Tag Archives: critique groups

Virgin Birth

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Laura Orsini

Virgin Birth by Rita Goldner The English translation for the word parthenogenesis is virgin birth. Usually the subject of mythology or religious beliefs, it’s also a well-documented scientific feat for some animals. The most imposing expert in this practice was … Continue reading →

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Why I Love My Critique Group

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Laura Orsini

Why I Love My Critique Group by Katrina Shawver I know without a doubt that my debut book, Henry: A Polish Swimmer’s True Story of Friendship from Auschwitz to America, would not exist in its present form without my writing … Continue reading →

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On Writers’ Critique Groups

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Laura Orsini

On Writers’ Critique Groups by Vaughn Treude When novice writers ask their brethren for advice, we frequently recommend joining a writer’s group. Believe me, it can be very helpful. There are two kinds of fiction writers who resist this advice, … Continue reading →

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Input from Others Can Improve Your Output as an Author

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Laura Orsini

Input from Others Can Improve Your Output as an Author by Barbara Renner I wrote my first two picture books while living in a small town in northwest Minnesota for the summer. Enthralled with the state bird, the Common Loon, … Continue reading →

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Why Workshop? The Benefits of a Fresh Perspective

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Laura Orsini

Why Workshop? The Benefits of a Fresh Perspective by Matthew Howard “Workshop” often means a paid seminar or a creative writing session, but today we look at a different kind of workshop: local groups of writers meeting to read each … Continue reading →

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Contemporary, Literary, or Commercial: What Type of Writer Am I?

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Laura Orsini

Contemporary, Literary, or Commercial: What Type of Writer Am I? by Mary Ellen Stepanich, Ph.D. At a recent meeting of one of my writers critique groups, a short story I had submitted for review and feedback was gently criticized for … Continue reading →

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How do you know when you’re done?

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Laura Orsini

How do you know when you’re done? by Patrick Hodges I can’t put enough quotation marks around the word “done” in the title to emphasize my point, so I won’t even try. If you’re like me, you’re your own worst … Continue reading →

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What to Look for in a Beta Reader

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Laura Orsini

What to Look for in a Beta Reader by T.M. Williams In many ways, finding the right beta reader1 is almost as challenging as finding the right publisher. But are beta readers even necessary? No. There are plenty of best-selling … Continue reading →

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Now that NaNoWriMo is over, what’s next?

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Laura Orsini

Now that NaNoWriMo is over, what’s next? by Lori Beasley Bradley   For those of you who got a full first draft on paper, Huzzah! For those of you who gave it your all but didn’t quite get there: Good … Continue reading →

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