tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post2827583711117557852..comments2023-10-23T12:40:22.672-07:00Comments on The Writers Alley: Critique Partners: How the Heck Do You Find One?Sherrinda Ketchersidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-49814469318344581202012-02-03T17:45:52.871-08:002012-02-03T17:45:52.871-08:00Ashley! I TOTALLY agree! Praying for a good fit is...Ashley! I TOTALLY agree! Praying for a good fit is #1. <br /><br />And I think, too, that when you haven't found a good fit, not to get frustrated, because God's timing is perfect. It may just not be "time" yet!Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-15584537394760866082012-02-03T15:47:29.545-08:002012-02-03T15:47:29.545-08:00Great post, Krista! Angie Dicken and I found each ...Great post, Krista! Angie Dicken and I found each other through the ACFW Scribes program, and she's been the best critique partner I could imagine! I remember reading the stuff she submitted to the larger group and thinking to myself how I'd love to snatch her up as my critique partner. I think it's important when looking for a critique parter to find someone who you communicate well with, someone you respect, and someone who "gets" your voice and what you're trying to do in your writing. I was blessed to find all those things in Angie. :) <br />If people are looking for a critique partner, I'd definitely recommend praying for a good fit. That's what I did (for mentors as well), and God was faithful to direct my path toward the right people.Ashley Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15448862585766728595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-86472302711800678312012-02-03T14:03:52.033-08:002012-02-03T14:03:52.033-08:00I have so enjoyed this series, Krista. I have enjo...I have so enjoyed this series, Krista. I have enjoyed the big and small crit groups. But it would be nice to have one person like Beth mentioned to grow a friendship.<br />C.S. Lewis and Tolkien did, and we know how their work turned out. :)Mary Vee Storytellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-64113571351203782052012-02-03T11:27:43.489-08:002012-02-03T11:27:43.489-08:00Great advice, Krista! For me, it was important to ...Great advice, Krista! For me, it was important to find someone in the same genre because I felt like I could offer better critiques in return. But I know there are plenty of mixed-genre writers who keep long-term crit partnerships, and they're successful.Sarah Forgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101753891967001104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-91856216593377478092012-02-03T11:11:22.682-08:002012-02-03T11:11:22.682-08:00Freya, I think you can tell a lot from a persons o...Freya, I think you can tell a lot from a persons own writing as to how it will be.<br /><br />Perhaps if you find one who is willing to explore the opportunity, you each send a sample chapter. <br /><br />Just because you come back with, "Uh, I don't think this is gonna work out" doesn't mean you hate their writing, or their critique. Sometimes there isn't that "click."<br /><br />Think of it as a date without a committment, and at the end you say, "ya know, I just don't think we have a future here..."<br /><br />Stings a little, but you both move on, like the mature adults you (hopefully! ha!) are...Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-50376714210194071902012-02-03T11:03:37.256-08:002012-02-03T11:03:37.256-08:00PS: Thanks for the advice. I'll keep trying - ...PS: Thanks for the advice. I'll keep trying - and perhaps even ask on my blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-556051612240848912012-02-03T11:01:41.464-08:002012-02-03T11:01:41.464-08:00I've been looking for one recently. I guess th...I've been looking for one recently. I guess the problem with finding people online (without lettting it organically grow through blog/twitter etc) is that you don't know whether to trust them and their opinion. I guess in a critique partner I want someone I can admire but also be able to give something back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-31682342904541832442012-02-03T09:03:19.820-08:002012-02-03T09:03:19.820-08:00Casey, I think that is the point. There are no &qu...Casey, I think that is the point. There are no "rules" of a critique group. The point is that it needs to fit the needs of its members. And every one of us has different needs, different styles, and different personalities. What fits for one might not fit for another.<br /><br />The key is to be flexible, to be kind, and to discuss goals and things up front.Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-79640970910290902572012-02-03T07:57:55.843-08:002012-02-03T07:57:55.843-08:00Being open and honest is sooooo important in a cri...Being open and honest is sooooo important in a crit partnership. <br /><br />Boy can this be a dicey topic. It's almost EASIER to not know all the "rules" of a critique partnership before going into it and learn as you go. Almost. But not quite. <br /><br />Great post topic, Krista, we need more of these! :)Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-74689080875570051312012-02-03T07:35:18.573-08:002012-02-03T07:35:18.573-08:00I do believe you two found a great match in one an...I do believe you two found a great match in one another! I do declare. Okay, it's Friday...I'm acting goofy.<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-79868049955349192872012-02-03T06:44:57.888-08:002012-02-03T06:44:57.888-08:00I've got a small writer's group that some ...I've got a small writer's group that some friends at my old job started. Since I don't work there anymore, I'm not sure how that will go from now on. <br /><br />Your advice is very helpful! To me, it's important to find someone who is as serious about writing as I am, and at about the same "level" of writing as I am (so we can be mutually beneficial to each other).Lindsay Harrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379628592162011068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-71585896006612779952012-02-03T06:27:50.397-08:002012-02-03T06:27:50.397-08:00I have partners. Love each one and feel so blessed...I have partners. Love each one and feel so blessed to have their amazing feedback.Jessica R. Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614501794157211301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-34298183233818691582012-02-03T06:09:10.978-08:002012-02-03T06:09:10.978-08:00Beth... There IS a ton to say about Critique partn...Beth... There IS a ton to say about Critique partners!! And YEAH for finding a good one!!! It's fabulous when it just "clicks" like that! <br /><br />Nicole... maybe the whole principle of opposites attract?? How fun that you found someone that does such a great job! You'll get a great perspective on your writing!<br /><br />That's another good point though. Writing "the same" isn't necessarily a requirement. Sarah and I both write contemporary romance for the CBA, and it feels comfortable to me critiquing that. But that isn't to say you can't have a crit partner with a different genre. I know many who do and LOVE it! That again, would be something to contemplate in the "needs list" section:-)Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-83666803789665228462012-02-03T04:50:06.279-08:002012-02-03T04:50:06.279-08:00I found my critique partner in the Absolute Write ...I found my critique partner in the Absolute Write forums. There was a bit of luck involved, I think -- I'd advertised there, and a few people volunteered to trade first chapters with me. I didn't really click with anyone until I traded chapters with an unlikely person -- a 70+ year old retired English professor who writes mysteries and has the exact opposite political viewpoint as I do. <br /><br />Maybe our partnership works *because* of the age, gender, and political differences. I don't know -- but he's an excellent proofreader and editor, and he's never a jerk about suggesting edits (although he never holds back either). And he claims I'm the best crit partner he's ever had, so I guess we're both pretty thrilled to have found each other.Nicolehttp://www.nicolewolverton.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-38869892165544459062012-02-03T03:53:32.255-08:002012-02-03T03:53:32.255-08:00So, so much to say about crit groups and crit part...So, so much to say about crit groups and crit partners ... but I won't. I'd have to run a series of comments . . .<br />But I do have one crit partner, Scoti. We've stuck together through thick and through thin (and I mean that in the biblical sense.) We trust one another, we believe in one another, we are here for one another, not just as writers, but as women. And that, I've found, is rare -- for a crit partner to become a treasured, lifelong friend.Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.com