really have to get on my critiquing in a group game. I can see how helpful it would be.
Love this post about critique groups and how we can get the most out of them. This summer, my critique partners and I met in person for the first time since COVID for a writers’ retreat. We went over each other’s longer drafts, brainstormed together, and just caught up as friends. It was such a special day!
I like what you had to say about getting feedback in the way you want it. There are SO many options. And it’s like any relationship–sometimes you’ve got to kiss some frogs to find your perfect CG!
Congratulations on your picture books!
Valerie,
I always love to listen and read everything you have to say about writing books for children.
I like your suggestion that critique partners should try to socialize whenever possible, not just talk shop.
I have a Miami group that just recently went out to lunch together and had a fantastic time. I was unable to accompany them since I live in New England and the plane ticket and hotel stay would have been too much. (Chuckle). But I got to see all their pics. What a fabulous way to get closer as a group and to get to know each other better. Critiques later will be so much better and beneficial.
This was a great testament to critique groups. They are such an important part of the writing process and I appreciated all the suggestions of how to make the experience even better.
Thanks for all those great tips!
Thank you Valerie for such great tips. Critique groups are amazing and finding the right group is so important. It’s so wonderful that you take the time out to give us such great pointers!
Thank you for sharing awesome critique group tips and advice, Valerie!
Thank you, Valerie. I think it’s most valuable for me to hear someone else read my words. I’m in two groups: one old timers, most of whom are published; and another made up of newbies. They look at writing from different viewpoints and that’s always helpful.
Thank you so much, Valerie! Lots of great ideas for our critique groups! Love you! Maureen Murphy Houser
Great tips here! I have been in several critique groups over the years. But my favorite and strongest is one that I started with a partner a little over a year ago now, I think! It has now grown to three. But we have friendly chats, critique our work and talk about writing! So it is great!
Loved reading this blog post, Valerie!! Critique groups are so important and make a huge difference in the journey as well as improving our writing craft!!
Great post, Valerie! Thanks for the critique group suggestions!
Thank you, Valerie, for the amazing post! So many awesome ideas on everything how to critique group. I definitely will be doing all of them I hope! 🙂
I agree about the importance of critique groups. Love mine!
Thank you for this.
New ways of thinking about critique groups – thank you!