The Benefits of Joining a Memoir Critique Group
Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
By Mary Kole
A memoir critique group could help you get closer to your writing goal than simply sitting down to craft creative nonfiction alone. Writing a memoir is a unique and specific experience that can be both rewarding and challenging. There are unique considerations in memoir writing that you won’t find in any other discipline. The best way to keep your writing skills sharp and to get insights into improving your work is by joining a critique group of like-minded authors. A memoir critique group can help you sharpen your writing, provide feedback on story structure, character development, and other elements, as well as offer support and encouragement when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Let’s explore the benefits of joining a memoir critique group.
Getting Feedback From Your Peers in a Memoir Critique Group
The primary benefit of joining a memoir critique group is receiving honest writing feedback from experienced peers who understand your specific book genre. You will be able to discuss strengths and weaknesses in story structure, characterization, dialogue writing, pacing in writing, plot points, and more. Even though a memoir is largely a true story—your life story—commercial contemporary memoir requires the same level of storytelling craft that a novel does. That’s what literary agents, publishers, and memoir readers expect. If you join a memoir critique group, you know that the writers around you have been through what you’re going through—the highs and the lows. Everyone in the group will bring different perspectives on how to make your memoir the best it can be. Furthermore, having people who are knowledgeable about the subject matter can provide invaluable advice when you’re trying to make tough editorial decisions.
Encouragement and Support Through a Memoir Critique Group
Writing memoirs can often be an isolating experience, especially if you are working through trauma or difficult situations from your past. You are also often writing about people in your personal life, and may not feel comfortable sharing your manuscript with them, for fear that they won’t like how they’re being portrayed. Having private access to individuals who understand the memoir creative process makes all the difference. Not only does having a supportive community help with constructive criticism, being part of a group also offers you moral support when things don’t go according to plan or when writer's block or writing rejection sets in (more here on how to overcome writer’s block). Most importantly, sharing experiences with others who are going through similar struggles helps remind us why we write—to connect with others through our stories. This kind of camaraderie and accountability can make all the difference in your writing process, and it can be found when you join a memoir critique group.
Finding Your Place in a Memoir Critique Group
A major part of finding success as an author is connecting with readers and building relationships within the publishing industry. It’s also never too early to start. Participating in a memoir critique group will give you access to people who share similar interests while simultaneously introducing you to potential future collaborators or even just new friends that could help shape your writing career in ways that no one else can. Ultimately, being part of such a close-knit community helps foster creativity and personal growth, while offering insight into what makes a good story.
Joining a memoir critique group has many advantages for any aspiring writer looking for honest feedback on their work, as well as emotional support and guidance. In addition to getting valuable advice from experienced peers in your field, participating in a memoir critique group also provides networking opportunities so you can build relationships with other writers and industry professionals that could prove invaluable down the road. Take advantage of a virtual or in-person memoir critique group today, and watch your autobiographical or personal essay writing flourish.
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