Has anyone here used "Critique Circle"?

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   Billie Kelpinposted 9 years ago

   I have a short story that I'd like critiqued and found "Critique Circle" in a google search which seems to have a nice format and a logical system set up. It has a Writer's Digest seal and I have great respect for that website.
   
   I have submitted my story for a contest even though I realize it has a lot of problems. I can't publish it here on hubpages for critique until that contest is over.  I know for certain that it can't possibly win and this is not based on false humility. I submitted it at  the very last minute and didn't proof it, so it has terrible flaws.  (I even called one of my characters "Jenny" instead of "Julie" once within the story).  I am anxious to work on the flaws before that contest is over while the story is still cookin' in my brain, so I'm wondering if anyone here might have used Critique Circle and what your opinion of it might be.   
   
   Thanks Hub Buds, (Whew, that's REALLY hard to say! Don't try it after a glass of wine.)
   
   Billie Kelpin

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the info!  A few years back, I was in a creative writing class where everyone critiqued our work, and we re-wrote it several times.  I wanted to form a club after class was over, but no one was interested.  I'm glad something like this exists online!

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         Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Say Yes,
         Exactly!  I remember our critiques in my writing class.  Our "how-to" articles that we write here are pretty straight-forward, but so many of us want to perfect the short story and novel - a whole different ball game   I'm going to check it out.  Cheers, Billie

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      NateB11posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'll have to check out Critique Circle. I joined a site called WritersCafe (dot org) a few days ago, mainly because I like to write poetry. I know poetry generally doesn't make money and gets little traffic (unless you want to work some SEO into it, which I don't think I want to do). Writers Cafe appealed to me mainly because I like the look of the site. I haven't had anyone there critique my stuff yet, but I'm not that interested in that; mostly I just wanted a place to write some poetry.

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         Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         We'll have to check that out Nate.  Now that you mention it, I'm wondering if that was the place years ago that had a great list of contests.

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   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   It is one of the better sites for swapping feedback with other lawyers.  But he advice in any given response you get is only as good as the abilities of the person who happens to be giving it.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Psycheskinner,  There must be another website of the same name.  This is a writer's critiquing site.

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   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   Lol autocorrect on my phone made authors into lawyers.
   
   I have been a member on critique circle for 5 years now.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      LOL!  That autocorrect has "done me in" more than once.  Actually, I think the grammar and spell check at 2:00 am without me re-checking is one of the reasons that story will never win the contest.  It changed my grammar and wording in at least two places that should never have been corrected.  (However, waiting until the last day of the contest to WRITE the story in the first place might have had something to do with it  
      Well, then, Psycheskinner GREAT!  Thank you so much.  I'm going to sign up today.  Really appreciate this! PS Kristin Gunsberg had a good suggestion that you'd be more qualified to tackle having 5 years of experience.  She suggested a review of the site.  Hope you would create a hub like that since I'm sure there would be interest!  Thanks again. Cheers, Billie

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   Kierstin Gunsbergposted 9 years ago

   I've never heard of it but now I'm totally interested! I'll have to check it out = ) Maybe you could write a review of the site after some time there, Billie.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Kristin, After Psycheskinner's respose I'm definitely going to check this out.  I think a review would be a great idea.  Since Psycheskinner has experience, I'm hoping she will write us all a hub about it.  Let's give it a whirl!

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   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   Maybe I should do a review. I have tried many sites of this type and CC would be on the top 3. The points system means people get back in proportion to what they give. In the long run I still think beta readers who know your genre or a smaller group where people know what your goals are is better. But CC is very good as a first step in that direction.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      PS, I think that would be a WONDERFUL hub - helpful to everyone who writes.  A comparison/contrast of various sites might be good since you mentioned the top 3.  Looking forward!

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   Marisa Wrightposted 9 years ago

   Just noticed this and thanks for the tip!    I've joined as MarisaW and am going to try it out.  I'm not sure yet how easy it is to find people by username but happy to keep an eye out for fellow Hubbers.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Marisa,  I didn't get a chance to sign up yet, but when I do, I'll look for you I'll probably use BillieK if it's available .

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   teee2posted 9 years ago

   I have never heard of Critique circle. Thanks for making me hear this for the first time. I will check it out too.

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   Marisa Wrightposted 9 years ago

   Popping back in with an update.   
   
   I joined, tried it, wasn't impressed at first - but now I really like it.   I wouldn't bother upgrading to the paid membership, I don't think, but the free one is very useful and I've already gained a lot from it in just a few days. 
   
   The way it works is that you have to critique other people's work to earn points, and once you have enough points you can post your own work for others to critique. 
   
   I was dismayed at the quality of some of the writing at first, but then I realised that's the beauty of CC - you don't have to critique something if you don't want to, you simply close that document and move on to the next one.    I like that much better than the old-fashioned writers' circle where you all swap manuscripts - it's awkward getting handed something really awful and not knowing what to say!!  Plus I think, because you're dealing with people personally, they are sometimes reluctant to be honest - which is not what you really want, even if the truth can be hard to swallow sometimes!

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