tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post6891047207357491965..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Critique Partners: They’re Not OptionalGabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-16932460969643193782015-02-24T18:01:15.701-08:002015-02-24T18:01:15.701-08:00You're very welcome! Good luck! :)You're very welcome! Good luck! :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-42675613093669223532015-02-24T17:59:55.019-08:002015-02-24T17:59:55.019-08:00Thank you so much! I'll make sure to keep tha...Thank you so much! I'll make sure to keep that in mind! ^.^Maggie Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-31281858348887237852015-02-22T18:22:56.221-08:002015-02-22T18:22:56.221-08:00Hi Maggie! I have three main CPs, and I recommend ...Hi Maggie! I have three main CPs, and I recommend you stick with odd numbers (that way you always have a tiebreaker if your CPs disagree on something). I also have betas and other people on deck and I talk about my process in <a href="http://avajae.blogspot.com/2015/02/writing-tip-cps-vs-betas.html" rel="nofollow">this post</a>. I hope that helps! :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-80881255713750039522015-02-22T15:28:06.014-08:002015-02-22T15:28:06.014-08:00I've been writing for a long time, but I'm...I've been writing for a long time, but I'm planning on starting the exciting (and somewhat frightening) process of looking for critique partners once I finish my current WIP. I know you have multiple critique partners, and I was wondering how many. Is there a minimum/maximum number of critique partners you'd suggest? Thank you in advance!Maggie Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-78764683259602210112012-09-18T11:24:52.755-07:002012-09-18T11:24:52.755-07:00Sounds like you have a great crit group system goi...Sounds like you have a great crit group system going! Having a set of fresh eyes (and perspectives) can also be extraordinarily helpful from time to time, especially in the cases, as you mentioned, where your crit group has seen your project develop. I wish you the best with your search for beta readers! ^_^Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-54053879013815217752012-09-18T10:00:16.708-07:002012-09-18T10:00:16.708-07:00I work with a crit group and I wouldn't be wit...I work with a crit group and I wouldn't be without them. They catch all the silly mistakes and plot holes that you don't notice when you're too close to (inside) your WIP. <br />Having just finished my latest, I'm now going to try a beta reader or two as well, after a 1st edit, as the other guys have seen it throughout its development and I feel a fresh set of eyes will catch any lingering issues. <br />This is my 4th novel, and I know how influential the group has been on the development of my writing and vice versa: 7 of us in this group and all published in one form or another since joining :)<br />Optional?<br />Definitely not.Deborah Jayhttp://twitter.com/DeborahJay2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-80011800741633772932012-09-18T05:56:53.691-07:002012-09-18T05:56:53.691-07:00That's fantastic! Supportive yet tough critiqu...That's fantastic! Supportive yet tough critique partners are the best kind.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-49605153957939700642012-09-18T01:38:54.176-07:002012-09-18T01:38:54.176-07:00I've recently found two rockstar crit partners...I've recently found two rockstar crit partners and it was one of the greatest things I've ever done. They are so supportive of my work and really understand how to give feedback in a way that isn't rude or mean, but firm enough so that I know what's definitely, inarguably, not working.Heather Bryantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-70541554101920519692012-09-17T18:42:04.377-07:002012-09-17T18:42:04.377-07:00I absolutely agree, Susan. Thankfully, you don'...I absolutely agree, Susan. Thankfully, you don't need dozens of beta readers and critique partners to get a good critique--you just need a couple of good crit partners who know what they're doing. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-23091534792425525232012-09-17T18:41:04.752-07:002012-09-17T18:41:04.752-07:00Feedback from beta readers and critique partners i...Feedback from beta readers and critique partners is truly invaluable. I definitely recommend it! Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-53471852472257544442012-09-17T16:26:36.602-07:002012-09-17T16:26:36.602-07:00I can't imagine going without my critique part...I can't imagine going without my critique partner. We just can't see everything on our own. But I'm also careful about how many people I let see my work. Too many cooks spoil the pot kind of mentality. :-0Susan Sipalhttp://twitter.com/HP4Writersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-47566770675041232522012-09-17T16:04:28.486-07:002012-09-17T16:04:28.486-07:00I've always heard a lot about critique partner...I've always heard a lot about critique partners, and I'm definitely going to find some when I'm anywhere near that stage. I've had feedback on a couple of scenes before, and I found the help was tremendous.Imogennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-23348851042439292692012-09-17T15:57:22.002-07:002012-09-17T15:57:22.002-07:00My cp lives on the other side of the country- sinc...My cp lives on the other side of the country- since we never give critiques face to face, I think it's easier to be honest. I know she has experience and continually works to improve her craft- a great quality in a cp. Finally, she's good about asking questions, getting me to think instead of just saying "this needs to go!". It's great to have a balance of honesty and sensitivity in a cp. Julia Tomiakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17999070457191845503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-32382972276667142652012-09-17T12:14:07.740-07:002012-09-17T12:14:07.740-07:00Excellent point! It really is an eye-opening exper...Excellent point! It really is an eye-opening experience for both the critiquer and the writer getting her work critiqued. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-41277754010719293722012-09-17T10:35:08.646-07:002012-09-17T10:35:08.646-07:00Couldn't agree more! I've learned more fro...Couldn't agree more! I've learned more from getting AND giving critiques than all of the books I've read combined.Jen Chatfieldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-70735212970263132072012-09-17T09:46:55.690-07:002012-09-17T09:46:55.690-07:00They certainly are incredibly helpful. Thanks for ...They certainly are incredibly helpful. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, E.J.!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-62891951936239156002012-09-17T09:46:24.353-07:002012-09-17T09:46:24.353-07:00Great points, Daphne! Having critique partners or ...Great points, Daphne! Having critique partners or beta readers is useless if they're too nice or too inexperienced. And a dose of humility certainly helps swallow those good critiques.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-81306190863429878172012-09-17T09:44:53.303-07:002012-09-17T09:44:53.303-07:00Writing is extremely subjective, so it's certa...Writing is extremely subjective, so it's certainly not uncommon to receive conflicting feedback. In the end, it always comes back to you—the writer—to determine what feedback to incorporate.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-65807870362351026162012-09-17T07:52:58.707-07:002012-09-17T07:52:58.707-07:00This is actually kind of perfect for me. I just ha...This is actually kind of perfect for me. I just have a this 20 page excerpt to a friend to revise since I'm sending it to a contest. It's actually a bit painful to know there was so much wrong with it, but I need to understand that when I get it back I'll be able to fix it and I'll become better.<br /><br />Plus, I really want to win the contest :D<br /><br />I guess I've always been in need of thicker skin, though. I struggle with criticism way too much for someone who wants to go into this business.Darth Lolitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18042975826918171575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-79885271870055612432012-09-17T07:49:59.468-07:002012-09-17T07:49:59.468-07:00Yes! Find readers, lots of them. Then determine wh...Yes! Find readers, lots of them. Then determine where they're right (and they are most of the time), and apply it. Critters are your stories only hope.E.J. Wesleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-13623544775798362672012-09-17T06:50:37.020-07:002012-09-17T06:50:37.020-07:00I agree about the importance of having a Critique ...I agree about the importance of having a Critique Partner. But it's equally important to choose that person VERY carefully. You really want someone who knows how to write. (I'm an ex-journalist -- and so is my best CP.) You also need someone who isn't going to pussy-foot about problems/errors. (That's where working with an ex-journalist comes in handy.) And, of course, you also need to be able to keep your own ego in check.Daphne Gray-Grantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-49337791801762452952012-09-17T06:43:21.026-07:002012-09-17T06:43:21.026-07:00I have a CP and my mss are seen by numerous beta r...I have a CP and my mss are seen by numerous beta readers. I couldn't imagine submitting to agents without their feedback. The toughest part is the conflicting feedback, when both sides have valid reasons for their suggestions.Stina Lindenblattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-69044198987236505442012-09-17T06:37:32.910-07:002012-09-17T06:37:32.910-07:00Agreed! You learn not only about your WIP from cri...Agreed! You learn not only about your WIP from critique partners, but about your writing as well.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-4908844345289435362012-09-17T06:35:22.186-07:002012-09-17T06:35:22.186-07:00That it is. Thanks for stopping by, Susan!That it is. Thanks for stopping by, Susan!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-50910073743707826592012-09-17T06:34:41.961-07:002012-09-17T06:34:41.961-07:00They're a truly invaluable part of the process...They're a truly invaluable part of the process, particularly when they aren't afraid to be completely honest with you about your work. Good critique partners are worth their weight in gold!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com