Sitting here on the patio, I was debating what to write and read Pam's post for yesterday and it brought to mind the importance of teamwork. We have talked about the importance of getting feedback from judges and how that helps us grow. Another important source for feedback are critique partners. (especially if they're picky like a certain redhead tyrant we know--and love) A critique partner is a person who will take the time to read through a whole manuscript and point out that in chapter one the heroine had blue eyes and by chapter ten she has brown eyes. They can see the sagging middles and make sure you tied up your loose ends. Contests are great barometers for writing skill and voice, but lets face it, they usually are only judging the first ten to thirty pages. What about the rest of the manuscript????
Critique partners should be trusted friends or cohorts in the writing process who are not afraid to "tell it like it is". That is why your mother is not your best critique partner. At least my mother wasn't because she thought everything I did was perfect. Bless her. But you need a partner who is honest, who has an eye for the craft of writing and who is dependable. In return, you need to reciprocate with the same qualities.
The dependable part is crucial. If you receive a chapter and work hard on his/her chapter, you expect your partner to do the same in an agreed amount of time. Some writers are faster at getting a chapter done than others so it helps to find someone who keeps the same pace as you. Some writers are great at seeing plot problems, others at seeing defects in character. It helps to find more than one partner so you get better coverage. Be upfront about what your strengths are so that your partners know what to expect from you.
How do you find these miracle working partners? Join local writing groups. Join ACFW or RWA. They have critique programs you can look into. Take an online writing class and if you see someone asking the same questions you are, email them and ask about critiquing. Pray.
Never underestimate that option. You would be surprised at the people God places in your path.
If nothing else, the critiquing process will toughen you up for that inevitable encounter with an editor. Hooray! We want to be prepared. We want to be flexible. We want to understand when they ask for changes. If you've been working with critique partners, this will all be a piece of cake. yum
This is Carole Frankel, one of my critique partners who co-wrote this book with me. GOD'S SPIRIT WITHIN ME. I use my maiden name Sandy Wardman for my children's books. Carole did all the photography also.
Sandra, this is so true! It is often a partnership! I used to be part of a critique group of 4 that met weekly. We now send things online on occasion. I also critiqued with Tina at one time (but that was during one of my not-very-productive phases so I didn't have much to send very often!). And now I critique with one of the 4 out of our group, Lindi Peterson. She reads everything before it goes to my editor (thank you, Lindi!). We also brainstorm together.
ReplyDeleteMissy
That's great Missy. I know that having someone look at your work before you send it to your editor is a definite plus. Having a critique partner to brainstorm with is also a plus. It's amazing how ideas blossom with more than one brain picking at the pieces.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Sandra! I give my critique partner Shirley Jump credit for developing my skills as a writer. Sure I read 'How To' books. I took online classes and attended workshops. But that doesn't mean I remembered to do what I'd learned. My cp gives me something I can't give myself--fresh eyes, strengths that augment mine, and accountability. Can you imagine what you'd have to pay for that?
ReplyDeleteSssh. Don't tell Shirley I said that or she might send me a bill. :-)
ReplyDeleteSandra said: Some writers are faster at getting a chapter done than others so it helps to find someone who keeps the same pace as you.
ReplyDeleteThis is my problem, Sandra. I have NO pace. I wrote … hmmm … about 2000 words in 2007 (ya think I’m kidding?), and have written 10K in the last week. What kind of critique partner would put up with that?
I’m afraid to commit to a CP relationship again, not because of any past partner’s failings or lack of doing a good job, but my own.
I’ve gotta run…nursing home visit, so later tonight or tomorrow I want to find lots of suggestions on how I can find the perfect couple of partners for someone whose writing schedule and ideas are as spastic as mine.
Janet, Sounds like you have a gem with Shirley. You're right about them being priceless. I won't tell if you won't. smile
ReplyDeleteYour comment on accountability is key. I forgot to mention that, but when you know you have to have something to give your cp next week, you get down to writing it. When you are working on your own, it is too easy to find excuses to put off until tomorrow and before you know it the tomorrow's have added up to weeks and months.
Pam, You really are unique, but if you are up front with your writing style I bet you will be able to find someone out there who will manage it. The key is to be upfront and say--hey I may not have anything for awhile and then I may have tons. Some cp's are fast readers and like the continuity of a bigger piece of work all in one chunk.
ReplyDeleteAnother option is to write the big chunk of work and then send it out one chapter at a time and revise it at the slower pace. Your critique partner doesn't need to know when you wrote it. smile
Fellow Bloggers, I just found out my post arrived late. I actually wrote it yesterday and had it scheduled to post at 5:00 AM this morning. However, due to my lack of computer know-how, I hit the save button instead of the publish and it didn't post. Someone came to my rescue and hit the correct key. THANK YOU. And bless you.
ReplyDeleteI think you are really fortunate when you can find someone who gets your writing. I don't have a critique partner, but on occasion, when I am desperate for a cold read and I beg loudly and whine Mary, Ruth, Glynna or Gina will read for me. I am very grateful.
ReplyDeleteMy sister will also read for chocolate.
Great Post! So true that everyone sees different stuff. And I definitely have to agree that RWA and ACFW are wonderful places to find some crit groups.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sandra, this post strikes a chord with me big time. I have not had a critque partner for over two years now, and to be honest with you, it has me worried. I think every writer needs a trusted friend who will tell them the truth and provide feedback. I hope to get back to that one of these days, God willing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Julie
I'm embarrassed to tell you how many critique groups I'm in. Four. But the critters in two of those groups rarely ever send me anything to critique, and so I rarely send them anything, either. My other two groups are online groups of around 15 people each. The deal is that you have to critique two or three chapters for other people for every chapter that you upload for them to critique. It actually works out about even.
ReplyDeleteI was with my critique group all afternoon -- we meet for lunch at a local Panera's and spend about four to five hours talking books, craft, critiquing and brainstorming. The upside is that I always learn something when I critique someone else's work. Either I see how they solved a plot problem or perhaps I find I'm not the only one struggling to learn a new technique. When we discuss how to overcome the problems, we all become stronger writers.
ReplyDeleteTina, You are blessed to have a sister who crits for you. I've met her and she is a gem. We are all blessed with the Seekers to have friends who will go over our manuscripts with a call out for help and/or chocolate. What would we do without chocolate?????
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us Jessica. I'm glad you're taking advantage of all that the RWA and ACFW offer. Our local RWA group (Desert Rose) offers a screaming deal. For $10.00 you can submit a synopsis and three chapters and it will be critiqued by a published author from our group. Other local chapters might be doing similar things.
ReplyDeleteJulie, With your strong faith, I trust you will find whom you need when you have the need. smile
ReplyDeleteMelanie-Go Girl. Four groups. You're lucky two groups don't send much. Once I got into so many groups I spent all my time critiquing and never had time to write. That had to end, but actually I learned so much from all of them it was hard to cut back. But part of the writing process is learning to manage your time so I'm sure you've figured it out.
ReplyDeleteDid you get my congrats the other day? So happy for you.
Melanie-Go Girl. Four groups. You're lucky two groups don't send much. Once I got into so many groups I spent all my time critiquing and never had time to write. That had to end, but actually I learned so much from all of them it was hard to cut back. But part of the writing process is learning to manage your time so I'm sure you've figured it out.
ReplyDeleteDid you get my congrats the other day? So happy for you.
Debby, Great point. We do learn from critiquing others. I can see problems with show and tell in other writing and never see it in my own. What's with that???? I think we get too close to our own writing. We have in our head what we want to say and don't realize it isn't on the paper. But when we critique others and learn how to look for those problems, it helps us to find them in our own work.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the double post above. As I said earlier I'm no techno wiz. smile
Hey, hey, hey!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not picky!
Just somewhat particular in my editing process.
;)
Sandra, sorry I wasn't on board yesterday to play with you. Nice post and it takes us back to the kindergarten, playing in the sandbox thing. Playing nice together is huge until you have an editor watching your back, and honesty is a big part of that relationship.
And since Sandra jumped on board with me back in the day, helping me, smacking me (don't let the little smiles fool you, Sandy's tough enough to whip even a sorry old goat like me into shape) and encouraging me, I've learned to step outside my writing and view it with a more honest, critical air. That's a big help right there.
Good job, Sandra, and I love the children's books. My little ones love them too. God's blessed you with an abundance of talent, my friend.
Ruthy (who isn't REALLY a tyrant, but a victim of one of those common misperceptions that ramble on like a good game of gossip)