Wow, the response for The Great Critique 2010 was phenomenal! Because it is part of our SCBWI Western Washington regional programming, we launched it first to those who have already paid for the 2009-2010 season. Even with the additional Great Critique spots we added this year, the event was sold out within 36 hours. You... Continue Reading →
Is your writing group…dysfunctional?
A blog called Writer's Relief offers advice and insight into writer's groups--and how to tell if you're in one that works for you:A writer's group is an informal gathering of writers who meet once a month or more to share their work, offer advice and criticism, and generally support each other. These groups are also... Continue Reading →
Critiques: how to read them
I adore Jennifer Cruisie...she's funny, incredibly intelligent, and always has good advice for writers on her blog. She has a great piece up now on how to process a critique. Here's the top: The first thing to remember about reading critiques is don’t argue. For the first twenty-four hours, assume everybody’s point is valid. This... Continue Reading →
How to get the most out of a critique session
Anita Nolan has a three-part blog post on how to make the most when critiquing the work of others:Read all manuscripts before you arrive at a meeting.Mark up the manuscript, commenting on what you see that you like as well as the things that didn’t work for you.If you find your mind wandering as you... Continue Reading →
Get started with a critique group
Fall is a great time to join a critique group. If you are looking for a critique group please email Lois Brandt, your critique group coordinator. Tell her your location (in Seattle specify neighborhood) and genre. Lois@LoisBrandt.com.From Lois:Why join a critique group? I am so glad you asked. Here's the quote I read at Tuesday... Continue Reading →
Richard Jesse Watson presenting in Spokane this weekend
Here's a great reason for a road trip.Local author/illustrator Richard Jesse Watson presents this Saturday, September 12, at the Washington and Idaho SCBWI Regional Conference.You can learn more about him at his blog, his website, and through the books he's created.Other presenters include Lisa Yoskowitz, Editor at Dutton Children's Books; Terry Trueman, young adult novelist;... Continue Reading →
Shannon Hale on evaluating books
From her blog: Years ago, when I started subscribing to the New Yorker, I was disappointed in the movie review section. The reviewer didn't rate the movies! He just talked about them for a page or two, discussing the choices the director, actors, and screenwriters made, analyzing the pieces, opining on what worked and what... Continue Reading →
Want a Query Critique?
Follow the instructions on the Public Query Slushpile. Blog visitors will tell you what they think. (You might want to put on your extra-thick dragon skin for protection.)
Committing Crimes in the Name of Rhymes?
How do you tell if you've written bad verse?When you read it aloud are you tempted to curse?Actually, forget that.Just read Cynthea Liu's blog. She's posted an article from Kelly Fineman on the topic of critiquing your rhyming children's books. In a nutshell: read it to yourself, read it aloud, and count the feet accurately.
Bad Advice from a Bestselling Author
The Seattle Times ran a profile of James Rollins that had some well-intended but terrible advice:Rollins advises writers to ignore directions to send a one-page query to agents summarizing their work (though that's exactly what many agents say to do, for fear of their mailboxes overflowing). Submit 50 pages of your book and a synopsis... Continue Reading →