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What can I say about critique partners. I had one
set, when I first began writing, who were terrible. They kept rewriting my
stuff in their style. They also gave me the advice that I should start writing
category romance.
NOT.
I don’t write category. There is NOTHING wrong with
category romance. I just don’t write that way. I write darker stuff. Not a lot
of description or angst.
The next group I was part of met once a month on a
Friday. We’d have pizza. The hostess’ husband was a character, that we actually
learned a lot from. I kind of miss Al. And Ann, of course our hostess.
I learned a LOT in
this critique group. And I acquired a very thick skin about my writing. (Thanks
Irene)
I would not be published without them.
There are some writers who never show their work to
beta readers. Not me. I don’t trust my writing enough. I appreciate at least
one other set of eyes on my stuff.
These days I am in a smaller critique group. We all
write different stuff. One writes category. The other writes more science
fiction type romances. The third, our newest member, write YA. We’ve not only
helped each other, but we’ve become fast friends. We have seen each other
through some crappy times.
And I trust them implicitly with my work. I don’t
always do what they suggest, but if I’m not sure, I will err on the side of
doing what they suggest.
Everyone should have confidants in their lives. I’m
lucky to have two.
Cathi and Kathy have kept me from quitting. They’ve
kept me on track. They’ve cheered my successes and I’ve been glad to cheers
theirs.
As a write, do you use a critique partner?
As a reader, do you find you seek out the same
person when you need advice?
INCENDIARY
What if your past comes back to haunt you?
Chelsea James, captain of the Biggin
Hill First Aid Squad, has had ten years to mend a broken heart and forget about
the man who'd left her hurt and bewildered. Ten years to get her life on track.
But fate has other plans.
Fire Inspector Jake Campbell, back in
town after a decade, investigates a string of arsons, only to discover they are
connected to the same arsons he'd been accused of long ago. Now his past has
come back to haunt him, and Chelsea is part of that past.
Together, Chelsea and Jake must join
forces to defeat their mutual enemy. Only then can they hope to rekindle the
flames of passion. But before they can do that, Chelsea
Links:
ABOUT CHRIS
Chris
Redding lives in New Jersey Penn State
6 comments:
Glad you found critique partners you can trust, Chris. I have two with very different styles, but they see things I don't. I must offer something in return, because I've had them both for years. One partner and I exchange 20+ pages faithfully every two weeks; the other pages, ideas, or big chunks to full manuscripts when the need arises. I don't know what I'd do without them.
Best of luck with Incendiary. It sounds like a terrific romantic mystery.
Ellis, Thanks for having me today.
And yes I am very lucky to have great critique partners.
cmr
Hi Chris,
I had a 10 member critique group from ...you know where... More purple ink than you can imagine. Mostly they told me how to fix it the same way they'd write it and that would change depending on the mood
I was so confused.
Now I have a critique partner, and I have beta readers. I can't imagine not having people you trust read over your work.
Love the title Incendiary. Best of luck with it.
Ciao~LA
Chris, thanks for being here today. I got your book. I enjoyed The Drinking Game--such fun, snappy dialogue!--and I'm looking forward to this one.
I've been in three critique groups. Most of the comments were very helpful, and they all saw things in a new way. A few went overboard. Now I have one critique partner who's really terrific and has saved me from disaster many times.
Like you, Chris, I had struggles with the first critique group I joined. I found it difficult working in a critique group where everyone wrote in a different genre. I didn't feel I got the most valuable feedback from others who don't read my stuff, plus I struggled to stay focused when they read their work in genres I don't enjoy. I prefer to use beta readers who like the same types of books I write, although I do miss the face-to-face time.
I wouldn't be the writer I am today without my very special critique partner, who also became my best friend. She always gave honest feedback but in a kind and non-threatening way. We've had a partnership for over 10 years now, and we're both still writing and going strong. Best of luck to you, your book sounds great =)
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