Most new writers join critique groups, but have you ever wondered if you’re spending too much time in one? Here are some problems that I’ve noticed.

1. Most critique groups, over time, will morph into social clubs. The authors who join them tend to become friends, and as the months pass, it seems that the authors do less and less writing and critiquing and spend more and more time going to dinner and chatting. My old friend Dr. Jerry Pournelle once pointed out that if you are having a hard time writing, turn off the television, close your email, stop talking to your friends, and then go sit in silence. In an hour or two, your imaginary characters will begin talking, and you can start writing. But a social club tends to short circuit that process. Once we begin chatting, we tend to stop writing.
2. Many writers, when exposed to a lot of critiques, will find themselves getting frightened and “blocked” when they try to write. I’ve known several writers who have become book critics, who then find it almost impossible to write afterward. Their own inner critic shouts so loudly, they can’t write.
3. Once you begin critiquing manuscripts on a regular basis, the critic takes over. Really, it is hard to enjoy a book or a movie when your own inner critic is noticing all of the ways that it might be improved. But there is much more that occurs. I have known writers who carry their critiques into every facet of life—so that they are constantly critiquing their spouse, their children, their churches, government officials, neighbors, and so on, to the point that the critic becomes miserable and lonely.
4. You might become “hypercritical” if you find that you can no longer enjoy even excellent stories, when you look at those that have won literary awards or gained huge popularity and you stand around scratching your head asking, “What in the world?” Seriously, when you notice that something is gaining great buzz, take a close look at it and figure out why. It still might not be a piece of work that engages you, but there is always a reason.

Personally, I believe that anyone who wants to be an artist needs to develop some great literary sensibilities. But just remember, you should be able to pull back once in a while, enjoy your spouse with all of his or her foibles, forgive others of their inadequacies, and keep on enjoying your own writing as you work toward greatness.