How to Give Useful Writing Critiques

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One of my favorite things about See Jane Write is our monthly, members-only writing critique sessions. At these gatherings members bring a piece of writing of 500 words or less to be read and revised by other ladies of See Jane Write. These sessions have helped some members complete entire first drafts of books and these sessions have been the beginnings of beautiful friendships.

If you’d like to host a critique session of your own, here are a few tips on how to give useful writing critiques.

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Poet Ashley M. Jones discusses her debut book “Magic City Gospel”

ashley-jones
Photo by Jennifer Jones

When Birmingham-bred poet Ashley Jones was in graduate school at Florida International University, she made a promise to herself: She promised herself that she would produce a book of poetry by the end of her MFA program. Jones kept her promise and on Friday, December 2 she will host a reading, book signing and early release party for her debut collection Magic City Gospel. The poems in the collection, which officially releases in January, are largely inspired by Jones’ experiences as a black girl and woman in the South. This special early release event will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, December 2 at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in downtown Birmingham.

Jones burst onto the poetry scene last year winning the prestigious Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s Award (a national literary award only given to six women each year that includes a grant for $30,000). Last year Jones also returned to Birmingham to teach creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) and this year began teaching at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) as well.

But Jones believes poetry should be in the community and not just the classroom. She recently helped produce the 100,000 Poets for Change in Birmingham event to raise money for the Smithfield-Dynamite Hill Community Land Trust, which works to keep the Smithfield Community in the ownership of its residents and fight against gentrification. She’s also coordinator of The Nitty Gritty Magic City Reading Series. The brainchild of Alabama poets Katherine Webb and Daniel DeVaughn, NGMC seeks to create a unique literary space in Birmingham where people can tell their stories through their art.

In a candid conversation, Jones discusses Magic City Gospel, her writing practice, writing as a form of activism and more.

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Gift Ideas for Women Who Write and Blog

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Whether you’re looking for a gift for your blogging buddy or writing critique partner or just shopping for yourself, here is a list of holiday gift ideas compiled with women writers and lady bloggers in mind. And feel free to send this to anyone shopping for you this holiday season so you won’t get another ugly Christmas sweater or giant can of popcorn.

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365 Blog Post Ideas and Writing Prompts

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Writers write. Period. But sometimes we get so caught up in personal brand building, social media marketing, and blog monetization campaigns that we start to neglect our first love.

One way to fan the flames of your romance with writing is to write every day. Here’s a list of 365 blog post ideas and writing prompts to keep you inspired every day of the year.

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