BREAKING NEWS: Speaking of the critique relationship, my fabulous CP, COURTNEY MILAN JUST WON THE HISTORICAL CATEGORY IN THE GOLDEN PEN! Congrats, Courtney! You rock!
Somehow, I wound up as the chairperson of critique groups for my local RWA chapter. And that has inspired me to blog about critique partners and groups. I believe that finding a good critique partner or group is essential to your writing health.
Although I've been blessed with the best critique partners in the universe, I've traveled a crooked path to find them. And even my two best friends and CPs and I have had our ups and downs. But that's inevitable when you communicate daily and are charged with the task of telling each other what you don't like about each other's stories.
The important thing to remember (in my humble opinion) is that there is no such thing as the perfect critique partner or group. If you're waiting for that, you'll be on your own a long time.
Here's my take on what is and is not important in a critique relationship:
Not Important:
1. Proximity- Dude, ever hear of the internet? Face time is great and provides a neat social outlet with your CPs, but in terms of efficiency and turn around time nothing--and I mean nothing--beats the internet. It's not uncommon for me to email my scene out at 2am and get it back critted at 2:20 am. Okay, maybe we are all insomniacs, but it works for us.
2. Writing in the same sub-genre. While both of my two primary critique partners write romance, they both currently write historical romance whereas I am writing contemporary. I haven't found this to be a problem at all. And I don't think it is an issue on their side either. On the other hand, I do think it is important that we all READ a variety of subgenres and also read outside the genre of romance.
3. Publication Status. It is inevitable that in a group of writers, people will reach different milestones at different times. In our group we are delighted to report that one of us (yes, you already know it's Tessa Dare) has just moved ahead with a 3 book deal with a New York house. This is GOOD THING. And we all get the benefit of learning and observing from this process. Maybe in your group there will be some of you who have agents and some who don't, some who've published and some who haven't. Neither of those issues really determines whether or not you are good critique matches.
Important:
1. Compatibility in the areas of productivity, turnaround time, and personality. If one person writes five times the amount of pages as the others, and requires rapid fire turn around, while another likes to critique five pages a week, you're headed for trouble. In our group, we prioritize each other's work. We let each other know when they can expect feedback, and then we deliver. If we don't need something right away, we let each other know that too. In general, we turn pages around quickly, despite the fact that we all have busy schedules. This is because we are all serious about our writing and about our relationship as critique partners and friends.
2. Style. Your critique styles have to mesh. In our group, we tend to have a Paula, Randy, and Simon assemblage, although there have been notable exceptions to this pattern. But the bottom line is that everyone is honest, and everyone respects each other's work and opinion.
3. Level of detail desired in critiques. Some people are looking for more of a proofreader than a critique partner. If one of you only wants feedback on typos and grammar and the other loves to tear apart story structure and big motivational issues, you're not a good fit. Ideally, from my point of view, a good critique partner serves both of these functions.
4. Degree of input sought. I've heard it said when you get feedback, just say "thanks" and be done with it. Never argue the point or defend your work. If this is a style everyone is comfortable with, it will work smoothly. In our group, however, we tend to discuss feedback in depth and yes (on occasion) argue and defend our positions. But this (usually) works well for us, because it allows us to come up with new and deeper understandings of our characters and plots.
5. Seek additional feedback. When the same people read the same pages, revision after revision, they may develop blind spots. It's extremely helpful to have "virgin" readers look at your work on occasion.
6. Be true to your own vision. Don't be afraid to disregard the group consensus if it doesn't fit your voice or your vision for the story. This is your book. And it's your voice that needs to come through. Do be understanding and don't take offense if you offer your best advice and it is not followed. You're writing your book, not theirs.
7. Don’t forget to say thank you to your critique partners. What they're doing for you is generous and caring. Appreciate them.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY, AND MOST ESPECIALLY TO COURTNEY AND TESSA!
Your turn! Any pearls of wisdom on the critique relationship?
16 comments:
India, I don't think I could add a thing! What a great post (or outline for a future workshop..?)
At first, I was trying to figure out who I am in the Paula-Randy-Simon assemblage (well, I know which of the three I'm not!) Then I started trying to figure out which of the dogs I am in that picture... LOL.
I guess maybe one thing to add is, as with any close relationship: expect some degree of inevitable conflict. *wink* But also expect to work through it.
And although geographic proximity isn't everything, I do think it would be harder to critique with someone I've never met in person. I love it that we get together a every once in a while, just to bond and talk things through.
Definitely with you on the importance of arguing/discussing further. That's where most of the helpful feedback comes, IMO. Because even a CP giving her honest reaction may not be able to easily put her finger on exactly what is causing that reaction - and talking it through in a group usually yields the most helpful suggestions.
I second the importance of virgin and beta readers. The three of us talk about our group a lot, but the truth is each of us has other CPs that we exchange with occasionally, to get that fresh perspective.
And - let's be honest - as happy as we are for each others' successes, a smidgen of competitive spirit doesn't hurt. I love it that both you and CM routinely come up with lines and scenes that make me horribly envious, because that pushes me to write better.
Love this post, India!
In some ways, I think that a good critique relationship is like a good romance. Note, not the ones we read and write about--those have way to much conflict.
But it has to start with a certain amount of zing and attraction. And shortly after that, you need to start building up serious respect. I don't think it would be possible to have a great critique relationship with people whose work you didn't respect. Publication status probably doesn't matter, but if you constantly think that someone's doing stuff that's beneath you, I don't think it would be a good relationship.
It takes a lot of work to make the relationship work, but when it does work, it takes everything you put into it and turns it back into a thousand-fold return.
In the end, I think a great critique relationship is just another kind of good old fashioned love.
Tessa, I'm pretty sure neither of us is Paula. I think we may trade off on Randy and Simon from time to time. But I am obviously the brown-and-white dog on the far right.
Thanks to both of you!
I'm Simon, I tell you! And LOL over everyone picking a dog. Hey, did you guys ever see that movie, "Dog Fight" with River Phoenix? It was awesome.
Yes, I'll admit to scene and line envy. Both of you make me horribly jealous. But that's motivation for me to improve.
Bwa. Simon, India? You?? LOL. I think CM has the arrangement down.
Maybe I will be the dog in the middle, so I can get all the warm, fuzzy love from both sides. :)
You guys are the best. Big, drooly licks to you both. (you know how we big dogs are)
Oh wait - if I'm the big dawg, does that mean I'm Randy?
What a great editorial on critique groups -- I'm going to bookmark it for everyone who asks "what should I know about finding a critique buddy?"
And, boy, the Virgin Readers idea is SO true...over the years I wound up with 15 people I could ask for reads (and vice versa) and always saved half for the later stages of the book, when the earlier readers were too enmeshed in the work.
The other advantage of having a lot of potential critiquers (aside from getting to read a lot of great stories) is that nobody's under any pressure to deliver. All my friends know that if they're too busy for a read, it's not gonna be a problem because someone else WILL have time.
I should add that it took ten years to develop that circle...but it's a great goal to keep in mind!
Oh, Laurie, hi! Thanks for stopping by. For those of you who don't know her, Laurie is an author who in addition to publishing many fab romances, is a nationally sought after speaker on writing. I've heard great things about her book: Believable Characters: Creating with Enneagrams. I've added her to my blogroll if you want to check out her website and books.
Laurie will also be speaking at the DESERT DREAMS conference in Phoenix this April. I'll be there, and I'd encourage any of you who are interested to sign up for the conference before Dec. 31st in order to get the discount.
Love these words of wisdom, India...:)
Great post, India!
I have to say that I've truly admired your CP relationship, so much so that not too long ago I blogged an advertisement for CP's.
All the things you listed are all the things I'm looking for in that tight knit group. I think it is vital to my own writing.
The downside of it is, I'm not sure what I bring to the relationship. I'm still in the learning process of how things work as far as plot, motivations, etc. But I'm getting there.
Thanks for such a great post.
Well, folks you heard it! Renee Lynn Scott needs a CP. Hop on over to her blog and chat her up if you're looking for one too.
As for what she brings to the CP relationship, she and I occasionally critique for each other, and I can tell you she is quick, and supportive and has great ideas. In fact a couple of my favorite lines in chapter 5 of Twist are courtesy of a Renee Lynn Scott critique. I'm sure she doesn't remember them, but they involve the back pockets of my hero's Levi Jeans and the real estate market for locker locations in med school.
India, this is a really great blog and you need to submit it--somewhere.
I agree with you 100%--it's important to find people that you mesh with. Can I just say on a side note how insanely jealous that you all three are CPs... I've been able to read two of your mss and have been promised CM's when she finishes. *g*
But the main reason I get along with my CP so well is that we're both very similar in personalities... she's honest and will push me to soemthing better. We'll e-mail each other our pages or partials but unfailiingly she's honest and supportive.
Without those two things, being a CP is doomed to failure.
I've been part of a CP that's somewhat fallen apart mainly because there's no one submitting and people kind of slacked off (this isn't the right word/phrase at all but it's all what I could think of) when it came down to critiques.
You make several excellent points. I think where it comes to the quesiton of talking back about the critique the rule is generally intended for new writers who have not yet accepted that their work is going to have to stand on its own at some point. They tend to argue right off, rather than have a dialogue in which they are truly seeking understanding.
*blush*
Elyssa, you are so right about honesty and support. If you can't trust your CP to tell you what they REALLY think, as well as to have your best interests in mind the relationship is doomed.
I think it is friendship that cements a good CP relationship, even though that is something that ususally grows and develops as time progresses.
Gillian and Alice, thanks for your comments! Alice, that brings up another important point. It's not just what your CP brings to the table, it's also what you bring. An open mind, and a willingness to grow as a writer being crucial.
Hi India, I agree with Elyssa, you should submit this post somewhere (maybe RWA National magazine?) because it's a very thoughtful and informative explanation of critique relationships.
I'm looking for another CP right now, and even though I agree with you that writing in the same sub genre is not that important, at this stage I would love to find someone who is writing post-regency historical romance, for the simple reason that I think we could help each other with historical accuracy.
Thanks for a great post!
Fabulous, fabulous post, India!!!! Like you, I feel so fortunate to have found great CPs. They are more than just writing partners, they are my closest friends. And even though they live far away (okay, one further than the other), I got to see them both last month and will see them again next month. How lucky am I??
I'm mulling Desert Dreams, but not sure if I can make it...will drop you a note about that soon. :-)
Lenora, hugs and congrats on your NANO success! I'm thrilled for you and can't wait to see the final product.
Darcy, have missed you! Am heading over soon to the Maven's blog to catch up on your sage advice over there. Do come to Desert Dreams! Everyone! Why wait for San Fran when we can all get together in April? And it's gonna be a helluva conference
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