Guidelines

Guidelines for Manatee Writers Group

1. Sandwich Method. Try to start and end your critique with something positive about the writing. Be professional, courteous, and objective.

2. Critique the Writing, Not the Person. A critique is about improving the writing. Critiquing the person will only lead to acrimony.

3. No Arguments with Person Giving a Critique. Remember that the person giving the critique may not understand your work the way you do. You are free to implement or reject whatever comments you receive about your work after the meeting.

4. No Interruptions of Reader or Other Speakers. Unless you're lost as to what page the reader is on, try to avoid interrupting the reader. Save your critique until it's your turn.

5. Try to Avoid Bringing Back the Same Piece More than Once. Please polish your piece as much as possible on your own before bringing it to group. If you've completely overhauled your piece, such as changing the point of view, then it is acceptable to bring it back to the group.

6. Be Aware of Personal Preferences. Everyone has their own tastes in genre. Try to critique a piece as though you are a reader of that genre.

7. Avoid Unhelpful Vague Generalizations. Try to be as specific as possible with a critique. Give examples where possible.

8. Minimize Critiques of SPaG. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar do not need to be emphasized during an oral critique. There are tools to help a writer improve these mechanics. If you spot a missing comma, mark it during your reading and move on. This will help move the meeting along.

9. Be Aware of Style. Try to avoid rewriting for the writer. Examples are fine but rewriting whole paragraphs can destroy an author's voice.

10. Be Sensitive. Recognize that sometimes your writing may stray into certain avoidable stereotypes or lead to cultural appropriation, racial appropriation, etc, which may offend some readers. Be self-aware of these situations to avoid losing readers unnecessarily.

11. Be Patient. We cater to all levels of writing skill. Use whatever knowledge you haye of writing to help and encourage those who are just starting out.

12. Summarize Your Work. Remember to give a brief summary of your work before you read. Tell the group if the piece is a part of a novel. Let us know genre. Let us know what the story is about.

13. Thick Skin. Remember that you're here to improve your writing. There will be times when a critique stings your pride. Remember that the critique is YOURS. Do with it what you will. Avoid the temptation to give a "revenge" critique.

14. Be Curious. Ask questions when needed about any comments that you don't understand. This will help foster your learning and improve your writing.

15. Keep Complaints Private. If you have concerns about your fellow writers