Never write alone – there’s a critique group for that!

Has anybody else ever been in this situation? I found an adorable premise for a story – actually, stole it, but that’s a tale for later – only to have critique partners shoot it down. 

It seemed so lovely. My fingers flew over the keyboard until the workshop members at the Writers Guild of Texas said, in the politest possible way, really? Would anybody in the character’s situation think like that? Part of the problem, I realized, was that the style wasn’t a good fit for me. The rest of the problem was that my eyes willingly overlooked whatever I didn’t want to see. Hello, rewrite. And a much happier me with the resulting version.

But what would have happened without those other sets of eyes on my story? And how can a writer find those other eyes and voices in a time when writing workshops probably aren’t included in our states’ list of “essential” activities?

Image: truthseekers08 from Pixabay

If there’s a bright side to a global pandemic, it’s the plethora of online activities it’s given rise to.  Once, writers in places without in-person workshops were isolated from their peers. Now those peers are little more than a click away.

I live in North Texas, home to WORD (Writing Organizations ’Round Dallas) whose site includes a map of member groups, including those with critique and discussion groups. You’ll need to contact groups that catch your attention, because not all websites have been updated to show which offer online activities. But for those that do, distance is no problem.

Or check out resources at The Write Life for finding critique partners. I’ll also put in a promo for WRiTE CLUB, run by one of my critique partners. Pitch in to critique writing samples for the contest currently underway, then peruse the other readers offering critiques for potentially congenial souls to work with.

Or, maybe you’ve decided your writing skills could use a brush up during this time of sheltering at home, but cost, distance, or safety prohibit in-person classes. Hello, internet again. Besides WORD’s interactive map, check out the likes of Writing Workshops Dallas, from multi-published short story author Blake Kimzey, for its online offerings.

And don’t overlook the Writers’ League of Texas for even more online classes. (The Writers’ League still lists its annual Agents and Editors Conference in Austin, Texas, as ongoing, but I keep checking the site for updates.)

Yes, I am partial to Texas events, but again, with the internet, residence is not an issue. Writer’s Digest, for instance, offers its own school of online courses. There are also many other online courses listings that I haven’t had an opportunity to vet but would welcome reader feedback on.

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And after writing, polishing skills, and getting feedback, how about adding contests to those to-do lists? A friend reminded me of a venue that doesn’t usually come to mind when I think of contests – the Dallas Museum of Art’s Arts & Letters Live program. It’s currently requesting submissions for its 2021 Texas Bound series of short fiction to be read aloud. Entries must either be from authors who have lived in Texas or have a Texas character, setting, subject, or theme. See the site for details. DMA encourages entries by June 15 but will accept them throughout the summer. Authors whose pieces are chosen will receive $150 plus two complimentary tickets to the reading. No entry fee.

The indefatigable Arthur Klepchukov also offers his seasonal contest list – Fiction Writing Contests Worth Your Time in Summer 2020.

Blogger Erica Verillo’s Publishing . . . and Other Forms of Insanity posts about 48 absolutely free writing contests for June. And as always, check Ralan.com and Reedsy for more, more more contests!

Have a great, productive, and safe summer, writers!