Dawn of a new idea by Elaine Schmitz

I started a book review group, along with writers Julie Royce, Vee Byram, and Sharon Svitak, with a different twist. All of us are in critique groups sponsored by the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch. All of us strive to improve our skills not only as writers, but as critiquers as well.

That quest became the basis of this group when I attended the monthly meeting for the club late last year. The speaker was Becky Levine, author of The Writing and Critique Group Survival Guide. Her talk motivated me to buy the book, and after reading the first 50 pages, I knew I had to share this gem with my critique group and beyond.

I had already shared a publication on self-editing with other writers, and they loved it. There are dozens and dozens of great books that can push aspiring authors to higher levels of excellence. Why not, I thought, form a group that reads one of these books a month, as well as excellent examples of the different genres our groups are writing. This can only make us better critique partners and improve our own submissions.

With those hopes in mind, we met at Panera’s for just over an hour. Around the table we took turns 1) lauding the book as a must-have reference book for any person joining a critique group, 2) sharing “ahas” we gleaned for our writing and critique practices, and 3) the value we found in exploring other books that will help us on our way to satisfying writing careers.

We all thank Becky Levine for her inspiring this idea and for her bellwether book on critique groups.

So if you happen to be in the area around Dublin’s Panera on the 2nd Thursday of the month, at 2:00 p.m., come join us.