The Gracious Critique Partnership by Guest Lynne Marshall

The scariest part for most authors once they’ve completed a manuscript is letting someone else read the book.  It is a huge step, and we must take it in order to improve our stories. 

My Critique Group Background

When I first joined RWA and my local chapter in 2002, they didn’t have a chapter critique group.  I knew I needed feedback on my book and asked around if anyone else was interested in starting up a group.  One woman took the initiative to spearhead a critique group and another offered her house once a month on Sunday afternoons.  Now I had to put my precious baby novel where my mouth was and sign on.

Taking that first step opened the door for a wealth of information and learning.  There were a dozen of us who showed up month after month, and it was a long and tedious process.  In order to participate, each person had to submit twenty-five pages and be willing to read everyone else’s submission.  That was a lot of reading/critiquing to do, and many of the other people were like me having never been in a CG before.  The results were a mixed bag, some comments were useful, some lame, some insightful, others off the mark, and still others were really picayune.  As time went on a handful of us regulars noticed each other as being dependable, courteous, thoughtful and thorough.  We singled each other out and splintered off into our own critique group.

That year-and-a-half with the Fabulous Fictionists (Yes, we gave ourselves a silly name) was a joy.  All serious writers at various levels and abilities, we critiqued honestly with respect, watching how we phrased our comments, being tactful rather than wielding a sword.  The beauty was we all learned from each other and grew to be better writers.  All five of us are now published, and unfortunately, our group critique sessions are long gone due to some moving away and time constraints for others.

My personal critique journey has narrowed down to one single CP.  We met in another small group that could get rather intense, and found our personality styles meshed well.  She writes big stories with a lot of sex.  I don’t.  I write category length at the sensual level.  What genre you write shouldn’t impact your compatibility as CPs because it’s about the writing.  We both respect and value the other’s writing expertise and our books are always better as a result.

Things to Disregard 

Abusive critique partners are unacceptable. Lose them.  Now.  Always put unnecessarily cruel comments aside, if the CP can’t figure out how to make the point without being rude, they cannot be trusted.  Hostile or unkind remarks are uncalled for, even if you’ve written a story that needs a lot of work.  A little tact goes a long way in critiquing. Using the HALT method might be the key for best CG results: Don’t critique or read a critique when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired. 

If a CP plays the role of expert and contradicts your facts, gently remind them you’ve done your research (I’m assuming you have) 

What to Take to Heart
 
Consistent comments from more than one CP means you need to take a look at the problem and fix it. 

An honest critique is a learning tool for your writing, not a judgment of who you are as a person. Put your personal insecurities aside and focus on the writing tips and suggestions.  Critique comments should be given with your improvement in mind. Learn from them.  It is important to grow thicker skin in order to improve in a critique group setting. When critiquing, though, like the old song says – accentuate the positive!

On-line critiquing
 
Due to today’s busy schedules, many people turn to on-line critiquing.  This works for long-distance CPs, or in my case, two super busy ladies who can’t find time to meet regularly at Starbucks.  The best way to approach the long-distance critiquing unit is to put on the tracking device and insert your comments as you read.  Consider reading the submission twice and only inserting your thoughts on the second go-round.  Agree on a set number of pages you’re both willing to critique at any given time and stick with it.  Give your word about how soon you will get the critique back to the other person and keep it.

E-mails are easy to misunderstand and to read into. It takes a bit more care to communicate thoughtfully, always keeping the other person’s feelings in mind.  I suggest you re-read what you’ve written and think about reading the same words for one of your own submissions.  If anything strikes you a “pingy or slammy” fix it, in other words, re-write the negative.

When Things Don’t Work Out

We live in a complicated world, often the best laid plans don’t work out.  If your CP isn’t keeping her end of the bargain and it’s preventing you from making progress in your book, it might be time to end the relationship. Be honest but not to a fault.  Many people have life issues that interfere, and we never know the whole story behind the change in diligence and consideration, so be kind but firm.  However, there is no point in continuing an unsatisfactory critiquing relationship.

Recap on the Gracious Critique Partnership Qualities:

Critiques that are: Dependable, courteous, thoughtful, thorough, diligent and considerate.

Critiques are given: Honestly, respectfully, tactfully.  

CPs who are: Compatible (It isn’t necessary to be friends or to write in the same genre) and who value each other as writers.

Put aside: Personal insecurities.

Focus on:  The writing. Accentuate the positive. Re-write the negative (comments)

The CP covenant:  Promise to critique a set number of pages a week/mo, and keep it.

Are you in a critique group?  Do you have any tips you’d like to share?  If you’re not in a critique group, what keeps you from joining one? Has this blog made you change your mind?



Lynne Marshall is a multi-published author of twenty contemporary romances for Harlequin in both Special Edition and Medical Romance lines, and also in single titles with The Wild Rose Press. She is also venturing into Indie publishing with One for the Road due out this fall. 

She lives in Southern California with her husband of many years, and is the proud mother of two adult children. She is a dog lover, a cat admirer, a woman of faith, a curious tourist, and is known to take long, meandering walks, especially when it’s a beautiful day. 

The second book in the Grady family duet, The Medic’s Homecoming, is a July 2013 Harlequin Special Edition. 

Making the Surgeon Smile was book #7 in the NYC Angels Medical Romance continuity in June 2013.  Watch for the upcoming 200 Harley Street 2014 Medical Romance continuity in which she also takes part.

You can connect with Lynne Marshall on the Web:

Website Facebook  Friend her!

Back of the book blurb for The Medic’s Homecoming:

Lucas Grady never planned to return to Whispering Oaks.  But when family duty called, the prodigal son arrived like the good soldier he’d been for years.  And with him came the unfulfilled expectations of the past—expectations his neighbor, Jocelyn Howard, knew all to well.

Jocelyn had been in love with the rebel next door since she was a little girl.  But she couldn’t shake those old insecurities that she’d never be good enough, for Lucas or for anyone else.  Still, the newly discharged Army medic had scars that could never be truly healed—or so he thought.  Maybe together, they could mend their wounds…and make each other whole again…

Today Lynne will be giving away the first book in this Special Edition duet - Courting His Favorite Nurse to one commenter. 

Winner announced in the Weekend Edition. 

Additionally, Seekerville recently helped match up a few critique groups. Let us know how that's going in the comments and Seekerville will give away a surprise package to each member of your group. Or if you already in a group, share why it works to have your group entered.

Revisions and the Author by Lynne Marshall

Many writers are under the incorrect impression that the hardest hurdle in this business is writing the book. Yes, it is a major accomplishment that only a small percentage of people can claim, and you should be proud if you are one of them, but that’s just the first step along the winding path to publication.

Let’s start here:

You've completed your manuscript.  You've fine tuned the character's external and internal motivations.  You've examined and re-examined the conflict between the characters - making sure it gets more personal throughout the story.  You've addressed the character growth for both hero and heroine, and maintained the proper romantic tension for the various stages of the book.  There is conflict on every page, and you’ve planted a question for the readers in each scene.

The black moment comes at the right time and makes the reader feel all is lost, that there is no way this couple will ever get back together.  You've written enough chapter ending hooks to keep the reader turning pages, and you've made sure your scenes transition well using goal, conflict and disaster in the active scenes and reaction, dilemma, decision for the sequels. 
You've checked and rechecked your character point of view, avoided head hopping, and used POV to reveal important thoughts to the reader. There is a good balance between action and narrative. Your story timeline is in order. Your writing flows smoothly, you've deep edited and re-read the entire manuscript, and read all dialogue out loud to catch awkward sentences. (It doesn't hurt to read the entire manuscript out loud for the same reason.) 

You've resolved both the characters' growth arcs and the plot's loose ends.  You've written the happily ever after (for romance) and/or a satisfying, hopeful ending for all other works.  (i.e. solved the mystery or murder, saved the world, or whatever you've set out to do)
Most importantly, you've submitted your book to a publisher or editor and someone is interested in it!!!!

The Revision Letter: 

(This letter can be a single page or a dozen, it all depends on the book and the editor)

The revision process can make or break the sale.  I’ve heard horror story after horror story from authors who have gone through three to five rounds of revisions, working closely with an interested editor, only to finally be rejected.  Hitting the right tone with the revision requests is paramount to making the book sellable, and unfortunately, there is no formula for success.  It all comes down to intuition, fearlessness in changing up your story, and a talent for fixing things and making them better.

Note to the wise:  Editors are paid professionals and they tend to know what they are doing.  Something that doesn’t at first seem to make your book better in their revision suggestions, on second look may be the key to opening up your story and bringing it to a new level.  Consider their requests with an open mind. 

    How often I’ve heard of authors who have received revision letters and assume them to be rejections, or, worse yet, refuse to change their books, or don’t have a clue how to change their books to the editor’s requests.  This ensures failure and rejection.

In my experience your editor will begin the letter saying something positive about your book – “this was the greatest book I’ve ever read!” (That’s a fantasy of mine,  and it hasn’t happened yet) or “I absolutely loved it!” or “These characters have so many possibilities!”  

Beware of the term possibilities.  This always means you haven’t met them and you will need to achieve them via revisions.

After the glowing opening phrase, the next sentence will tell you all the ways to make that wonderful book better.  Always be prepared for the BUT, as in “I love this book but…”   

That but is usually followed by “but we do have a few revision suggestions for you” and those suggestions are to make sure that you are wringing as much emotion as possible out of your story. (Especially if you write category romance)  You will be asked to make some scenes more “heart-wrenching” and others more serious as in “Keep an eye on light-hearted moments that sometimes come at a time when it feels a little inappropriate.” (This sentence appeared in one of my revision letters.)

Translation:  Knock off the smart aleck humor, would you? Possible second translation: We’re not looking for snappy repartee in this category line. 

You might be told your hero and heroine’s bickering “should be cut back a bit” as in it is annoying as all get out, and to turn the bickering into real sexual tension.  You’ll read words like “unsympathetic” which means your hero is too Alpha, your heroine is too dense, or your characters are showing signs of being too realistic for fiction which promises escapism to the readers. You may also see the term “off putting” and should know that means you’ve gone down the politically incorrect path.  You get the idea. 

CAUTION:  Do not feel compelled to work on the revisions for at least twenty-four hours after you’ve first received them.  Give yourself this grace period to regroup and allow your brain to subliminally begin work on the revision process.  I like to sleep on revisions (not literally) and allow my subconscious to figure out some of the solutions.  The technique is called lucid dreaming – we can control our dreams.

         Once I’ve recovered from the initial shock of the often multi-paged letter, I re-read the requests and focus in more, then I highlight with a yellow marker the main areas that jump out at me.  This can turn a several-page document into a single page of “to-dos” numbered 1-15.  The single page of core revisions seems far more manageable and less overwhelming to this writer.

Each editor has a distinctly different style and personality, and it’s up to you, the author, to figure it out and deal with it.  File this under that bit where I strongly urge the author to BE FLEXIBLE!!!!

Kathleen Scheibling, editor, Harlequin American Romance, RWR article November 2008:  "Revision letters are important.  It means something in your writing and your story stands out.  We remember the manuscripts, and we're waiting to see them come back."  Ms. Scheibling assured this important point:  If an editor takes time to write you a letter, either suggesting changes or offering to look at a different project, they're not just being nice!!!!!

REMEMBER:  It’s all in the attitude.  Don’t beat yourself up for not writing a flawless novel.  Be grateful that an editor or agent sees the book’s possibilities.  Keep an open mind and be flexible when approaching the changes requested.  Then get out your hacksaw and don’t be afraid to draw some blood from your pages!

The following is an excellent resource on what the editor expects from a Revise and Resubmit by Angela James.  Go Here
 
My sincere hope for each and every aspiring author reading this blog is that you may find a two to three page revision letter in your mailbox in the very near future.  Then get out that hacksaw and make that story bleed…to perfection.

This is a huge topic to cover, and unfortunately I've only scratched the surface, but I'll be around today.  I am happy to the best of my ability to answer any questions you may have regarding revisions. 
 

 

Lynne Marshall www.lynnemarshall.com is a multi-published author for Harlequin Special Edition and Medical Romance lines.  She also writes single title length for Wild Rose Press.  Her current release is Too Close for Comfort, a second chance at romance, over-forty story is available on  Amazon.  For a fun book trailer of this story go here.
 
Watch for Lynne’s future books from Harlequin: NYC Angels: Making the Surgeon Smile (Medical Romance) June 2013, The Medic’s Homecoming (Special Edition) July 2013.



Lynne will be giving away a print or e-book (the winner's choice) of either One for the Road (Single Title) or Courting His Favorite Nurse (Spec. Edition) or Dr. Tall, Dark...and Dangerous? (Medical Romance) her 2012 books to one commenter.


Winner announced in the Weekend Edition! 


(Please note that these are contemporary romances,  not inspirational romances, and may contain adult themes.)

Seekerville Welcomes Guest Lynne Marshall

Not Quite There Point of View Syndrome

Nailing POV is one of the toughest things I had to do as a writer, and I still occasionally get called out by my critique partner for messing up. The concept of a character being the “eyes” of the story is monumentally important. One false move and your reader will be thrown out of the story.

The tell-tale signs of Not Quite There Yet POV (from now on will be referred to as NQTY POV) are subtle, but once the reader is on to the error it bugs the heck out of them. I see this most frequently as a contest judge, but I’ve also seen it in published books. Evidently it isn’t a big deal to some editors, or it’s so subtle it slips under the radar.

What am I referring to with NQTY POV?

Everything is going great and then…

The POV character commits the sin of self-description.

There you have it, my pet peeve, and a true breech of POV. The authors, in their eagerness to get their character on paper, have the wrong person describe their physical characteristics.

• How many of us glance at our lap while eating lunch and think of our strong thighs? (Well, maybe someone who has spent years at a gym developing those muscles, and someone who might be a bit in love with themselves.)

• When we run our hand over our hair do we think what color it is or that it’s silky? (Perhaps if you just paid big bucks for a Brazilian blowout)

• Have you ever buttoned your blouse and thought what a great rack you have? (Katy Perry might, or someone who just had breast augmentation, but I’m talking about regular folks. Us!)

Admittedly Bad Example:

Calista stomped across the room in her pink pumps, furious at Giorgio. How could he be so inconsiderate? Gathering her nerve to chew him out, she ran her hands over her curvy hips then spun around and nailed him with her cornflower blue eyes.

Do you see what I’m saying? It doesn’t have to be this obvious, but little slip ups here and there are enough to make for a bumpy reading road. The last thing we want to do is make our books hard to read, right?

Solution:

When I read stories in contests that have sections like the above example, I suggest to the author that they wait and let the love interest describe the character. A description means more coming from the opposing character. They see things about the other person that the character themselves might not notice or value. Letting the love interest or antagonist physically describe the protagonist brings a whole new dimension to the story.

Let’s fix the above example in Calista’s POV.

Calista stomped across the room, furious at Giorgio. How could he be so inconsiderate? Gathering her nerve to chew him out, she ran her hands over her skirt, then spun around and nailed him with a don’t-mess-with-me stare.

Now let’s give Giorgio a shot:

Calista stomped across the room almost losing her cute little pink pumps. Did she have a clue how sexy she was when she was angry? Giorgio knew she was furious with him, he’d let her down again, but if she’d give him a chance to explain…

She ran her hands over her hips, taunting him with those curves. The gesture sidetracked him. In the middle of imagining caressing every delectable inch of her body, she spun around, nailing him with her best attempt at an intense stare. How was he supposed to take those baby blue eyes seriously?

I hope I’ve helped someone somewhere have a lights-on moment regarding NQTY POV. Now repeat after me – I won’t let any of my characters describe themselves…I won’t let my characters describe themselves.

Lynne Marshall writes category romance for Harlequin Medical Romance and Special Edition. She also writes contemporary romance for The Wild Rose Press. Her next book for Harlequin Special Edition is Courting His Favorite Nurse, and is a March 2012 release.

You can connect with Lynne Marshall on her website, on Facebook here, or her blog.
(And check out Lynne's terrific FREE READS!)

COURTING HIS FAVORITE NURSE Harlequin Special Edition, March 2012 #2178, US

Anne Grady knew better than anyone that love was complicated. When she’d left her hometown, she thought she was leaving her past heartbreak behind for good, as well. But practically the moment she returned to care for her injured parents, she stumbled headlong into their confidant—her first love, Jack Lightfoot.

Jack had been unable to deny his feelings for Annie when he was a teenager dating her best friend, and he certainly couldn’t muffle the spark twisting between them now—even if memories of the past kept threatening to push them apart. This time Jack wasn’t going to let history repeat itself—he was going to show Annie that the two of them were meant to be much more than best friends!

Available:

Harlequin

Amazon

Amazon UK

B&N

Book Depository

Today Seekerville will be giving away an IOU for Lynne's upcoming release, Courting His Favorite Nurse which releases in March, and Lynne is giving away a copy of Candace Calvert's Disaster Status - an inspirational medical romance from Tyndale to one of our commenters. Two winners! Winners announced in the Weekend Edition.