by Emma D Dryden,
drydenbks LLC
Note:
This post originally appeared in 2013 on “our
stories, ourselves,” Emma D Dryden’s blog that explores the stories we tell and
the stories we live. Emma D Dryden, founder of the children’s editorial and
publishing consultancy firm, drydenbks LLC, is a highly regarded children’s book editor and publisher. She
spent a weekend with the Route 19 Writers Group looking over our manuscripts,
critiquing our work, answering questions, and inspiring us to think about our
work in new ways. This is what she posted on her blog after that weekend and
we’re honored she’s allowed us to re-post it here today.
Ingredients:
- 2-12 dedicated authors (can
be of different genres & formats; can be of same genre & format)
- heaping doses of imagination
- heaping doses of respect
- heaping doses of sensitivity
- liberal doses of gentle honesty (if
you opt for brutal, critique group will become too tough and hard to swallow)
- open-mindedness and creative
flexibility
- willingness to ask questions and
listen to answers
- generous sprinkles of laughter (can
use hysteria and guffaws if desired)
- timer (enables fair
attention paid to each author)
- cough drops & water (enables
requisite read-alouds)
- bathroom & stretch breaks
- delicious food
- comfortable setting (a
cozy setting is even better, if you can find it)
- wine or spirits (for after
critiques are completed! Some may find wine or spirits appropriate during, but
proceed with caution)
- optional: friendly dog and/or cat;
fireplace; views (ocean, woodland, mountains, etc.); anything else
to enhance experience
Directions:
Gather ingredients
together on a regular basis. Stir with professionalism, exuberance,
imagination, and inspiration. Surprises may result. Quiet moments of reflection
may be required. Questions can be asked for which there may be no immediate or
clear answers. That's ok. Allow for staying open to possibilities;
critique groups vary based upon the ratio and balance of ingredients.
Caution: If each author doesn’t feel heard and respected, the ratio
of ingredients has gone awry and you will most assuredly want to double-check
your recipe.
Note: Every once in a while, it's a good idea to add a one-time
ingredient to this recipe, such as a professional editor or published author
who will provide a new voice and perspective to the discussion – this can best
be achieved over a weekend. For a sample taste of this sort of enhanced group
experience, go to this post from
the Route 19 Writers blog.
This recipe serves
many, including a richer society of writers and readers.
