In Praise of Critique Partners
The other day, I had reached a point in my current manuscript, the 13th book in my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series, that had me stymied. I was more than two-thirds toward writing “The End.” I knew that I was at the point where I needed to return to one of the red herring threads that I’d left dangling in a much earlier chapter. I also knew what I wanted to have happen and to whom it should happen, but I found I was trying to shove the proverbial square peg into the round hole. No matter what I tried, the scene just wasn’t working.
I pondered the situation for two full days and two sleepless nights of tossing and turning. The solution refused to come to me. I finally texted my critique partner: You have time to brainstorm?
A few minutes later, we were on the phone. I told her my idea, which she thought was fantastic, and the problem I was having executing that idea. She began to offer some suggestions.
That’s what a great critique partner will do. Her suggestions stimulated my brain cells, and we began to bounce ideas back and forth.
“What about….?”
“Yes, but then….”
“Well, what if…?”
“Okay, I can work with that, but then….”
“Hmm…I see where you’re going. So….”
“Hadn’t thought of that. Maybe….”
The conversation went back and forth for about twenty minutes. My brain filled with possibilities, and eventually, the perfect solution began to take shape.
That’s the wonderful thing about a great critique partner. Instead of telling you how she’d fix the problem, she looks at the problem through your eyes and coaxes you into seeing the situation from a different perspective. She doesn’t force her writing style on you but forces you to look outside the box and embrace other possibilities.
In the end, because of that brainstorming session, I stopped trying to shove that square peg into the round hole. Instead, with her help, I discovered the perfect square hole for my peg.
I owe you one, Donnell!
If you’re a reader, do you enjoy learning behind-the-scenes insights about the authors you read? If you’re a writer, do you have a critique partner or group you rely on for honest critiques of your work? Post a comment for a chance to win a promo code for a free audiobook download of A Sew Deadly Cruise, the ninth book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series.
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USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry. Learn more about Lois and her books at her website www.loiswinston.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter and follow her on various social media sites.
I had to share this, because I, too, have fantastic critique partners who know perfectly how to lift me from maelstroms of my own making and inspire me with the wings to fly out.
Saralyn, I’m so glad you have critique partners you can rely on. They are truly a treasure.
This is a great reminder to all writers who are struggling with their WIP, myself included.
Thanks, Kathleen. Critique partners are invaluable for those times when you hit a brick wall.
I don’t have an established critique partner (except for a group where I bring short pieces too as a general rule), but I have a number of people willing to bounce ideas off with me — each works as a critique partner as all have been beta readers at some point or simply know me better than I do.
Debra, isn’t it amazing how some people know us better than we know ourselves at times?
Ah, thanks, Lois, back at you. I was just talking about you to a colleague about how we critique. After critiquing with you for years, I know Anastasia well and where LOIS WINSTON wants to take her. My job as a critique partner is not to force my ideas on my partner but to help my partner make her WIP better. My job, and the beauty of our relationship is, we see where the person is going/stuck/meandering/offbase, and do our best to right that train.
Now, new critique partners won’t have that luxury. And my philosophy is if you have a critique partner that works, stick with them. FYI, I’ve taken a life insurance policy out on you.
LOL, Donnell! I hope you don’t have to cash that policy in any time soon!
I am in quicksand much in the manner Lois described. I don’t currently have a critique partner and I miss her terribly. I’ll call her and see if she’ll give me a hand. We parted company because of Fantasy vs. Whatever it is I write.
Thanks for the reminder/kick in the butt.
George, it’s really difficult to partner with someone who doesn’t read and enjoy your genre, but it can work if the person is open to learning more about it and believes in you as a writer. If it doesn’t work out, look for someone else. I’m sure there are many writers out there who would be great partners for you. It may just take time to find the right one.