At some point in your writing career, you should seek feedback on your work. Sure, your mom can look it over. Your best friend can read your new novel.

But if you want honest criticism, one of the best sources for critiques is from your peers.

The biggest challenges most writers face when seeking feedback is the act of handing over their work to a group of strangers. But if you follow a few simple rules, you'll find critique groups offer an invaluable service.

Selecting a Critique Group
Critique Groups come in all shapes and sizes. Some are free. Others charge fees. Some meet in person. Others are held online or through regular mail.

Choose a critique group that's right for you. Many groups will allow you to sit in on or monitor a session without committing to joining. This will allow you to evaluate the way the group works.

Most free critique groups allow you the opportunity to join or leave as you please. This can be especially helpful if the focus of the group changes - or even your own writing style changes and you'd like to seek a more specialized setting.

Joining the Group
You don't have to be writer #1544850. Introduce yourself to the group and get to know your fellow members.

This helps break down the barriers that often prevent writers from sharing their work with critical eyes. Once you've introduced yourself and people have had a chance to welcome you, you'll feel more relaxed and know that there aren't a bunch of red pencils waiting to pick apart your work. These are real people, just like yourself, who share their work as well.

Critiques Can Be Wrong
One of the most important factors you must consider is that critiques can be wrong. Even professional editors aren't always right.

Always remember, a critique is an opinion. You should take each critique seriously and see if you can apply it to your work.

If you think it's totally off the mark, move on. Even ask the group about the person's comments. Don't be shy. You're not in the group to make friends. You're here to further your writing career.

I Like It But...
Someone said they like your work. Great!

Then they start to get into a more solid critique. Don't automatically tune out everything after the but.

Most inner critics are very protective. If you don't get him/her to be quiet, you'll walk away from any critique group with a bad experience.

It's called a critique group for a reason. If the group was just in place to give you glowing reviews, it would be called the "Happy-Fawning-All-Over-Your-Work Group."

Get...But Do Give
Don't expect to walk into a group and ask for critiques for your four short stories, new novel, work-in-progress and 18 poems. Give and get. It's the beauty of critique groups.

You're a member of the group now. Respect your fellow writers. Give feedback for the work other writers have posted.

I Don't Know How to Give Feedback
Sure you do. Just as you can spot weak points in your own work, you can also spot weak points in other people's work.

More importantly, though, by reading work from other writers, you can help develop an eye for what works and what doesn't. Developing that eye will help you in your own writing and strengthen your work along the way.

Constructive is the Key
Someone says they hate your work. And that's it. That's hardly feedback and it's certainly not constructive.

Most critique groups really frown on this type of comment and simply won't allow it. This could even result in this member being expelled from the group.

If this happens to you, shrug it off and let it go. Report it to the person(s) in charge. They'll want to know.

This situation hardly ever happens. But it's important to know what to do if it does. Comments like that can destroy a writer's confidence. And that's not what critique groups are for.

Positive and Negatives
On that constructive note, when giving feedback on another's work, why not point out both the positives and the negatives? If the plot line is strong, say so. If the characters need work, let the writer know.

Giving the good with the less-than-good together, can do worlds of wonder for a struggling writer - no matter what their level of experience.

Whether you're just starting out or you have a few novels under your belt, critique groups can help you get a fresh perspective on your writing. If you're ready to gain a new appreciation for the writing process and network with your fellow writers, then give critique groups a shot. You'll be glad you did.

Apryl Duncan is the founder of FictionAddiction.NET. She's also an author, freelance writer and workshop instructor with more than 15 years experience writing professionally. Her work has been published worldwide and has been translated into nine different languages.