Should you get a critique partner?
Do you need a critique partner?
Can you trust your critique partner?
These are all completely valid questions. And do I have the perfect answers? Not really. But I will attempt :)
First of all, what is a critique partner? According to YA Author, Cindy Thomas, a critique partner is "someone who willingly reads your writing and provides honest feedback that will both encourage and push you to write better. They'll tell you what's missing and what's working, and will (hopefully) be someone you can go to time and time again to discuss writing with."
It's important here to stress on the word partner. Your critique partner will not just read your work. You have to commit to reading theirs, and working as hard as you can to help them make their book better-just like you know they will do for you.
The Positives
Having a critique partner, and taking the time and effort to find one that works best with you, will ultimately help your writing immensely. It is a fresh pair of eyes, one that is experiencing the same things you are experiencing in the road to perfecting their own book. They will be able to see the things that you are not able to see. And as much as we'd all like to think that we can find the flaws in our own books, it's not true. A critique partner will be able to see these things and point them out, which can be invaluable.
Beth Revis from goodreads.com says that you need a critique partner because...
"Because you're not perfect. Because everyone needs help to write better. Because you cannot see the forest for the trees. Because you cannot identify your own mistakes--very few people can. Because critiquing other people's work will help you learn to identify your own mistakes, and because that will make you a better writer. Because it's a part of being professional. Because it's cheaper than hiring an editor--and you can rarely trust someone you pay money to be honest with your flaws. Because if you want to be a professional writer (i.e. published), then you have to learn to work with others on editing a manuscript."
And that pretty much sums it up.
The Fear
A common fear about critique partners is that if you send them your work, they will steal if from you. However, its highly unlikely that will happen. I've struggled with this fear as well, and I just have to keep telling myself that it won't happen. A critique partner will only have agreed to work with you if they have a work of their own that they are passionate about making better. So if they're so into their own idea...why would they take yours? Beth Revis says, "Don't be paranoid. Also? If I told you the idea of my next book, would you write it? Or would you rather write your own idea? We all have an idea of what we want to write--and writers are stubborn by nature and are unlikely to abandon their idea for yours. Also also? The key is the writing not the idea."
What I Think
I believe that a critique partner is a great idea in the long run. It may be extra time, extra effort, but the time you spend critiquing their work is so worth it. Just by reading and editing your partner's work, you will learn more about the craft of writing and how to edit your own work. The feedback you get from your partner will outweigh the extra time and effort a thousand times over. The viewpoint of just one set of fresh eyes will benefit your writing, and could even take your book from good to great. It is highly unlikely that anyone will try and take your ideas...but even so, the chance of finding a good partner is worth the risk of putting yourself out there. And you don't have to send someone your entire book! If you're nervous, try sending a chapter or two at a time, and see if you will work well with the person. But definitely find a critique partner, you will be glad you did!
Can't hurt...might help :)
So, the answer to the first three questions? YES.
Go find yourself a critique partner! And if you can't find one, I'm always willing!
Happy writing!
Sounds like a good idea. Great writing happens over time, as you know. The more feedback you get the better.
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