Do you work with critique partners? How did you find your crit pals, and what influence have they had on your work?
I absolutely work with crit partners and firmly believe that a good crit partner is worth their weight in gold. Not only can they point out the weak spots in your manuscript (because, believe me, they're there) but they can guide you in ways of fixing your weak points and help you become a stronger writer, overall. But this also works in the reverse, I'm afraid. I've also worked with some atrocious crit partners--people who got involved with crit groups just for the social aspects, people who cut you off mid-sentence to argue over every point you tried to make while critting them, people who lost their temper, and people who enjoyed cutting other people down because it was apparently an ego boost for them. Yeesh.
DO
- Look for people who write in the same genre. A horror author may not be the best sounding board for someone writing a historical romance. Look for crit partners who write and read the genre that you do.
- Get involved with people who "write for fun." There's nothing wrong with that. But if you're serious about getting published, then you're going to need crit partners who are serious about getting published. I've worked with several "writing for fun" crit partners in my early days and they either join crit groups for the social aspects or lose interest and quit after a couple of sessions.
- Realize that not all personality types are compatible. I used to be in a crit group with a highly defensive author who would lash out at all offered suggestions. The entire group spent half the meeting arguing instead of critting. Understand that, if something is not benefitting you, or if it's just not working out, it's okay to quit. Crit partners can be like spouses and it may take you awhile to find "the perfect match."
- Take a crit personally. The point of a critique is to point out your weaknesses so that you may grow from them and becom a better writer. But in the same turn, if a critique partner is being critical without offering ways for you to improve/grow, if there crit consists mostly of "I didn't like this," then it's time to look for a new partner.
- Look for crit partners in places like online writing websites, writing groups such as the SCBWI and RWA, and online meet-up sites. Remember, it's okay to try out a few crit partners or several! Personally, I have approximately ten people that I exchange work with on a regular basis. And each of them is unique and valuable in the advice that they offer me.
Have a great Thursday.
I can't imagine having a negative experience with CPs, but I have heard several horror stories. I have no idea how I got so lucky.
ReplyDeleteI've had a few partners leave groups, but it was always amicable.
Learning how to accept criticism is as important as finding the right crit partners! Yes, it's natural to want to defend your own work, but you'll never learn if you shut yourself off psychologically from your crit partners.
ReplyDeleteI got lucky both online and in a monthly crit group, which I found online through SCBWI. I love the face to face interaction with my writing group and the sharing of ideas, and my online partners give me valuable feedback anytime I email them! I met all of my online critters through QueryTracker.net. We all have different styles of critting, some more serious than others, some more positive than others, but every single comment from them only makes my writing better, so I love them all!
ReplyDeleteA solid group of crit partners is a must. It's important to work with people who know your writing style, voice, and characters. I've had the same crit partners for almost 3 years. They're invaluable. I'm a better writer because of them.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Working with a CP who takes criticism badly just won't work. And sugar-coating the problem isn't going to help their writing.
ReplyDeleteYour second to last point is the most important I think. While our writing is personal, we absolutely cannot take the critique personally. That IMHO is the most damaging thing a writer can do to themselves. You're better off just remembering it's an opinion and take what positive things you can from it. Of course, I don't have crit partners yet so I don't know how qualified my "opinion" is LOL.
ReplyDeleteI've definitely had some CP relationships that were not as ...IDK...helpful, I guess. Great post and welcome back!
ReplyDeleteTerrific do's and don'ts list! I had some terrible crit partners too and can relate to this!
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