Writing is a solitary occupation. Most of my books were written with little or no suggestions from anyone—agent, editor or other writer friends. I can’t say they would have been better if I had had some creative input from others. Different, maybe, yes, but better…who knows?
Then, about five years ago, a few of us “seasoned” authors got together and created a brainstorming group. We meet only once a year for a week where each is given two 90-minute sessions to talk about our current work-in-progress. Sometimes our ideas are half-baked. We may have just the germ of the plot of the book, or only the two main characters. Or maybe the plot is pretty well developed, but there are problems. That’s where the skill and creative instinct of experienced authors are invaluable. After years of publishing, we’re each very good at what we do. Problems in plot/set-up/characterization/etc., are quickly spotted. Ideas for “what-if” flow as fast as speeding bullets from these BS’ers (a moniker that was inevitable). Comments for “what’s-wrong” come just as quickly. There is no mean-spiritedness in this group. We’re solid friends with only one goal: To offer suggestions from our particular point of view as to problems which will assist each other in turning out our very best books.
I know how fortunate I am to have a brainstorming group composed of multi-published authors, but that level of experience isn’t possible for all writers and it doesn’t have to be. Some authors, especially beginning authors, gravitate naturally to critique groups. Members may or may not be writers, but each probably contributes from a good “creative eye.” I can’t believe that I wrote about thirty books before I realized the value of such a group. And I hope I don’t ever have to write another book without first having it scrutinized by the BS’ers.
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