I have been reading blogs of writer friends, and finding out about critiquing. Author Emily Bryan has offered up some great advice about the subject on her blog. I have a mentor Louie Jerome, she is an online friend who has pushed me up the writing ladder, she has read the first few pages of Ripper My Love. Her positive response has kept me going and she will regret it when the MS lands in her inbox for critiquing.
When I am ready I will put out a plea for a couple of online buddies who will be happy to read it through, and give their honest opinion. There will be no reward other than a good laugh at my effort. Knowing the writing friends I have made, I am positive I will get at least one offer. Now, what will I want from them?
Honesty?
You betcha...If my butt looks big, DH can be the one who says no dear it is okay. I will need honest opinions from my critique buddies, I will have to accept that my butt is HUGE if they say it is.
Will I cope with what they say?
I will have to, I want to be taken seriously as a writer. I realise this now, I am not just dabbling and playing with words. I want them to notice the mistakes, I knead...need them to be write...right and I need the flow of the scenes to blend. I am not writing poetry or short stories, this is a biggie, 80,000 words of mine sit on file. Will they be worth sending out to an agent? I will need to tweak and tease before I do. If only DH and the dogs are my only audience before submission, I will not have truthful opinions, I will have loving responses.
I cannot afford editors and proofreaders. I have read where if I want to be taken seriously I should pay. I would love to but the euro and sterling are just not doing it for me, so I have to beg. My bowl will be out there with hope.
I have questions...
Do you critique in only one genre? Is it best to do so or is variety a good way to go?
Do you critique for another? Do you think they take on board what you say?
Do you listen to your critique partner or get upset with their response?
Do you think a critique partner is a good idea, or are you a go it alone writer?
I would love to read your comments and tips on this topic.
13 Comments:
I think having your work critiqued is soooooooo important. Best of luck!
Critique is important. It can be tough but it's essential.
For me, I use a critique group. Several other writers that I trust and respect. It took me awhile to find a good group, but they are my best asset.
Thanks for comments. I have just handed ms over to first critiquing friend. She will be honest, she is a book reviewer so might be a bit tougher to please as well.
You need to find partners you trust. That may mean you try out several groups or readers. I always found it best to keep quiet as my work was critiqued. Listen, don't argue or try to justify or explain. And work diligently on the work that you're critiquing for others. What goes around, comes around.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Thank you for your comment on my post at How Publishing Really Works, Glynis. I have been delighted by all the nice things people have said.
As for critiquing, something I have never done. I've reviewed (badly, I can't say anything bad) and had to sit and listen to others talking about my work when I did my MA, but I hate anyone seeing a tss until it goes off to the editor. I don't trust anybody else's opinion!
Helen, thank you I will take your advice. I have chosen that one person because she is an outspoken person. She is not one to fluff around the edges, and I need that at this point. I am not going to share it with many, as I do not know many people here in Cyprus who read English.
Lesley, how lovely to see you here, thanks for dropping by. As I said to Helen, this is the only one who will be blunt and honest. I may not take onboard what she has to say, but it will be interesting to see her opinion.
You should pick up a copy of Stephen King's - On Writing, it is an exceptionally good resource for fiction writers.
Hi Gringoperry, I have Fire in the Fiction by Donald Maass on its way. I will treat myself to SK one as well, thank for recommendation.
Q. Do critique in only one genre? Is it best to do so or is variety a good way to go?
A. If someone reads only horror and you write a romance, having the horror-reader read your romance may not work out so well - not that they couldn't give you a good opinion, it's just the two genres generally don't inspire the same kinds of thought or whatever. But, if you trust that person's instincts, let them read it!
Q. Do you critique for another? Do you think they take on board what you say?
A. I used to critique. Then for a while I edited novels for pay. Now I am asked so often to read writer's works, I've had to start saying no . . . which I hate, but for which I have no choice.
But when I critiqued, I always told them to keep an open mind to suggestion, but ultimately trust their own instincts when they felt strongly about something.
Q. Do you listen to your critique partner or get upset with their response?
A. I listen. I never get upset. I used to long back - because I didn't understand what they were saying since my own instincts weren't as sharp. Now that my instincts are better, I can sift through what they say to what I need to get out of the advice. But, no matter what the advice, I always stop and think about it...even if it seems stupid (laugh) because there may be a kernel of something in there that needs attention.
Q. Do you think a critique partner is a good idea, or are you a go it alone writer?
A. I don't let anyone see my novel until it is complete and has been through several rewrites - that way I'm not influenced or I'm not confused by too many other voices. Then, I let a couple of "cold readers" read it to see if the story and characters are okay.
Kat, thanks for re posting the questions, I found a typo in my post... *blush*.
Thanks for your answers, I found them useful, and have an idea of which way to go now.
Good luck on finding a good critic. I know from personal experience that it's very hard to critique anything. So many different things, including an authors feelings, can influence an opinion. That's why I'd be a terrible critic. I think of everything as good if I know a person even a little, no matter what.
Thanks Ratty, it is a difficult task, but honesty will help me I am sure...well I hope so.
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