Springs Writers Critique Group

This critique group will meet the Saturday following the Springs Writers monthly workshop.

When: Saturday, January 16, 2010

Where: 5209 Del Paz Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

This Saturday Springs Writers will host its first critique group session. This group is open to anyone who wants to attend. You are welcome to come and observe.

The goals of this group include:

· Learn each critique group member’s responsibilities

· Teach writers how to give and receive critiques

· Critique submitted pages from manuscripts

· Channel participants into ongoing, healthy critique groups.

Submission Guidelines

To make sure the critique sessions are on target and beneficial, please provide the following when submitting a chapter or article.

· Submit a complete article or chapter, but realize we may only partially critique each submission. (In some critique groups, members are only obligated to review 8-10 pages per person.)

· Spellcheck your article before submitting it.

· Email your submission to scotidomeij at gmail dot com before Saturday.

· Submission deadline: We’ll discuss this on Saturday.

· Bring six copies for critique group members.

· Please read the information below. If possible, include the information that’s listed under your submission category with your emailed submission.

FICTION/NOVEL

What is the genre?

Who is the target audience?

One Sentence Summary: What is your book about?

1. Elements of the one-liner

a. 25 words or less.

b. Packed with emotion and suspense

c. Evokes character, suggests motivations, and strongly suggests plot.

d. Hooks readers into wanting more.

e. Sells your story to agents and editors.

2. Samples:

a. A slain cop is reborn as a fearsome cyborg and takes revenge, regains his identity.

b. A paleontologist contends with man's hubris on an island resort where dinosaurs have been revived.

c. After the death of his only friend, a dwarf must re-connect with new people, situations.

d. A rogue physicist travels back in time to kill the apostle Paul.

e. Check out the New York Times Bestseller descriptions

3. Links regarding one sentence summary by Randy Ingermanson

a. http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

b. http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/03/26/whats-your-one-sentence-summary/

Brief synopses of your novel.

· Should read like back cover copy.

· Punchy, to the point, and invitational to the reader.

· 75-500 words.

· Avoid deep details; it’s an overview.

· Focus on character’s goals and motivations.

· Establish the setting and tone.

· Write the synopsis in present tense, third-person, even though your project may be first person.

· Includes all important plot points, conflict or topics of your book.

· What does the character encounter in story events and how the character emotionally/physically/spiritually reacts to those events?

· How does the character change as a result of the conflict?

· Describes the story setup, major disasters, and ending of the novel.

· Links to articles regarding writing a synopsis.

a. http://www.charlottedillon.com/synopsis.html

b. http://www.mybooktherapy.com/index2.php/?page_id=171

c. http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/The+Rock+Synopsis.aspx

NONFICTION BOOK

Who is the target audience?

What is the book about?

1. Write a 90 second elevator speech. This is similar to a synopsis—a verbal pitch of your book—a brief explanation of what your book is about. No more than 3 sentences.

ANTHOLOGY

Note: The easiest way to provide this information is to go to the Web site and copy and paste it into a document. Include the link to the Web site.

What is the name of the anthology?

1. Examples: Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup for the Soul

What description did the publisher provide?

2. Example: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Topic: New Moms: Becoming a new mom is the most amazing experience, unique and unlike any other. From the moment that baby is placed in your arms, there is an incredible feeling only a new mother can know. This book celebrates the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of having a child and creating a family. We are looking for heartwarming, insightful, and humorous stories about raising babies and toddlers that share with our readers the wonders of early motherhood. The deadline for story submissions is February 28, 2010.

What are the publisher’s writing guidelines?

ARTICLE

Who is the target audience?

What kind of article is this?

What magazine or e-zine are you planning to send the article to?

Which column are you targeting?

1. Example: Relevant magazine:

a. The God section explores spiritual topics (spiritual disciplines, relationship with God, others and the church, worship). 600-1000 words

b. Life covers just that: life (relationships, career, finance, travel, psychology and ethics/morality). 600-1000 words

c. Progressive Culture talks about what's new and noteworthy in culture—trends, fashion, film, TV, arts and music. Reviews: 400-600 words; features 600-1000 words.

What are the magazines’ writing guidelines? Once again, the easiest way to provide this info is to cut and paste from the magazine’s Web site, include the link.