The Lasting Power of Critique Groups

Newsletter #33

One of the Best Benefits of Being a Writer

My writerly life would be no where without the people I have met in all my critique groups over the years. When I began writing in 2008 I sought out a critique group, fellow writers who could read and respond to my work. After joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI— which by the way is the worst acronym ever, ironically made by the most creative people I know), I used their services to find a critique group.

Over the years I have belonged to three different critique groups, two that I still meet with each month.

NO NAMERS or MONDAY NIGHT CRITTERS

Every Monday night we gathered in a meeting room on the Stanford University campus. We were a group of picture book writers, middle grade writers, and young adult novelists with varying goals from becoming published to writing as a creative outlet and different amounts of writing experiences (conferences, internships, awards). I certainly was the newbie with a full dose of imposter syndrome. I admired the writing talent, the analytic ways they crafted stories, and how each person approached the craft with seriousness and determination. From that group, a few have published books including Marjorie Sayer who won the Scholastic Asian Book Award, the very prolific Megan Wagner Lloyd, and the dynamic duo of Ariane and Todd Erickson.

Not everyone's pictured here, but here are a couple of older and most recent book celebrations with the No Namers / Monday Night Critters at Hicklebee's and Linden Tree Books.

CAFE INVADERS

After attending an event in Oakland with Deborah Underwood, who highly recommended having a picture book only critique group to focus on this very special genre, someone passed around a sign-up sheet for the South Bay. We set up a meeting and started a monthly in-person group that gathered at a cafe at Barnes & Noble. Members have included illustrators, creators working on book apps, and many picture book writers through the years. Some moved away or focused on longer works and new members joined. Here’s a list of current and previous Cafe Invaders who have published essays, middle grade novels, non-fiction, and picture books: Margaret Chiu Greanias, Darshana Khiani, Cheryl Kim, Anne-Marie Strohman, Kristi Wright, Becky Levine (who I first ‘met’ via her book The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide that was gifted to all of the No Namers years before Becky joined Cafe Invaders), and Kerry Aradhya.

Over a decade of various celebrations--getting an agent, selling a book, and launching books.

CTC CRITIQUE GROUP (not an official name)

This online critique group originally came about from a few writers who belonged to the Writing Barn’s Courage to Create. We meet monthly and all comment on a single shared Google doc, plus have discussions on Zoom to help brainstorm ideas, give support through the ups and downs of the business, and celebrate wins. A couple members have come and gone, and here are the ones with published books: Judith E. Torres, S.K. Wenger, Kelly Rice Schmitt, and Kari Ann Gonzalez. I appreciate that we live across different states and time zones because it gives me perspectives from regions other than my own.

I love to surround myself with people who understand the hopes, struggles, and triumphs of the writing process; the seemingly impossible numbers game and subjectivity that the writing industry is; and the craft and structure of picture books to give constructive, thoughtful feedback that elevates my work. THANK YOU for all the ways you have contributed to my growth, perseverance, and progress through the years. Little did I know when I started writing what a joy and treasure working with fellow writers can bring to my life.

2021 Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Book Report: THE BEST DIWALI EVER

Written by Sonali Shah

Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

From start to finish the exuberance and personality of Ariana shines in this story. Her enthusiasm and love for celebrating Diwali with her family jumps off the page in this book. Coupled with the bright, detailed art work, we become immersed in the many traditions of this holiday. Early in the text, the author Sonali lists Diwali traditions like lighting divas, watching fireworks, and creating rangoli to give readers context for the holiday. Then we’re introduced to her three-year-old brother Rafi, who acts very much his age and annoys Ariana as little brothers tend to do. Their realistic sibling interactions and reactions ring true to life, and I love the endearing way Ariana learns to appreciate Rafi. The illustrator Chaaya brings light and life to every page with colorful and energetic art that reflect Ariana’s personality. What a wonderful way to introduce several ways a family celebrates Diwali together.

Themes: family, celebration, cultural pride, love and acceptance

Discussion Ideas:

1. Why do you think Ariana doesn’t believe that she was ever as annoying as Rafi seems to her?

2. What lessons did Ariana learn at the end of the story?

Mentor Text For:

• voice in writing

• conveying mood through word choice

• use of ellipses, dashes, and exclamation points

Buy the book!

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Weekly Progress Report

This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.

• attended Educator's Night Out at Linden Tree Books—see photos on my Instagram post

• critiqued 3 stories

• met with online critique group

• completed interview #7 for my picture book biography project

• met with an editor about a manuscript critique

• thought of a way to incorporate my agent’s suggestions into my story

• met with the writing conference committee

• created a pitch schedule for the conference

• designed name badges for the conference

Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,

Susan