Journey With a Critique Partner

 

Last month I shared how critique groups allow for more eyes on your work. This month, let’s go a little deeper.

 

Find a Critique Partner

 

He may be one member of your critique group or someone different, but the person should be aware, as a writer, what a manuscript needs. A friend who loves to read is rarely a good critique partner. That person needs to be your beta reader. (Stay tuned for next month.)

A critique partner is willing to read the same chapter over and over, and as her critique partner, you’re willing to do the same when she submits and resubmits and resubmits again.

 

Together, You Will:

 

1. perfect the prose.

Just when you think you’ve finally got it right, your partner will see “it” differently. “Yes you’ve improved the word picture—I can see it all much better—but the sentence structure is awkward.” Keep working.

You both gain an education in grammar and editing on this journey. From macro-editing the big picture to micro-editing.

• Line edits.
• Copy edits.
• Proofreading.
• Is the voice consistent? 
• How are you doing with sensory details? 
• Are your main character’s goals clear to the reader?
• Do you remind the reader of those goals?
• Have you formatted the document correctly?
• Do you have a sagging middle? (The manuscript, not you!)

 The questions seem endless.

Critique partners don’t need to be experts in these skills, but the more they know and learn, the more valuable they will be.

 

2. encourage each other.

Especially when one of you is ready to toss the whole book into File Thirteen.

So, you received a rejection. A harsh review from a reader.

Who knows best how to cheer you up? Your spouse who thinks writing is a wonderful hobby for you? Your coworkers at your day job? Your critique group?

Or your critique partner who knows that rejected piece almost as well as you do?

 

Ask your partner, “What am I doing right?” She’ll give you an honest and uplifting answer.

And become her cheerleader, too. Praise her for what she does most effectively in her writing.

 

A Partnership Is a Relationship.

 

When we weave our words into glorious tales of  love and adventure, the most excellent stories involve strong relationships among the characters. Strong relationships anchor life, too. As we write, our plots and themes are pulled from life’s experiences with friends and family. With a critique partner, our best work comes to fruition because we forge strong bonds with another author. And we journey through the book together.

 

Linda Sammaritan writes realistic fiction, mostly for kids ages ten to fourteen. She is currently working on a middle grade trilogy, World Without Sound, based on her own experiences growing up with a deaf sister.

Linda had always figured she’d teach middle-graders until school authorities presented her with a retirement wheelchair at the overripe age of eighty-five. However, God changed those plans when He gave her a growing passion for writing fiction. In May of 2016, she blew goodbye kisses to her students and dedicated her work hours to learning the craft.

A wife, mother of three, grandmother to eight, Linda regales the youngest grandchildren with “Nona Stories,” tales of her childhood. Maybe one day those stories will be in picture books!

Where Linda can be found on the web:

www.lindasammaritan.com

www.facebook.com/lindasammaritan

www.twitter.com/LindaSammaritan

 

 

Critiques: A Fresh Set of Eyes, Part 1

 Those of us who have sustained a writing discipline soon realize we can’t see the forest for the trees. We just get too close to our work. We may feel a section isn’t quite right but all of our tinkering doesn’t relieve the sense of uneasiness..

We need CRITIQUE SUPPORT.

The first level of critique support is your mom or your best friend. NO! That’s not right! They are for emotional support! Let me begin again.

Your first level of critique support is a CRITIQUE GROUP. 

A critique group is an exercise in developing a tough hide, and in the process you will also make lifelong friends.

The leadership of ACFW Indiana has encouraged all of our members to seek out such a group. 

Rebecca Reed runs an online group within our chapter. 

My long-running local,  secular group has also gone online for the past fifteen months, which gives us the added advantage of including those who have moved away. 

Then there is Heartland Writers Group. They only meet once a month, but it’s an excellent place to dip your toes into the sometimes icy waters of criticism. I have found Heartland to be extraordinarily gentle and kind with new writers.

Several eyes on your work has advantages.

1. You can see multiple reader reactions in the space of a few minutes. If many mention the same gripe about a particular line of text or a plot point, you can be sure they’re correct. You need to fix it. That part you couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong? They will probably pinpoint the problem for you.

I have found this aspect of critique groups most helpful. Because of their laser focus, I’ve become aware of  my weaknesses and how to overcome them. I am much the better writer for it.

2.If only one person complains about a character or the story arc, etc. don’t worry about it. Their personal preference isn’t of value in a critique. It’s your story not theirs. Acknowledge their objection and move on.

Be careful with this one. If you’re like me, this kind of complaint can get under your skin—and yet the person is a single opinion versus all the rest!

In one meeting, I tired of the same guy always telling me he didn’t like my characters. It may not have been his intention, but I felt he implied I should change their personalities. I finally snapped at him. “My character is who she is whether you like her or not.” He hasn’t been back to the group since. I’ve always wondered: if I'd had more self-discipline, would he have remained with the group? I have learned to nod, take notes, and remain silent.

3. If half of the group points out something they dislike about an aspect of your submission, and the other half are convinced otherwise, lively discussion ensues.

“The character is too kind,” gripes one member of the group.

“No, no! Her actions and words fit her personality!”

“But is she realistic?”

“Absolutely! I’ve known people like this character.”

Perfect! You’ve created a passion in your readers. Keep it just the way it is. When such discussions occur over my work, I leave the meeting totally fulfilled! Meanwhile, I take notes on their comments just to review and see if I land on one side of the debate or the other.

If you don't already have one, I urge you to find a critique group.

Local, online, international. Find a group that you feel comfortable with. I guarantee you will grow--as a writer, an individual, a child of God!

 

Linda Sammaritan writes realistic fiction, mostly for kids ages ten to fourteen. She is currently working on a middle grade trilogy, World Without Sound, based on her own experiences growing up with a deaf sister.

Linda had always figured she’d teach middle-graders until school authorities presented her with a retirement wheelchair at the overripe age of eighty-five. However, God changed those plans when He gave her a growing passion for writing fiction. In May of 2016, she blew goodbye kisses to her students and dedicated her work hours to learning the craft.

A wife, mother of three, grandmother to eight, Linda regales the youngest grandchildren with “Nona Stories,” tales of her childhood. Maybe one day those stories will be in picture books!

Where Linda can be found on the web:

www.lindasammaritan.com

www.facebook.com/lindasammaritan

www.twitter.com/LindaSammaritan

 

 

The More We Get Together

I was supposed to be leading last Saturday's meeting.

The weather was atrocious, I had over an hour's drive and was responsible to bring one of the panelists with me. Through a series of unfortunate delays, we pulled into the parking lot little later than I'd wanted but just in time for the next downpour. Several members and other panelists had already arrived. This "fearless" leader was totally discombobulated!

But my wonderful vice-president had everything in hand. Thank you, Jenny! Members and guests comfortably chatted away while I rushed to organize for the business part of our meeting. By the time the meeting ended, I was as relaxed and cheerful as all of our gracious members! My stress was for nothing because I had forgotten what was most important--GETTING TOGETHER.

We ate lunch in this sweet little Italian place in Kokomo. We enjoyed getting acquainted with new members and reacquainted with people we hadn't seen for a while. We got to know the fearsome panelists who would soon be critiquing the first page of our work. And we found out they don't bite. In fact, they're delightful.

After lunch, the three panelists took their places at a separate table, each with a stack of submissions. I called it THE SLUSH PILE. Each page was read aloud (author anonymous), and then the panelists discussed the pros and cons using the manuscripts as teaching tools. Armed with a wonderful sense of humor, Tish Martin and Rose Tussing often went at it from opposite viewpoints.  Joan Shoup took on the role of referee. Their audience laughed and learned.

You know that old song, "The More We Get Together?" The tune hearkens back to the seventeenth century, and it became very popular again shortly before World War II. "The more we get together, the happier we'll be."

Simple lyrics. Simple truth.

Once all submissions had been read, we had enough time left for questions. Of course, we preferred to have an opportunity for one-on-one with the panelists to discuss improvements. So that's what we did. Joan, Tish, and Rose stayed at their table while the rest of us continued to enjoy each other's company, and individuals took turns speaking with the editors.

Tish and Rose also do freelance editing. See tishamartin.com or rebekahrblomenberg.com if you're interested in their services.

In August, we'll meet again on the north side of Indianapolis. See the upcoming event page. At that time, we'll have a panel of traditionally-published authors who will share on the topic of Proposals and Queries.

I hope we see the entire membership there because you know...the more we get together, the happier we'll be!

Linda Sammaritan writes realistic fiction, mostly for kids ages ten to fourteen. She is currently working on a middle grade trilogy, World Without Sound, based on her own experiences growing up with a deaf sister.

Linda had always figured she’d teach middle-graders until school authorities presented her with a retirement wheelchair at the overripe age of eighty-five. However, God changed those plans when He gave her a growing passion for writing fiction. In May of 2016, she blew goodbye kisses to her students and dedicated her work hours to learning the craft.

A wife, mother of three, grandmother to seven, Linda regales the youngest grandchildren with “Nona Stories,” tales of her childhood. Maybe one day those stories will be in picture books!

Where Linda can be found on the web:

www.lindasammaritan.com

www.scriblerians.com

www.thescriblerians.wordpress.com

www.facebook.com/lindasammaritan

www.twitter.com/LindaSammaritan