Hey everyone! It’s Clara Kensie, back with a new Question of the Week! Pretty much the only thing writers love as much as writing is talking about writing. So each week here at Adventures in YA Publishing, I post a question for you to answer. The questions cover all topics important to writers: craft, career, writers’ life, reading and books. Together we’ll become better writers by sharing tips and discussing our habits and practices.
Question of the Week for April 14, 2013:
Do you have a critique partner?
Giving your precious manuscript to someone to read with a critical eye, to specifically look for weaknesses, is one of the toughest things writers do. Sometimes my finger hovers over the SEND button for five, ten minutes as I gather up the courage to send my manuscripts to my CPs. But it’s always worth it in the end. Critique partners are a vital part of the writing process. Yes, critique partners critique, but don’t forget the other part of that title: partner. They want you to succeed. They want to help make your manuscript the best it can be. A good critique partner will offer advice and encouragement along with critiques.
Do you have a critique partner?
My answer: I have several critique partners. My very first CP is our very own Martina Boone! We cyber-met a couple years ago when she first started this blog. Since then I’ve also partnered up with a few others, mostly members of my fantablous RWA chapter, Chicago-North. Not only do we exchange manuscripts for critique, we get together once or twice a week to brainstorm and write. Each of my CPs make me a better writer. I sincerely hope I do the same for them.
YOUR TURN: Do you have critique partners? Tell us about them. How did you find them?
My main critique partner is also the fabulous Martina. Her insights are invaluable to me. My other CP is the lovely Vivian Mahoney. It's a newer partnership, but I can already tell she is going to be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh! Vivian Mahoney! We recently started following each other on Twitter. She's great! Yes, I'm sure she's a fantastic critique partner. (If you're reading this, Vivian... hi! ;-D) And I know from experience how wonderful Martina is as a critique partner. How fortunate you are to have TWO awesome CPs, Jan!
ReplyDeleteI do, and her first NA book sold a few weeks ago with a pre-empt. Which means I get to read her next book before her editor. :D
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the best things about being a critique partner--you get to read their books before they are books! Congrats to your friend, Stina. It's always a good feeling when you help your CP find success.
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