Thursday, September 12, 2013

On Conference Critiques










As I say to the people getting these crits:





  1. LOVE this post! I work with quite a few critique groups and am constantly reminding writers that writing is a process,one they're already succeeding at by seeking feedback on their work. It means so much more for them to hear it from an agent.

    you rock <3

  2. Thanks! Gearing up for a SCBWI-INW Conference and would love to pass this along to all our writers who'll be getting critiques.

    1. GO FOR IT, and have fun! I love SCBWI conferences - I'm going to my region's one next week! :-)

  3. This is an excellent reminder. I know I've been through exactly what you're talking about: thinking a critique would be life changing (it wasn't) and hoping an agent would love it so much they'd offer rep (they didn't). I wish someone had said this to me earlier in my writing career--okay, almost certainly someone probably did, but I wasn't ready to hear it yet.

    Which brings me to some advice I think should go along with critiques: Hang on to them. Sometimes, writers are still too close to even hear the advice that's been given, but if they wait and reread the critiques after a month or two, sometimes the comments will make more sense and can help writer's grow.

  4. This Neil Gaiman quote made accepting critiques a lot easier:


    1. (Unless it's me in which case DO IT)


  5. Your critique (a previous webinar, happily behind you) was gracious, helpful, and thorough. My query has benefitted.

    No complaint. I just wanted to express the awe I feel having learned it took only twenty minutes. You are sharp.

    1. practice, practice, practice. (and thanks!) ;-)

  6. Thank you for this post, and for the inspiring affirmation at the end!

  7. Jennifer - This is such a great post. I have to give a couple of critiques at the upcoming RMC-SCBWI conference. May I share your wise words? I'll make sure to attribute them to you.

  8. I really appreciated your thoughtful, generous critique. Thank you so much Jennifer! Wow, you had an incredible turnout for your webinar.

  9. I was one of the ones anxiously awaiting your critique. Thank you for taking the time to give a well thought out critique. Your feedback was greatly appreciated. I received your critique at a time when I was doubting this particular story and my ability to tell it. You provided a little kick in the pants and motivation to head back to the computer. I am very grateful! Thank you!


