Most days I begin my day with writing of some sort, either by posting my blog and Facebook entries, or working on my latest book or other project. Today was no exception. I have a monthly date with my author critique group where we each present pieces for editing. It’s scary, I suppose, since we are ruthless about commas and conventions, but we have become a close group as friends, as well.
We are a diverse bunch. Our life experiences are very different, our writing goals are too, but we respect each other and we feel free to be authentic with each other. We cheer each other on as honors and contest wins happen (not that often) and we share each other’s trials and our faith paths’ solutions to life’s difficulties.
Creativity is very personal. We tend to write about deep soul concerns. The last year, we have consoled each other’s depression, concerns, and isolation. COVID has changed all of us, and not, I contend, for the better. Sitting across the table from each other, as we used to do, allowed us to understand body language, to read each other better, and to be more free, I think. Zooming is far less personal.
Perhaps it’s because we physically see ourselves as others see us. That makes me more self-conscious than caring for the other person. It adds a dimension of formality to the conversation, and we enter each other’s spaces quite literally. I straighten my desk, although the others don’t see my desk. They see the far wall of the office, or the living room window which sheds too much light on the screen. One of our dear ones posts a screensaver behind us, whether a tree, an animals, or something else so we don’t see her bedroom. It’s novel. It’s creative. Yes, she is creative.
While we carry on other conversations, we spend the bulk of our time critiquing our pieces. It takes courage sometimes to present something we’ve written, especially when we’re not sure how we’ll use the piece. In my case, ist’s usually a chapter of a book, so some explanation is needed to understand the context. Another is a book about Navy adventures written by the group member’s husband. She then has to explain the changes to him. So we are a bit removed from the author himself. The third member of the triad writes books, stories, poems, and delights us with her humor and excellence at her craft of writing.
So, today, we gather across the miles to look at our pieces with genuine interest in improving them. We all, eventually hope, to publish them in some form or shape. That’s when critiquing becomes important. We hope our pieces entertain, inform, inspire, and add enjoyment to other readers’ lives. In Emily Dickinson’s memory, we ask, “Does it live?” In my case, I follow Flannery O’Connor’s safe advice,” I write to discover what I know.” In any case, we hope by gathering our three minds together over our pieces, we become better at our craft. The process may not bring peace and grace always, but we hope the resulting opinions will.
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