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GUIDELINES
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Our goal is to offer a safe community in which our members are able to share their work and ask for advice among fellow members. We want to help our writers get better and achieve goals. We are not mean-spirited and we do not put work down. We want our members to enjoy differences of opinion within the discussion and allow the author to make choices and protect their own unique voice. The practice of reading your work out loud, as well as hearing others’ work is exceedingly valuable. Please remember this is to be a discussion group, not a debate group.
For the author:
Every member is invited to read. If you want your piece discussed, please let the group facilitator know BEFORE you read. Please remember that suggestions from the discussion group are simply that – SUGGESTIONS. You are the author so use suggestions only if you find them helpful. If someone in the WIP Cafe finds fault with your work it does not mean that all readers will agree. Writing is subjective. Everyone is entitled to an opinion whether or not we all agree. While your piece is discussed please listen. Do not try to "defend" your writing choices while others are discussing them. If a question is asked of you for clarification purposes, you may explain a specific point for clarification. This is a DISCUSSION group - not a DEBATE group.
The basics:
1. Bring 5-10 copies of your work to share with the group. Please be sure to number your pages. Pages may be stapled or paper-clipped. Please keep graphic, gratuitous sex, violence, and crude language to a minimum.
2. Prose (fiction & non-fiction) pieces should be typed and double-spaced, 12 font. No more than 5 pages.
3. Poetry may be single-spaced, maximum of 50 lines.
4. Prose pieces are limited to 1 per person per discussion group meeting. Poetry pieces are limited to 2 per person. As time permits, more works may be read at the discretion of the group leader.
**The discussion group leader has the responsibility for limiting length of time for reading per member as well as responses to a work. A sign-up sheet for reading may be used to keep track of readers and to assure everyone has the opportunity to read.
For the discussion:
1. BEFORE a piece is read, the author must identify how and if comments should be made:
This is a decision made by the author of the piece and should be adhered to as the author requests. Remember that the act of reading ones work out loud is quite valuable to the craft as is receiving good advice from other writers.
2. Remember that comments you make on another person’s work will be taken very seriously. When comments are requested, write on the copy provided and return it to the author when you are finished.
3. Balance your responses. Be sure to point out what you like as well as what you feel can be improved. Do not be overly negative and do not be overly kind; be reasonable.
4. Honesty and directness in your own voice is more valuable than teacher talk.
5. Telling the writer where in the piece you were confused, when you were moved, or when a particular passage causes you to stumble, etc. can be of great help.
6. You may ask the author questions about their piece when it is your turn for comment and comments have been requested, but this should not become a debate session.
For the author:
Every member is invited to read. If you want your piece discussed, please let the group facilitator know BEFORE you read. Please remember that suggestions from the discussion group are simply that – SUGGESTIONS. You are the author so use suggestions only if you find them helpful. If someone in the WIP Cafe finds fault with your work it does not mean that all readers will agree. Writing is subjective. Everyone is entitled to an opinion whether or not we all agree. While your piece is discussed please listen. Do not try to "defend" your writing choices while others are discussing them. If a question is asked of you for clarification purposes, you may explain a specific point for clarification. This is a DISCUSSION group - not a DEBATE group.
The basics:
1. Bring 5-10 copies of your work to share with the group. Please be sure to number your pages. Pages may be stapled or paper-clipped. Please keep graphic, gratuitous sex, violence, and crude language to a minimum.
2. Prose (fiction & non-fiction) pieces should be typed and double-spaced, 12 font. No more than 5 pages.
3. Poetry may be single-spaced, maximum of 50 lines.
4. Prose pieces are limited to 1 per person per discussion group meeting. Poetry pieces are limited to 2 per person. As time permits, more works may be read at the discretion of the group leader.
**The discussion group leader has the responsibility for limiting length of time for reading per member as well as responses to a work. A sign-up sheet for reading may be used to keep track of readers and to assure everyone has the opportunity to read.
For the discussion:
1. BEFORE a piece is read, the author must identify how and if comments should be made:
- Comments about the piece should be discussed out loud and written on the copy provided to you after the piece is read (return the copy to the author after you've written comments and discussed the piece)
- Comments about the piece will be written on the piece only, no discussion of the work shall ensue after it is read. (return the copy to the author after you've written comments)
- The author may read their piece and request no comments are given what-so-ever. In this case the reader will be given a simple "thank you" after their piece is read
This is a decision made by the author of the piece and should be adhered to as the author requests. Remember that the act of reading ones work out loud is quite valuable to the craft as is receiving good advice from other writers.
2. Remember that comments you make on another person’s work will be taken very seriously. When comments are requested, write on the copy provided and return it to the author when you are finished.
3. Balance your responses. Be sure to point out what you like as well as what you feel can be improved. Do not be overly negative and do not be overly kind; be reasonable.
4. Honesty and directness in your own voice is more valuable than teacher talk.
5. Telling the writer where in the piece you were confused, when you were moved, or when a particular passage causes you to stumble, etc. can be of great help.
6. You may ask the author questions about their piece when it is your turn for comment and comments have been requested, but this should not become a debate session.
A word about critique by Jennifer Hasheider:
In my experience, having your work critiqued for the very first time is scary. Of course the piece you've written is wonderful in your eyes, so it's very hard to sit and listen to people give advice for changes to your work. What? You didn't LOVE it?? When you leave critique group, step away from your piece for the afternoon. Later, have a look at the comments written by the other members. Read all of the comments with an open mind. No one is attacking your work, we all give advice in an effort to help your piece improve in some fashion. The terrific thing about SW is that we have so many unique voices from which to gather advice. An important thing to remember is that the piece belongs to YOU, the author. It's up to you to decide what happens to your work after it is critiqued. Did more than one person have the same comment? If one person said one thing you don't agree with - it's up to you to make the change or not make the change, but if several folks made the same comment then it's my opinion that advice may be worth some serious consideration. Good luck! Remember, you are not alone in your journey to write, or to become a better writer. We are all here for you.
In my experience, having your work critiqued for the very first time is scary. Of course the piece you've written is wonderful in your eyes, so it's very hard to sit and listen to people give advice for changes to your work. What? You didn't LOVE it?? When you leave critique group, step away from your piece for the afternoon. Later, have a look at the comments written by the other members. Read all of the comments with an open mind. No one is attacking your work, we all give advice in an effort to help your piece improve in some fashion. The terrific thing about SW is that we have so many unique voices from which to gather advice. An important thing to remember is that the piece belongs to YOU, the author. It's up to you to decide what happens to your work after it is critiqued. Did more than one person have the same comment? If one person said one thing you don't agree with - it's up to you to make the change or not make the change, but if several folks made the same comment then it's my opinion that advice may be worth some serious consideration. Good luck! Remember, you are not alone in your journey to write, or to become a better writer. We are all here for you.
Hints on Reading at Open Mic by Marcia Gaye
1. Choose the piece carefully. Though it may an excerpt from a larger piece, it should be somewhat self-contained.
2. Know the guidelines of the venue. Beware of profanity and questionable content.
3. Practice. Be familiar with the piece. Know how it feels to say the words. Don’t apologize for not being prepared, if you’re not prepared then wait for next time.
4. Rehearse. Read clearly. Enunciate. Use inflection. Use hand gestures and move around. No one enjoys a monotone reading.
5. Time it. Know your time limit and stay within it. But don’t rush! It is better to not use all your allotted time than to run overtime. The limit includes introductory remarks, set-up, and closing. Leave them wanting more, never make them wish you’d stop.
6. Try to make eye contact with the audience. Practice and rehearse so you don’t stumble or mumble, and print your selection in large, easy-to-see type. Remember you may be in a low light reading area. You might want to bring a book light.
7. Stay on mic. Reading is completely useless if you can’t be heard. Microphones vary widely in sensitivity, and may need to be adjusted for closeness and height. Watch other readers to learn what works best for wherever you may be.
8. Remember to always respect other readers as you would want them to do for you. Don’t get up and down. Avoid leaving during a reading. Don’t whisper. Don’t text. Don’t take photos or recordings without asking beforehand.
9. Be confident, be proud, but don’t be a self-promoter. An open reading is not a sales pitch. If your audience loves your material, they will approach you.
1. Choose the piece carefully. Though it may an excerpt from a larger piece, it should be somewhat self-contained.
2. Know the guidelines of the venue. Beware of profanity and questionable content.
3. Practice. Be familiar with the piece. Know how it feels to say the words. Don’t apologize for not being prepared, if you’re not prepared then wait for next time.
4. Rehearse. Read clearly. Enunciate. Use inflection. Use hand gestures and move around. No one enjoys a monotone reading.
5. Time it. Know your time limit and stay within it. But don’t rush! It is better to not use all your allotted time than to run overtime. The limit includes introductory remarks, set-up, and closing. Leave them wanting more, never make them wish you’d stop.
6. Try to make eye contact with the audience. Practice and rehearse so you don’t stumble or mumble, and print your selection in large, easy-to-see type. Remember you may be in a low light reading area. You might want to bring a book light.
7. Stay on mic. Reading is completely useless if you can’t be heard. Microphones vary widely in sensitivity, and may need to be adjusted for closeness and height. Watch other readers to learn what works best for wherever you may be.
8. Remember to always respect other readers as you would want them to do for you. Don’t get up and down. Avoid leaving during a reading. Don’t whisper. Don’t text. Don’t take photos or recordings without asking beforehand.
9. Be confident, be proud, but don’t be a self-promoter. An open reading is not a sales pitch. If your audience loves your material, they will approach you.