FINDING YOUR WAY WITH A CRITIQUE GROUP

 

by

 

Kimberly Keagan

 

 

 

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR KIMBERLY KEAGAN TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. KIMBERLY SHARES PERKS OF PARTICIPATING IN A CRITIQUE GROUP.

 

 

 

In 2020, I finally found the time to pursue my dream of writing a historical romance novel, but I felt entirely out of my element. It had been years since I'd last tried my hand at fiction, and I quickly realized I knew far less about the craft than I had thought. Yet, I wasn't sure where to turn for help.

 

 

 

I enrolled in online writing classes and joined a few writers' groups, though I didn't participate much at first (to be fair, it was the beginning of the pandemic). A writer friend suggested I join the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers Group to connect with writers who enjoyed writing and loved the Lord.

 

 

 

Aside from a few class assignments, I hadn't shared my writing with anyone—not even my family. Soon after joining FHLCW, I came across a discussion post about open critique groups. The idea was both intriguing and terrifying. But I mustered the courage and joined a small group of amazing historical romance writers: Denise M. Colby (www.denisemcolby.com), Christina Rich (www.authorchristinarich.com), and Marie Wells Coutu (www.mariewellscoutu.com). Although we've only ever met online, I've grown to cherish these women and consider them dear friends.

 

 

 

We're all at different stages of our writing journeys, each bringing unique skills to the group. Initially, we had structured guidelines for our weekly submissions, which worked well for us. Over time, as we've grown closer, things have become more informal. We bounce ideas off one another and help each other through deadline crunches. What makes this group truly special is the constant encouragement we offer each other in our writing and our Christian faith.

 

 

 

Here are some benefits of joining a critique group:

• Knowing that your peers are waiting to read your latest work can be a powerful motivator. It pushes you to set goals and stick to them, helping to reduce procrastination.
• We are better together. Each person in the group has different strengths, so the feedback encompasses a wide variety of thoughts and ideas, all of which help your writing become stronger.
• Critique groups expose you to various writing styles, backgrounds, and voices, which can inspire you to experiment with your storytelling.
• Writing can often be filled with self-doubt and frustration. A supportive group of writers who understand your struggles can make all the difference in maintaining your enthusiasm and momentum.

 

 

 

However, being part of a critique group also requires commitment:

• You must be willing to accept constructive criticism. It's important to leave your ego at the door and remember that the goal is to improve your writing, not to defend it.
• Being an active member takes time. You need to read and provide feedback on others' work regularly. I've learned to set aside a specific day each week to focus on my partners' submissions, ensuring I give their work my full attention.

 

 

 

Joining a writing critique group can be a wonderful experience that enhances your writing skills and fosters personal growth. For me, the camaraderie is one of the best parts of being a writer.

 

 

 

Some authors may feel critique groups aren't for them, and that's perfectly fine. But as the saying goes, you'll never know until you try. I'd encourage you to give it a shot for a few months. And because not all groups gel, it may take several tries until you find one that fits you.

 

 

 

Whether you're new to writing or seeking fresh perspectives, joining a critique group might be just what you need to unlock your potential. Why not give it a try and see where it leads?

 

 

 

At the age of thirteen, Kimberly Keagan discovered romance novels. Whenever possible, she ignored her chores in favor of a book she couldn't put down. In time, she earned a degree in accounting and enjoyed a brief career in investor relations, writing financial reports and press releases—terrific jobs, but not very romantic. By God's grace, she married her own handsome hero and raised two wonderful children, whom they homeschooled. Now, she is following her long-held dream of penning historical romance. Her debut novel releases in 2025.

Head to linktr.ee/kimberlykeagan to connect with Kimberly. You'll find links to her short stories, story world articles, book news, and book recommendations.

 

 

 

 

FEATURED BOOK:  Sweet Tea and Suspects

AUTHOR:  Jann Franklin

PUBLISHER:  Rougarou Press

GENRE:  Cozy Mystery

SERIES OR STAND ALONE:  Book 5 in Small Town Girl Mysteries series

TARGET AGE: 18+

 

 

 

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR JANN FRANKLIN TO PATTI’S PORCH. JANN TALKS ABOUT HIDDEN SECRETS THAT LIE WITHIN HER COMPUTER THAT COULD BE INCRIMINATING!

 

 

 

DON’T TELL THE FBI ABOUT MY BROWSER HISTORY

 

 

 

by

 

 

 

Jann Franklin

 

 

When I stumbled into writing, I couldn’t believe how much fun I was having! It was like being a parent, only with more control. I wanted my protagonist to have straight dark hair, glasses, and a PhD in English Literature. And she does! My children never obeyed that perfectly.

 

 

 

When I began this writing journey I had to choose a genre. You know—mystery, thriller, horror, historical, romance, speculative fiction, science fiction, etc. Everyone says “write what you know.” But who wanted to read about a middle-aged CPA living on a farm in Louisiana? So, I rolled the dice, so to speak, and chose something I’d like to know.

 

 

 

I knew I couldn’t write romance. Don’t get me wrong—I’m as romantic as the next person. But there’s one thing we all know about romance: the guy and the girl end up together at the end. Oh sure, there’s some twists and turns, maybe a couple of unexpected hiccups, if the writer’s really good. But we’re cheering for the two protagonists to get together, and we’d be angry if they didn’t. But as a writer, I have a hard time writing something when I already know the ending.

 

 

 

I love fantasy, science fiction, dystopian,…name the speculative fiction type and I’ll read it. But could I write it? Probably not, because I’d have to create an entire new world. And I get lost in the one I currently live in. I could hear my future readers screaming, because my maps made no sense. “What the heck, Jann? Here in the third book you created that massive forest complete with dragons. But in your first novel you clearly described a metropolis with centaurs directing traffic…in the same dang place!”

 

 

 

Goodness, I can’t navigate a map here in the real world! There’s no way I could do it in one I made up.

 

 

 

That’s what brought me to mysteries. But no crime scenes with blood oozing everywhere and decapitated bodies. No, my mother-in-law reads my books—she already wonders about me, I don’t need to confirm any suspicions. And of course, no wild sex scenes either—no need to make family dinners any more awkward than they already are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I plotted out my first mystery, Muffalettas and Murder, and I knew exactly who the murderer was. A quarter of the way through the book I realized I had a serious problem: I tried so hard to disguise who the murderer was, that I made it so obvious by the lack of clues. In the end I had to change my murderer, but it was a struggle. In my second mystery, Boudin and Bloodshed, I had no idea who the killer was. Strange, you might say, even unorthodox. But in talking to other mystery writers, I’ve discovered it’s fairly common.

 

 

 

In my third book, Fruitcake and Fraud (due out the week of Thanksgiving), I had the big revealing clue all planned out. But I had no idea who the clue would point towards until the last three chapters. For me, the book flows better if I’m solving the mystery as I write. And that’s a lot of fun! Which brings me to another fun part of being a mystery writer…learning how to kill people.

 

 

 

Thanks to the internet, I’ve learned the best ways to strangle, stab, and shoot a person. Poisons are a little more complicated, but we’ll get to that. In Muffalettas, I researched handguns versus shotguns, the bullets they use, and which are most effective. I did a deep dive on blood spatter for the crime scene too. I also researched the deepest body of water in Louisiana, to dispose of a dead body (of course). For one suspect, I even looked into dealing drugs and laundering money.

 

 

 

In Boudin, I had to find out just how blood pressure medication affects the body, and the best way to administer an overdose. I think Fruitcake has been my favorite though, in terms of research, because the victim was stabbed. I scoured the internet long and hard for useful information on how the height of the killer affects the stab wound, the amount of mess the wound would cause, and how much upper body strength it would take.

 

 

 

For my fourth mystery, Mardi Gras and Mayhem, the victim’s shrimp po’ boy is poisoned. The internet isn’t specific enough for that research! Luckily, I found a class from The Poison Lady herself, Luci Hanson Zalvay. She’s a pharmacist who specializes in poisons. She works with law enforcement and writes books—she even has a locked cabinet full of various poisons and antidotes. I’ve also been listening to “The Poisoners’ Cabinet”, a podcast about crimes using poison. It’s definitely not for the faint hearted, but it’s a lot of fun.

 

 

 

Oh, by the way, if the FBI comes knocking on your door, asking if you know anything about this Jann Franklin character and all the bizarre sites saved in her browser history, just play it cool. Tell them I’m a writer and it’s all research. Well, most of it anyway.

 

 

 

Blurb for Sweet Tea and Suspects

The community theater is putting on Death of a Salesman, but someone has turned the play into reality!

Who killed Daniel Sullivan, star of the show and all-around jerk? Hometown heroine Jen Guidry was arrested, but did she really do it? Maybe it was the director, or the understudy? It could have been the producer, or the naïve ingenue. There are more suspects than cups of sugar in a pitcher of sweet tea.

Can Ev and Shorty solve their fifth case and bring the killer to justice? Regardless, the show must go on!

This book is the fifth of the Small-Town Girl Mysteries, a clean faith-based series of books with no profanity, sex, or graphic violence.

 

 

 

Jann Franklin is a faith-based cozy mystery writer attracting readers who enjoy twisty Southern mysteries with a touch of romance and a dose of humor. These quirky yet charming residents are just like family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Immerse yourself in small town culture as you exercise your sleuthing skills and your funny bone.

Connect with Jann:

Author Website

Facebook Page

Instagram Profile

Goodreads Profile

Bookbub

Amazon Author Profile Page

Newsletter Sign-Up

Amazon Profile

 

 

 

 

 

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