Hello, dreamers. So I’ve spent most of this month working on my new novel, but I’ve still been editing. And it’s been going very well, because for the first time, I’ve had help.

Recently, I finally joined a critique group. For the uninitiated, a critique group is a group of writers who assist one another in editing their work. It’s generally understood that a critique group is crucial for aspiring or emerging writers. Most writers have at least one critique partner: a fellow writer they exchange work with, who helps them to spot issues and refine their writing. But a critique group is even more valuable, because it provides diverse perspectives.

The biggest impediment to self-editing is the author themselves. When you write, it’s easy to fall into ruts. Frequent mistakes become bad habits, then crutches. And when you’re the only person looking at your work, it’s easy to overlook even glaring issues. Stare at something long enough, and you get used to it. Having just one additional pair of eyes on your work can be helpful. But different people will provide additional viewpoints. Some will point out issues others will not. And in the end, that fresh perspective helps elevate your work.

In a critique group, diversity is the key. Ideally you want writers from different backgrounds and at least somewhat different specializations. While all of my critique partners are speculative fiction writers, I’m the only hard sci-fi writer in the group. One of them almost exclusively writes fantasy. Another is a self-pub author of young adult fiction. I’m one of two writers in the group who is (or, in my case, will be) traditionally published. Another has a degree in writing. I consider all of my critique partners peers, which is also crucial: I need to know my work is being assessed by writers I consider to be at or above my level.

Already, my critique group has been invaluable. I’ve had them look over several of my existing short fiction manuscripts, and they have spurred me to make changes I had considered but didn’t think of as crucial. Plus they’ve highlighted a few problems I hadn’t even noticed. So far, they’ve worked through two of them, and I dare say the results are two of the best short fic manuscripts I’ve ever produced. After turning my story slated to appear in next year’s Writers of the Future anthology over to them, they found numerous spelling errors that had slipped past me, multiple beta readers, and my editor. These guys are the best.

As they say, it takes a village to write a novel. Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely profession. And it’s no coincidence that successful authors have a list of people to thank in their acknowledgements. Thanks to my critique group, I have four more names to add to mine.

So for those who will be enjoying my work in print next year, I take full credit for bringing these stories to life. But you have Serin, Alicia, Mark, and Gemma to thank for making each of them truly special. – MK