Manuscripts:

1. Prose (fiction & non-fiction) manuscripts should be typed and double spaced – no more than 10 pages
2. Poetry can be single spaced with no poem being longer than 2 pages
3. Bring at least 5 copies of your work
4. Prose manuscripts are limited to 1 per person per critique period, poetry 3 poems
5. The leader will decide whether works are to read out loud or silently, generally poetry will be read aloud and prose silently.
6. The leader has responsibility for limiting length of time for responses to a work.

Critiques:

1. Comments you write on another person’s work will be taken very seriously.
2. Balance your responses: be sure to write what you like as well as what bothers you!
3. Honesty and directness in your own voice are of more value than teacher talk.
4. If you have a particular skill in grammar or line editing, this is helpful.
5. Telling the writer where you are confused, when you are moved, when a particular passage causes you to stumble and read again can be of great help.
6. Remember – you are doing critique, not the author. Everyone has the option of using or discarding your suggestions.

To the Author:

1. Suggestions in a critique are simply that – SUGGESTIONS – You are the author, make the work your story.
2. Just because someone finds fault with your work, does not mean that another reader would agree. Writing is a subjective business. We’re entitled to our opinions whether or not we choose to agree.
3. While being critiqued, authors should listen quietly, then if necessary to explain a specific point, do so after all critiques have been given.

OUR AIM WITH CRITIQUES:

We need not agree on our responses. Celebrating difference of opinion allows the writer to make choices and protect his or her unique voice. Unilateral responses are limiting, so always feel free to disagree.

The purpose of these sessions is to help writers get better, not to be mean-spirited and run work down.