That said, it didn't really work for me. In my original query to the group, I specifically asked if the story was sellable. Four people said no and three said yes. To make matters worse, some of the critiques directly contradicted each other. At least one person thought it should be expanded and two thought the story should be severely truncated.
Critique groups can be a mixed blessing.
If you think this barrage of opinions did anything to bolster my confidence, you are gravely mistaken. I saw valid points in every comment. I saw how the story was fine the way it was. I saw how it could be improved by lengthening it or shortening it. I realized how focusing it more finely might make it a better tale.