Critique Partners

Last month I talked briefly about the importance of networking. Today I want to dig a little deeper. Your critique group or partner is probably the basic building block of your writing network.

Goldilocks Principle

Critique partners are ‘first eyes’ on your work. They become trusted partners in your writing process. So how do you find them? If you’re a student, it can be as easy as tapping a fellow classmate. But be careful. Your goal is to find someone who is unafraid to make suggestions that will improve your work. Like Goldilocks you want to find a partner that is just right. You don’t want your critique partner to be too kind—overlooking obvious errors because you are friends. You don’t want your partner too rigid—pointing out each and every error—or worse, rewriting your carefully crafted writing.

If you are a member of the working world, casually mention to coworkers that you like to write. Sign up for writing workshops or classes through adult education. Attend readings at indie bookstores. You will find writers in unexpected places when you share your love of writing. Again, choosing a critique partner is serious business. The Goldilocks Principle still applies. You want a partner that will help you improve your work not one who lavishes unearned praise or rips your work (and your self-esteem) to pieces.

And of course, there are on-line forums to connect with critique partners. This is a route I haven’t taken but this article is full of online resources for critique partners.

Set Clear Goals

Set clear goals before starting this partnership. A good beginning is discussing what you want out of the partnership. Are you looking for general impressions? Spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG) errors? Do you want to know if the story makes sense? Are you looking for factual errors, consistency, or believability? Each critique session should have a focus. That way your partner can hone in on the elements that are giving you trouble.

Critiquing is a two way street. Be prepared to offer honest critique to your partner. Listen to their needs. If your partner asks for help with SPaG, don’t delve into general impressions or factual errors. Not this session anyway.

How Often Will You Meet?

School chums may meet at lunch or after school as needed to complete writing assignments. Working stiffs will have to carve out time to meet. Online partners have the most flexibility. Each one can work when it is convenient whether early in the morning or middle of the night without impacting the other’s schedule. If you form an online partnership be sure to honor your partner’s deadlines. This is definitely something you should hammer out at the beginning of your relationship.

 Depending on your project you may want to meet weekly or every two weeks. Anything longer and your project will lose momentum. Another consideration is the length of your project. Essay, poem, and novel needs will be different. Short projects obviously take less time than novel-length projects.

Writing is a lonely undertaking but you don’t have to do it alone. Develop a relationship with a trusted critique partner and watch your writing improve!