Fort Worth Writers Meetings

FWW holds meetings every Saturday, 10am to noon at Frost Bank, 4200 S Hulen, Fort Worth.

Guidelines for Traditional Critique

  • Presented work should be no more than 5 Pages, but be practical; an extra paragraph that completes a chapter shouldn’t be sacrificed to meet the five-page requirement.
  • 12 point Courier or Times New Roman (preferred).
  • Double spaced, 1 inch margins all round.
  • Authors name and the title of the work should be in the top margin. The page number should be in the lower margin.
  • Author reads aloud the work (typical) or another in the group may read if desired.
  • Members provide feedback, typically one at a time.
  • 20 minutes for reading and feedback (aim for at least 10 minutes feedback).
  • Only FWM members may present work and give feedback.
  • Non-members may attend two sessions to gain and insight into the process and see if it fits their needs.

Guidelines for Feedback

  • Aim for constructive criticism that improves the work and/or provides insight that will help the presenter improve their skills.
  • The author shouldn’t defend their work, not should they have to. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and the author is entitled to adopt or reject comments as they see fit.
  • Ten minutes isn’t long to provide feedback. Keep discussion concise, don’t ramble.
  • Discuss plot consistency.
  • Discuss character consistency and arcs.
  • Mark punctuation, spelling, grammar mistakes on the page. Do not discuss unless there is a consistent pattern that ought to be addressed in general (for example, continual use of the passive voice or excessive use of exclamation marks).
  • Finally, praise is as much as a part of critique as criticism. If you like something, say so; it helps to know what works in one’s writing just as much as what doesn’t work.