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The Problem With Writers’ Groups

I love my (former) writers’ group. They’ve read every chapter in my book at least twice and given valuable feedback, however …

The biggest problem with my book is that it still (after several revisions) doesn’t have a cohesive story arc. I’ve paid a plot specialist, I’ve read a plot book and plotted out my chapters on butcher paper and in an Excel spreadsheet. Still, my arc is lacking. The problem is, in both writers’ groups and writing workshops, readers are critiquing 20 pages at a time. No matter how good their memories are, they’re reading at most 20 pages per month, a completed manuscript over the course of a year—not fast enough to get a good handle on the story arc or character development of a book. Consequently, my chapters are polished until they shine, but still without clear connections to one another. What to do?

One solution is to ask a couple friends you trust to read the entire manuscript, either for money, in exchange for reading their manuscripts, or out of the goodness of their hearts. Another is to hire an editor. The problem is, once your friend or editor has read it once through, who do you ask to read it a second time? It’s a lot to ask one friend to read your manuscript multiple times. It’s expensive to hire an editor to do it for you. So what is the solution?

Who reads your manuscripts? Do you find that having the same person read the same manuscript multiple times is best, or having someone different read each draft works better? What kind of barter system do you have with your readers? Ie How do you repay them? Does your writers’ group or MFA program have a system for allowing writers to get feedback on their completed manuscripts? What is that system? Do tell!

6 comments to The Problem With Writers’ Groups

  • You know, you bring up a lot of really good points. Another problem my writing group has is that we're so large (which is fun!) that it can be months before you get a chance to bring your stuff in again (which is less fun). We're working on that, but basically yes, every writing group is going to face logistical problems.

    So, as you've concluded, it sort of falls to each writer to find alternative solutions for themselves. Personally I'm extremely fortunate in that I have 2 close writer friends, and then actually 5-6 close friends/family members who WANT to read my work. Having that many means that I can sort of spread the workload around. I haven't actually taken advantage of this yet — didn't want to burden anyone, you know? — but for my new WIP I'm going to. I was originally going to use 6 as Alpha readers and 2 as Beta readers, but I'm thinking now that's a mistake. I think I'd be better off doing 2 Alpha readers, 2-3 Beta readers, and then 2 whatever-comes-after-Beta readers. (I think it's Gamma, but Gamma reader isn't really a term that's used… Anyway!)

    And how do I repay them? Well, I don't think most of them would require repayment, but since 2 of them are also writers, I repay them in kind: I read and edit/comment their work. There are a couple friends I just won't be able to repay in any real way, and then there are a couple others who write a lot for work, so I help review their papers and such too.

    If that doesn't work for you, maybe just take them out to a nice dinner, or get them a gift certificate. I think that would make me feel appreciated and "repaid"…

  • JP

    I concur. Writer's groups certainly have their disadvantages, particularly when it comes to getting feedback on longer fiction–or plays even. Getting out and finding readers of whatever flavor (beta, delta, gamma, epsilon) is about the only feasible option.

    Meghan, if you're looking for a reader, I may be able to help you out depending on the details of your project. After some news yesterday, I find myself in the rather unique situation of having time on my hands.

    Of course I'd want to hear more about your book before I commit to anything, but feel free to drop me a note if that idea appeals.

    Thanks BTW for stopping by my place and becoming a follower! I appreciate it.

  • Asking people to read a second time is tough. Most people I've asked are like "Um, I don't think I can get to it" which leads to all sorts of questions about whether or not they really liked it in the first place. This is very irritating.

    If you can find a very close writing partner, or two or three, who will read and re-read, then you are lucky. Develop those relationships if possible.

    As for yours, ask someone to read it again. Perhaps if you ask someone, particularly someone whose initials are SG, they would be happy to read it again.

  • Kristan – I think having just two or three read it first is best. Six sounds like too many – the danger being that you will get SO much feedback you may feel overwhelmed. I've found it's better to have one or two trusted readers than a bunch because you get so much conflicting feedback.

    JP – thank you so much for the offer and if I were on an earlier draft, I would take you up on it (and may still at some point), but right now I'm paying an editor to get me through this last revision (I've already paid her). I hope the news wasn't bad news, and I am enjoying your blog!

    Sierra – I'd be happy to read your book again when you're ready, and I may take you up on your offer at some point, but right now I'm hoping the editor will get me through the final draft.

  • Hi Megan, I think that swapping with other writers is about the best. I am making a coat for a writer friend who will then read my manuscript. But then, for the second time around.. and the third…. and so on, I'm not so sure. My mother has done a lot of reading for me, but she's getting older and her mind is less sharp and less critical, so I really think that maybe a branch off from the writing group might work best. Several people in my writing group are talking about breaking into smaller groups to do the critical reading for specific people. If we can figure it out, I'll follow up here with more feedback.

  • River Lin – I could use a new dress if you want me to read your ms – just kidding! It's a great idea to find a system within a writers' group for reading each other's complete manuscripts. And the barter system is great, too!