Comments on: Your Perfect Critique Partner

By: dholcomb1

dholcomb1 — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 05:18:28 +0000

wonderful advice

denise

By: Julie Glover

Julie Glover — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 22:21:36 +0000

I love my main critique partner so much that if she tries to leave, I might go all Misery on her, lock her away somewhere, and force her to read my manuscripts and give me feedback. Or I'd at least withhold her wine until she did me a solid. I believe in the care and feeding of amazing crit partners too, holding up your end and making sure you continue to both encourage and challenge each other. Because once you find that person, or people, they really will be your best coaches, cheerleaders, and you-can't-get-away-with-writing-that-crap critics. I'm definitely a better writer now because of my "critter." So hats off to her (who should be reading this right now)!

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:08:05 +0000

But knowing the difference is the hardest part! When am I clinging to my (failed) vision, and when is the critter full of . . . critter-stuff? Killer decision. Sometimes I'll give it to friends who aren't my critters to be tie-breakers. Thanks, Sherry.

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:05:59 +0000

In reply to anngmesa. Yes, great point, ann. Always BOLO for new critters. You may be happy with your group, but when sh*t happens, it'll help you to know someone to ask.

By: Sherry Ficklin

Sherry Ficklin — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 20:08:43 +0000

Learning when and how to accept feedback is a huge part of being a writer. I think also, knowing when NOT to accept feedback can also be important. Finding a Crit partner or group who understands and enjoys your writing style is key! Great post!

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:39:37 +0000

In reply to Laura Drake. Hahahaha! That's quite a visual, Laura.

By: anngmesa

anngmesa — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:24:46 +0000

Hi Laura, I've been lucky with my critique partners and also lucky that I got over feeling sensitive about criticism long ago. After all, without criticism, we'll never improve. Keeping good critique partners is harder, because we all move on from whatever stage we were at when we began working together, so I'm always on the hunt for new ones.

By: disperser

disperser — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 09:02:57 +0000

In reply to Laura Drake. Heard of it? I documented it. Wrote a story based on true events. Unicorns are definitively evil. As for hurting, it's a funny thing. I get suspicious when I don't hear major ripping apart . . . makes me think they're taking pity on me.

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 08:40:42 +0000

In reply to disperser. Yeah, but they only use the horn for magic, desperser...I mean, have you ever heard of a unicorn goring? I think not. Absolutely. We need someone who'll dig deep. No matter how much it hurts.

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 08:39:02 +0000

In reply to eileendandashi. Yay Eileen! Don't wait any longer to get started...I so wish I'd have ignored my negative thoughts, and started writing years earlier than I did. You go!