The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide: How to Make Revisions, Self-Edit, and Give and Receive Feedback

by Becky Levine

Trying to Finish Your Book? There's Strength in Numbers Whether you're trying to revise your novel or polish up an article to pitch to magazines, it pays to have a few sets of eyes look over your work. But, how can you be sure you're getting an unbiased and objective opinion? A writing critique group may be the answer you're looking for, and this book arms you with everything you need to find a group that suits your specific writing needs. Whether you're looking to join an existing group or start one of your own, you'll learn how Complete with worksheets, sample critiques and examples, The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide gives you tools to hone your editing skills and deepen your understanding of how to revise your own work as well as someone else's. With the help of this guide your writing critique group can be a helpful resource for you and your writing partners for years to come.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

297 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Becky Levine is the author of The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide, a book to help you get started with a critique group, learn to revise from a critique, and strengthen your own critiquing powers. Becky lives in California's Santa Cruz mountains, where she spends a lot of time reading (and re-reading) feedback from her own critique group and using their comments to strengthen her skills as a picture book writer. She does her best thinking away from the computer, with her knitting needles in hand and a notebook nearby.

Reviews

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to help a couple of Indie Authors who are thinking of starting a Critique Group. It was a great step by step on how to do this. It also has what to do are the group evolves or changes. Pretty inclusive.

[B. Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival Guide Seeks Writers

Has your critique group hit an impasse? Are you afraid your comments are too harsh or too hollow? Are you ready to start your own critique group? Whatever your situation, Becky Levine’s The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide: How To Give and Receive Feedback, Self-Edit, and Make Revisions offers sound advice to take a group to the next level.

How do you tell a writer that you zoned out on page 3? Look for the specific causes, whether it’s a lack of tension, a hero without a goal, lack of action, non-useful description, or shifting points of view. Levine cites common problems and suggested comments, which she offers in three different critiquer’s voices.

In addition to defining and illustrating the nitty gritty of critiquing both fiction and non-fiction, she addresses choosing and running a group. She also offers suggestions for making the best use of your comments once you return to your computer.

Levine’s instructive book is a valuable resource for deepening and strengthening the writing group experience. Check your own work against her worksheets to see how you can improve it before taking it to a group. Once you get there, let critiquers know what you are looking for. The give and take of the right critique group can move your story, article, or book proposal to the next level. It can open your eyes. Even if you’re working without a group, Levine’s suggestions can help.

Though you may not want to read every chapter immediately, The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide: How To Give and Receive Feedback, Self-Edit, and Make Revisions should be on every writer’s book shelf. You’ll return to it again and again.

This review originally appeared in Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com.

[Becky Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly helpful! It taught me the best approach for workshops and how to critique people, because I always try to be the in-betweener or Literary Switzerland and just tell all of them their story is great, when really I couldn't get past the first three pages. It tells you what to focus on and what to look for, and no it's not just 'is the story good or bad'. It makes you focus on character development and plot structure etc. Very good! Highly recommend!

[Akoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no way I will ever be done with this book. It's a gem for me as a writer and I keep going back to it for all the tips and amazing worksheets in there.
In my opinion this is a must have tool. I got this at the library now I'm getting my own copy.

[Yvensong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful resource for anyone looking at editing their own work or considering joining or starting a critique group.

[Pat Hauldren]

I think I can use this info big time because I am a member of so many writers' groups and helped start several. We seem to work well, but I also want to keep them fresh.

[Jean Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete reference tool for writers of all genres. Writing may be a solitary endeavor but most of us find it beneficial to share our work with other writers; writers who know how to provide helpful feedback. I bought my own copy after a few days with a library copy. The subtitle is important. The book is not aimed solely at writing groups and critiques. You will get ideas on how to self-edit and make revisions of your own work. It took me a while but I read it cover to cover, underlining, reading and studying examples, doing some of the provided worksheets on each section. (I skipped over the chapter on critiquing a non-fiction book proposal but it's there if I ever need it.)
Even though I currently focus on short story fiction in my own work, reading the other sections inspired me to broaden my scope...to try my hand at memoir, a magazine article or a children's book.

[Quantum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Own a copy and applying it to my current critiques. Covers the important and common pitfalls with a plethora of examples. Also covers nonfiction with specific recommendations on memoirs, travel, self-help/how-to--and even picture books, beginning-reader, and chapter books. Recommended by my local chapter of the California Writers Club (est. 1909).

[Lauren Beltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I'd read this book about three years ago. I have made so many blunders that I now recognize thanks to this book. I've already seen a growth in my critiquing ability in the month and a half since I started reading it. I recommend to any writer who is just starting out in the revisions and critiquing path.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for writers who are part of critique groups. Plenty of worksheets to help you create notes for your writing partners and advice on what to do with feedback. I highly recommend picking up a copy!

[T D Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helped with giving and receiving critiques. Bought some for others in our group too. Very helpful.

[Andy]

DNF.

[PageTurnerswithKatja · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I bought TW&CGSG I certainly needed a Survival Guide! It can be tricky
providing feedback that's both constructive and not too blunt - goodness knows the first time I read feedback on my own work I was stunned! Most of the feedback was helpful, some less so, but the important thing about the process is we not only learn how to improve on our writing, but to accept that we cannot please all readers.

I'm about to read this book for the third time, as it's been a while since I provided an in depth critique - and maybe it will help with my book reviews too. After I first read this book I noticed a marked improvement in the quality of the written critique I provided within my writing groups. Among the chapters you'll find tips on how to find a writing group - which isn't relevant to me, as I co-founded Fount of Ink nearly three years ago- with I. Verse and Julia Kavan. Just to say, if you're looking to interact with other writers and can't get out locally, do check out the online forums out there. I belong to both Litopia and YALitChat forum.

The book's straightforward, and helped me focus on what I say to others about their work - rather than interspersing random notes throughout their work - not that I've stopped doing that too! In particular, Becky Levine, provided written excerpts for consideration, and then picked parts of an excerpt to comment on plot holes, character issues (underdevelopment or inconsistencies), and provided reminders to critique on descriptions; dialogue, scene structure, POV (point of view) and voice.

My reasons for buying the book were to get my points across consistently well and diplomatically, and I think it helped! - well, while I was using it. I've gotten rusty so it's round three for me and the Survival Guide; a bonus for me would be the section on how to self-edit once you've received a critique. Really helpful.

If you're looking for tips on critiquing a specific genre you'll find information that moves beyond just fiction for adults, young adults and middle grade readers, as the author also has separate sections for critiquing non-fiction and children's books.

Usually self-help books on writing take me away from writing, or sit on my bookshelf unopened. This book is next to my PC, so I can refer to it each time I open a new attachment to critique. I'm hoping that over time I'll pick up on more of the issues she reminds a writer to look out for, in their own and the work of others.

Highly recommended.

[L.M. Elm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Review of How to Critique

I've been a writing group for nearly a decade. Levine covers many of the scenerios I've encountered, but also touches on many I have not. Great book for a refresher on the critique process, or a good start for a beginner to the revision process.

[Justyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide is a useful resource for those looking to learn and improve critiquing skills as well as for writers interested in joining or starting writing groups. The book covers seven sections: the basics of how to join or run a group, how to critique fiction, how to critique nonfiction, how to critique children's books, how to revise and self-edit from a critique, and how to maintain a group. As a fiction writer with an interest in getting involved in a group and learning how to critique this is a valuable read. Some sections include worksheets which summarize main points. I skipped the parts not relevant for my purposes, but it's good to see nonfiction and children's books get some attention for those interested. Writing doesn't have to be a lonely and solitary activity, and through support and networking, groups can be valuable to improving oneself as a writer.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covered a lot more ground than the title implied. The first section described how to find a group or create your own. But the meat of the book was how to read and comment on a manuscript -- basically, what problems to look for in terms of plot, characterization, dialogue, and other fundamentals. So, it's not only useful in commenting on other people's work... this book is also useful in editing and improving your own.

[Susana Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't tell you how much this book helped me as a first-time serious writer. Not just the part about organizing a critique group—which is WONDERFUL—but in helping me revise my own writing and understanding how to help others with theirs.

Learning to accept criticism was one of the hardest things for me to learn, and this book was a tremendous help.

This should be a must-read for any serious beginning writer!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

My main complaint is that every writing critique group is different, and some of the suggestions in this book are too specific. However, there is a lot of good information, and the book has a browsing quality to it.

[Brandy Ackerley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good. It really helps you figure out the ins and outs of running a critique group and hows to start up your own. I found it less useful for learning how to do actual critiques but if you don't know how to do one, it will really help you figure out how to get started.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing groups exist as a way for beginners to show off their work and to get feedback with the intent to improve their work. This book presents ideas how to participate in such groups both to get and give constructive critiques. There are some interesting ideas presented here.

[Wendi · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Far this book is too simplistic for the writer's group I'm envolved in. There have been few new things that we've learned as a group.

[Sarah E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some useful information in here, but half of this book didn't apply to me (since I only write fiction). There were some good pointers on critiquing that I will definitely use.

[Robin Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great book for writers and editors, not just those who will be in a critique group, but those who want to self-edit. I highly recommend it.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas.

[Bruce Gaughran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good guide for helping set up and run a critique group. There are plenty of examples to use and good information - food for thought.