New Critique Group

A couple of years ago, I met a woman in one of the toddler classes I teach. We got to talking and the subject of writing came up. She had written some plays and other things, but was currently working on a Young Adult novel. I shared with her that I had begun to write picture book manuscripts and was going off and on to the Houston SCBWI meetings downtown to learn all I could about the industry. We decided that we would go to the next meeting together. She has been a big motivator and encouragement to my writing ever since. Her name is Susie Basso McCauley, remember it, you are going to read her books also. You can visit her facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/SBMcCauley

Between kids' schedules, husbands' schedules and life in general, it has been pretty hard for us to make it to the meetings on a regular basis. But we have decided to make it a priority, and we have been to quite a few in a row! Yay! Another piece of the writing puzzle is being a part of a critique group, a group of writers who share their writing, give feedback and keep each other accountable. Susie and I have been doing this for each other, but we needed a GROUP. Unfortunately, there weren't any open groups in our area (there are a few closed groups who are already established, but aren't taking any more members). So, we decided to start one up on our own. Susie posted about it on the listserve at the Houston SCBWI website that we were starting a new critique group in the Humble/Kingwood area. Our first meeting was last night and we had five women there.

It was a great meeting. I loved meeting the new women and hearing their stories about why they are writing, or why they want to start writing. I loved the camaraderie. I even felt slightly knowledgeable about the industry and figured that I had indeed been learning things as I stumble along the way to getting my book published. I enjoyed being able to pass along information to others and to give feedback on writing that they had done. I enjoyed getting feedback as well. I do think we have to work on giving better feedback, we were maybe a little too polite to each other. After all, this is a critique group. :) It doesn't surprise me though, who wants to be terribly negative on the first encounter? I think next meeting I will ask for five things I should change or that don't work in my next manuscript. Again, it was really nice to meet these women and find out where they all are in their writing and what their goals are. I am super excited to see where we all go from here. We are going to be meeting the third Wednesday night of the month if anyone wishes to join us.