I’m having some excellent learning experiences in a writing critique group. I am lucky in that the two guys I’m doing this with are both a) brutally honest and b) not idiots. In fact if you wanted good qualifications for a critique group, I’d recommend that criteria.

I’m starting to get a little concerned. So far, I’ve consistently received comments about the lack of realism in my character’s mix of interior monologue and ongoing dialog. You know, “Would he really have or take the time to make that comment to himself?” I’m worried that it might mean I spend too much time cracking wise in my head and not enough time actually listening to what’s being said to me. If true, not only does it make me self obsessed, it makes me a really terrible listener.

I’m learning how to fix my writing. I guess what I’m trying to figure out is, is it possible to learn about your own character flaws from having your writing critiqued? It appears that the answer, at least for me, is possibly. So, if you’re talking with me and I appear to be listening harder, I’m not trying to weird you out. I’m just trying to quiet the bad jokes in my head.