Hoosier Ink: relationships

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

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

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

That's Relationship

While I know our next newsletter will give you the full report on ACFW Indiana’s August meeting, I want to share one take-away with you.

Relationships.

Our wonderful panel of Cara Putman, Sarah Forgrave, and Michele Israel Harper touched on the word “relationship” off and on throughout the energetic back-and-forth between members and guest speakers for over two hours. Apparently, no one wanted to go home!

1. Relationships between the writer and the readers.

One definition of success as an author is: “If we have touched one life, our efforts are worth it.”

“Touched.” That’s relationship. Maybe the reader sends a note of appreciation. Wonderful! Encouragement for the writer! Or, we may never connect personally, but our words deeply affected the reader.

2. Relationship between the writer and the agent/editor.

“Mine the passion.”

That’s where the relationship starts—in the first interview or query. Even earlier. Writers can always send out a feeler to a prospective agent/editor if they expect to meet with them one-on-one at a conference. When we put our hearts into describing our work, the agent or editor can tell, and it gives them goosebumps.

“Have fun with pitching.”

Consider every pitch session as a practice run. That attitude will help the writer de-stress, and once they’re relaxed, the agent/editor can get a sense of who he or she is as a person. They will find connection. And that’s relationship.

Once a writer has a contract, either with a publisher or an agent, the business relationship begins. The spark that brought both sides together needs to build. The agent will be diligent to promote the author’s work. The writer will make sure to follow through with deadlines. The publisher will provide the necessary expertise in creating and directing a marketing plan. Each successful communication strengthens the ties among professionals.

3. Relationships between writers.

Meetings like ours on August 11th drive the point home. Old friends reconnect. New friendships are forged. Writers learn from other writers. Established authors share their expertise with budding authors. The energy in the room can power the electrical grid in three states!

4. Relationship between writer and God.

God called you to write. Right? The relationship between God and you—His child—is vital. He has the long-term perspective. He knows your writing road. He knows the detours and the rest stops and the final destination of your manuscript. Trust Him. That’s relationship.