Romance By Catherine: Critique Partners Part Two

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Critique Partners Part Two



Tell me what you like and don't like about critique groups.

11 comments:

Emma Lai said...

As always, great video blog! I do have a critique partner and also do critique for a couple of people. I find critique partners helpful in flushing out my thoughts especially since I write shorts. It's always nice to know when I need a little something more.

Lisa Alexander Griffin said...

Catherine, I completely agree. Critique groups can be wonderful if you are in the right one. They can also be a nightmare if you choose them wrongly. The confusing part, like you said, is when each critter has a differing opinion on what should be fixed in a story. That's why... if I can, I stick with only two, maybe three people at the most AND people who write similar to me. :)

We won't go into the critters out there who rip you to shreds without ever helping you grow, who leave you feeling worthless, AND enjoy ever minute of your misery.

Helen Hardt said...

Great video as usual! These are so fun! As I mentioned last time, I work with a local group, and also with two online CPs. My voice is probably the most compatible with one of the online CPs. She and I really seem to get each other. But that's not to say working with the others isn't beneficial. It definitely is. Each person brings something unique to the table. I've definitely learned from each person I've worked with. Sometimes, working with someone who doesn't quite "get you" as well as another will bring to light some issues that might otherwise be neglected.

Catherine Bybee said...

Emma - I value my CP's as much as my computer!

Lisa - See now... I've been told about CP's that rip you apart and I won't stand for that in any way. If you don't care for someones writing style or voice or content... back out, but don't rip them up. Whats the point? Writers shouldn't eat their own. It 'aint right!

Helen - I'm a prolific writer and find that I need more than one cp to keep up. In turn, I try to get my critiques of other writers work back to them ASAP. Everyone brings something to the table. I agree. I love finding new authors and new genres to read!

Christina Phillips said...

I've had my three CPs for over six years now and we work via email and msn (since I'm in Oz, two are in NZ and one in the UK!) It works well for us and we all bring different strengths to the mix.

In the past I've had a couple of other cps, but one fizzled out when it became clear all she wanted from me was to tell her how wonderful everything she wrote was. I need and expect constructive criticism from my cps, and in return I work hard to give the same back!

Cate Masters said...

Great blog, Catherine! I'm with you - critique partners can teach a writer a great deal, and provide perspectives you might never have thought of on your own. I have a few different critique groups, depending on what I'm writing. They are also a great network of support. We've all had our turn at feeling beaten down by rejection, but the rest of us work to pull each other through the bad times, and keep writing - the most important thing!

Mary Ricksen said...

My critique partner is a doll. She is supportive and she gives great advise. How lucky I am to have her.
I did have kind of a bad experience when we tried to add someone to the mesh. All she wanted to do was change my story, which did not work for me.

Catherine Bybee said...

Like I said... I'm lucky to have not had any bad experiences with CP's. So far everyone I've worked with was professional and kind.

Isn't it great to have the 'world' to work with, Christina? It is like the world coming together for a greater good. LOL

Kealie Shay said...

LOL, I think you are just adorable. I am part of your RomanceWritersCritiqueClub group, and I love the support I get there when I can actually pop in and make an appearance (not much lately unfortunately). I like that I can take what ever little bit I have learned and let someone else know about it as well. Plus, you can get more than one person's opinion and decide if what they are saying is the way you wanted to go. If not, you move on to the next suggestion. Each critique partner brings a unique take on each story. And it's up to you to decide which opinions you keep and which you ignore. Either way, I think their input is always helpful one way or another.

Kaye Manro said...

There are a lot of good answers here. I agree that critique partners are so important to our work as a writer. And it's true we do click with some cps and not as much with others.

It surprises me the scope of writing and writers out there, and I love discovering ones who write in different genres than I.

Great video, Catherine!

Kealie Shay said...

OH, by the way, we gave you "The Lemonade" award. It's a good thing, promise. Stop by and see.