Am I A Gray Blob?

As for the title...  Don't answer that.  I better not be!

For this week’s Fantastic Friday Writers, the topic is Critique Partners.  In a recent interview, the host said, “I’ve heard writers say that participating in critique groups hampers the individual’s creative process; that not only is a lid put on the writer’s inspiration, they come away a cookie-cut shape of the others in the group.”  Then he asked if I belong to a group and what my thoughts on the matter where. 

Well, I suppose if a writer finds a group of authors that are headstrong and set on theirs’ being the only right way to think, that view would be true. 

It’s important to let your muse shine when you create.  Self expression is what keeps us individuals, and in my opinion, brings dreams to life.  How interesting would it be to have everyone appear, sound, think the same?    

It reminds me of (yes, I’m a mom) an episode on The Fairly Odd Parents.  It’s a little cartoon where fairy godparents grant wishes to a little boy named Timmy.  In The Same Game, Timmy is teased for having buck teeth and wanted everyone to look the same so he wouldn't be different.  And he wishes it.  Of course, Wanda and Cosmo make it so.  Everyone in the world turned into a gray blob of a person.  Nobody appeared different.  They were only able to find Timmy and grant his wish to return to normal by finding the gray blob that wore the pink hat—Timmy’s little individual show of expression.

Relating this to critique groups and cookie cutter writers…  If people in your group try to tell you how to think and tell your story, then find another group.  I have wonderful critique partners.  I’ve mentioned them several times in my blogs and all over the internet.  

 

Check out the other Fantastic Friday Writers’ blogs!