Effective Critique Judged a Solid Hit

“How to Critique Your Own Work … and the work of others.”
If asked to do so, how would you critique a lover? Shouldn’t you treat a fellow writer in the same manner? Knowing that we all write from some pure point of passion, do you pride yourself in giving brutally honest feedback or in thoughtful, but straightforward tones perhaps of “aggressive sympathy.”
When WAG met at the Tower Library on Sunday afternoon just prior to Thanksgiving, the question “How to Critique Your Own Work … and the work of others” was on the menu. An outstanding group of insightful panelists – Robin Ecker, David Maas, Kal Rosenberg and Dorothy Staley – spoke with a room of scribes.
Robin Ecker said, My experience in critique groups enriches my personal development and growth as a writer. I think any writer can benefit from participating in a writing group that fits her or his goals and attitudes. I enjoy the added benefit of forming supportive attachments with other writers which I would not have otherwise been given the opportunity.
To get the most out of a critique group or workshop, honest objectivity must be maintained by each individual during their role in the process, whether being the evaluator or the “evaluatee.”
It is important for the one who is doing the critiquing to do so within the author’s vision for her own work. It is important for the author being evaluated to listen and accept critique without becoming defensive or allowing his insecurities to nullify her objectivity. Writing for publication is not for the faint of heart.
According to Kal Rosenberg, The most important thing to keep in mind when evaluating others’ writing is to focus on the big issues and avoid giving equal weight to the small ones. The most important thing for the writer is not to confuse sound critique with a personal attack: it’s not about you but about what you write and how you wrote it.
As a writer I’ve benefited from having a fresh set of eyes see the problems in my work, says Dorothy Staley, problems I could not see from inside the process. But, for me it’s like walking a tightwire, balancing critiques against my vision for my piece. I take seriously when reviewers identify problems, but I realize it’s my job to solve them. It was great fun hearing how other writers wrestle with critiques. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.

WAG Critique Panel

Join us at 2:30 pm Sunday 11-22 at the Tower Library for a critique panel of WAG pod members demonstrating “How to Critique Your Own Work … and the work of others.” Bring your questions!

Stay tuned for some exciting WAG upcoming events:

• Do you know how to critique your own work? How about giving other writers
effective feedback? On Sunday, Nov. 22, join us at the Tower Road Library at
2:30 for a WAG Critique Panel with Moderator Kal Rosenberg; Stephanie Seguin,
nonfiction; Dorothy Staley, novel; Robin Ecker, short fiction; and David Maas,
poetry. Bring your questions and comments to contribute to what is sure to be a lively discussion.

• We have a SPECIAL OFFER for all members whose WAG membership expires December 31. You can renew your WAG membership for 2010 for only $33. This is a one-time only offer, available at the November 22 WAG meeting Note: For members unable to attend, mail your renewal check for $33 no later than November 30 to WAG, PO BOX 358396, Gainesville, FL 32635-8396.

• And for those of you who haven’t had a chance to submit to Bacopa, ourupcoming literary magazine, we have extended the Contest deadline to Nov. 31. Due to recent Web technical difficulties, some writers were unable to submit their work. We want everyone to have the opportunity, so our editors made the decision to extend this deadline. Please see the Web site at: www.bacopaonline.com

• Also at the Nov. 22 meeting, we will sell “Will Write for Food” polo shirts for $20. Profits go directly to WAG. The shirts are available in multiple sizes and colors. More details in the upcoming November WAG Digest.

The Writers Alliance of Gainesville is a Florida non-profit organization. WAG
will never give your e-mail address to any outside organization. If you’d like
to be removed from this listserv, send an e-mail to wagmail@cox.net.

Sincerely,
The WAG Board of Directors

Pen to Paper & Beyond: A Panel Discussion on Becoming an Author

On Sept. 20 at 2:00 p.m., at the downtown branch of the Alachua County Library.  This panel will include invited Florida authors answering your questions about the writing life.
 
David Maas, WAG poetry editor for Bacopa Literary Magazine, will lead the discussion on poetry.  Stephanie Seguin, WAG Vice President, will discuss memoir and non-fiction. 
This special event is free and open to the public.  The event will include guests from across the North Central Florida area.  The main branch of the library is downtown at:

401 East University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32601
352-334-3900
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009  – 2 p.m.

Bring a friend and bring your questions! 
Light refreshments will be served.

Join Us!

The September 27 monthly meeting showcases Wag members reading from their own work. At our July and August meetings we invited members to sign up to read from their published or submitted writing. About 15 speakers will read for exactly four minutes. When the bell rings, they sit down, finished or not! Don’t miss the opportunity to hear original poetry, and fiction and non-fiction excerpts at this delightful literary smorgasbord

Sunday, Sept. 27 – 2:30 p.m.
Tower Road Branch – Alachua County Library
3020 S.W. 75th Street, Gainesville, Florida

Florida author Lee Gramling will speak on “The Importance of Place in Writing.” Lee is a sixth-generation Floridian who lives in Gainesville. He is an admirer of the late Louis L’Amour and was inspired by the tales of the Florida frontier he heard from his grandparents.

Credited with creating the genre, Lee’s Cracker Westerns are rip-roarin’, action-packed, can’t-put-em-down tales set in the frontier days of Florida. They are full of adventure, real heroes, and vivid, authentic details that bring Florida’s history to life. Lee is the author of five novels. Please join us to hear how Lee draws inspiration from his environment.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of our local writers.

Sunday, August 23, 2009, 2:30 p.m.

Tower Road Branch, Alachua County Library

3020 S. W. 75th Street

Gainesville, FL 32608

352-333-2840

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BACOPA CONTEST WELL ON ITS WAY –

TO ENTER, SEE THE LINK TO YOUR RIGHT UNDER PAGES

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The monthly meetings of the Writers Alliance of Gainesville

are free and open to the public.

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Tower Road Branch – Alachua County Library

3020 S.W. 75^th Street, Gainesville, Florida

Call (352) 333-2840 for information

How to get an Agent and What Not to Do

Stephanie Seguin, Vice President, WAG and Wendy Thornton, President of WAG, will speak on How to get an Agent and What not to do.

Stephanie Seguin is a blogger and feminist activist.  In her humor blog, www.stephaniesays.net, she writes about relevant and important topics such as fake collectible primate babies, chubby girls running marathons, rubber testicles, and the preposterous number of times she drops and/or spills things.

Her online journals about thyroid cancer, “The Adventures of Follicular Cancer Lady,” continue to attract thousands of people from all over the world.  She currently has an agent who is marketing her book, If I Had to Pick a Cancer: The Story of a Good Cancer, A Bad Cat, and Other Absurdities of Illness.  In her portion of the speech, Stephanie will discuss:

1. How to get an agent
2. Why get an agent
3. How to narrow your search
4. What she did that got more than half the agents she queried asking for more

Wendy Thornton is a local writer who has published fiction, poetry and essays in journals such as The Literary Review, RiverTeeth, Confluence, Underground Voices, and others.  This year, she was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.  She is currently seeking an agent for two novels, Mirror Image Murder, and Dear Oprah.  Wendy will tell you the five things agents say are at the top of their DON’T list.

Join us on June 28^th at 2:30 p.m. at the Tower Road Branch of the Alachua County Library 3020 S.W. 75th Street, Gainesville, Florida.  For directions, see this Web site:  http://www.acld.lib.fl.us/locations/tower-road .  The WAG speaker series is free and open to the public.

Thanks Again Joe!

Thank you to Gainesville’s own Joe Haldeman for a witty and informative speech on how he writes his science fiction novels. Mr. Haldeman had the pencils flying as he addressed multiple questions from the audience. Be sure to check out his Web site, http://home.earthlink.net/~haldeman/index.html.

May 31 Speaker – Joe Haldeman

Joe Haldeman, one of Gainesville’s most distinguished authors, will speak on “One Way to Do It,” or “How I Write Books and Why Nobody in His Right Mind Should Do It That Way.”

Joe has written about thirty novels, plays, and short story collections, and he is known as one of America’s foremost science-fiction authors. He has won the Hugo Award for the best short story, the Nebula and the Ditmars awards for the best sci-fi novel, the Galaxy Award for “Science and Spirituality,” the Rhysling Award for the best science-fiction, the World Fantasy Award, and many others.

Joe divides his time between Gainesville and Cambridge, MA, where he teaches creative writing at MIT. He has also taught at University of Iowa, Michigan State, SUNY-Buffalo, Princeton, University of North Dakota, Kent State, and the University of North Florida.

To learn more about how Joe Haldeman has supported himself as a writer since the 1970’s, click here: http://home.earthlink.net/~haldeman/index.html

April 26: From Manuscript to Masterpiece!

Join us next week for the Writers Alliance of Gainesville Speaker Series.  Julie Ann Howell, founder of Peppertree Press, will speak at 2:30 p.m., April 26, at the Tower Road Branch of Alachua County Library, 3020 S.W. 75th Street (see directions below).  The WAG speaker series is free and open to the public.  Please come and bring your friends.

TITLE:  From Manuscript to Masterpiece!

Julie Ann Howell, Publisher/Founder/President of the Peppertree Press will discuss how to publish your manuscript from start to finish; so you the author can get your book into the hands of your readers.   The Peppertree Press is an Independent Book Publishing Company that offers professional publishing with a personal touch! Peppertree Press accepts all genres and provides professional editing, graphic design, illustrating, worldwide distribution and so much more. The Peppertree Press is your Best resource to Produce, Publish, Distribute and Market your book.

Please visit Julie Ann’s Web site at: www.peppertreepublishing.com

As a special treat, stay tuned for the Writers Alliance of Gainesville newsletter.  This newsletter is offered monthly as a WAG members-only benefit , but we’d like the public to see what’s available.

Directions to Tower Road Branch of library:  Go west on State Rd 26 (University Ave/Newberry Rd). Pass under I-75. Turn left at next major intersection onto 75th St. (Tower Rd). Go about 2 miles. Library is 1/4 mile beyond traffic light at SW 24 Ave, on your right. Use LEFT driveway (righthand driveway goes to church.)