3 Ways Your Critique Group Might Be Destroying Your Writing

Anyone who has been writing for more than a few minutes has likely heard about the benefits of joining a critique group. The theory is that such groups offer helpful insights so the individual writers can hone their craft and improve their stories while also providing accountability, networking, and support. 

But not all critique groups are created equally. In fact, many groups that come together to provide feedback do so with a limited understanding of how to provide effective critiques of people's work. 

Core components of an effective critique group 

All members of a critique group should agree that the focus is on helping individuals improve. Some groups might look exclusively at story arcs; others might emphasize simply getting words on the page. Still other groups might leave it up to the individual writer to specify what kind of insights they are looking for on each piece of writing. 

Whatever the specific area of focus, all members have to agree to be on the same page. When someone strays, they should be led back to the fold. The failure to call out inappropriate comments or behaviors can snowball into a toxic group that benefits no one. 

Another critical component of any critique group is the need for all participants to feel safe in sharing their work. If there are any topics off limits, those should be clearly indicated from the get-go. Participants should understand that what is shared in the group, stays in the group, and it should be agreed that no one should take others' ideas. 

When a critique group does more harm than good

Sometimes a critique group can become toxic for a writer. If you notice any of the following issues in your critique group, you should bring them to the facilitator's (or group's) attention. If the issue cannot be resolved, walk away.  

The discussion only mentions the negatives. No writing is perfect. Even published stories have been critiqued for how they could have been improved. However, when a critique group only talks about what is wrong with a text, it is likely a toxic group. 

Effective critiques include positive insights as well. Such feedback should be specific, not simply "I liked the writing." Providing specific information on what the writer is doing well helps them maximize their strengths as a writer.

A good critique group tells a writer what parts of the text resonated with them and why as well as what parts fell flat or were confusing and why. The reasons are important. If someone says, "I didn't like the main character because he reminded me of my Uncle Charlie," they are not providing useful feedback. 

One person dominates the conversation. The idea of a critique group is for writers to have the opportunity to hear reactions from a variety of readers, not just one or two. When a single voice dominates the discussion, it makes it harder for others to contribute their insights.

Readers bring their own expectations, biases, and understanding to every piece of writing. As a writer, it is important to hear the variety of readers' interpretations and perceptions of your work. 

If all five people in a critique group agree that a certain phrase is confusing, then the writer can be fairly confident that the phrase needs to be rewritten. But what if two people say it's confusing but three people say it is the perfect phrase?

A critique group is not "majority rules." The writer should listen to the arguments of both sides and then decide on their own, after the group, how to proceed. Ultimately, the final work has the author's name attached to it, not the group's. 

Group members dictate what or how to write. Not all criticism is constructive. A critique group should never dictate to its members how to write. Members can offer suggestions, but when they start using phrases like "you need to do this" or "you should write it this way," they are not interested in helping you improve as a writer. Instead, they want you to write like they would if they were writing your story. 

There are millions of ways to write, and none of them are "more right" than another. Some of the most effective writing in history has flouted writing rules (James Joyce, anyone?). A critique group should be a safe place for a writer to experiment with new topics, styles, and voices. If your group is telling you what to write or how instead of providing feedback on your efforts, get to stepping.

When providing feedback, ask questions

One of best critique groups I have ever participated in had a single rule: All feedback had to be in the form of a question. 

Learning to provide feedback in the form of a question takes some practice, but the pay-off is worth it. First, it is much harder to be negative in a question. Second, by asking questions, you are giving all the power to the writer. Instead of saying "move this paragraph," you can ask: "What would happen if you moved this paragraph?" This approach also helps the writer understand your thought processes because they are seeing your logic for themselves. 

Questions can also be excellent ways to start discussions about the story that provide insights to the writer without telling them what to do. Instead of saying you don't like a main character, you can ask the group: "What redeeming qualities does the main character have?" As the group discusses the answers, the writer can get a better understanding of which character traits are dominating the readers' experience. 

Final word: Shop around

Not all critique groups are the same. Don't be afraid to shop around and try out a couple of groups before choosing. You might decide to belong to more than one group as each one will have a somewhat different focus, tone, and level of camaraderie. 

If you have yet to find a critique group, take a moment to think about what aspects are important for you. Do you want a smaller, more intimate group of writers working in the same area or would you prefer a more diversified network of writers? Do you do better meeting in person or "live" online or is discussing feedback in a chatroom more your style? What about the time of day: are you an early riser or a night owl? 

For many writers, sharing their work requires stepping (leaping!) outside their comfort zone. Minimizing the discomforts can facilitate the entire process of joining a critique group. If you can't find one that meets your needs, start your own at your local library or community college. 

Ultimately, critique groups are fluid. People come and go as their goals and life situations change, so the perfect feedback group today might become a nightmare next month. Negative, dictatorial feedback disguised as "constructive" criticism doesn't help anyone improve their writing. 

If a group becomes toxic, move on.