Writing is such a lonely activity. Then comes that moment when you decide to show your work to someone else, because writing has an end goal- of having someone read it. The agony of having a person read your work for the first time is like having root canal. What will that person think? Do they like it? Do they get it? What do they really think?
It’s no wonder then, that the first reader of our work is most often a family member, or a close friend. These are the people who love us, and who hopefully know us the best.
But it’s not enough to stop there. A friend or loved one may give you encouragement, and praise, but they are not going to give you the feedback your writing needs.
Your writing needs and deserves feedback from critique partners.
This can be scary. And, yes, I was scared. But I believe that having critique partners helps your writing. It makes you a better writer.
Where to find a group?
I attended my first writers conference (it was like finding my tribe) and I went to a session about how to give and received feedback. At the end of the session, we were encouraged to put our names down if we wanted to form a writers group. I’m an introvert, and not a “joiner”, but something made me put my name down.
Tip: Writers conferences are great places to find critique partners. Attend the mixers. I met one of my critique partners at my very first mixer. Other places? Check local resources like local bookstores, library programs and community centers. Join a writers organization or two. Some writers organizations have active chapters, and may have resources for members to find critique partners or groups. Or you could always create your own.
And then?
I did nothing. At the time I was working on a middle grade novel about time travel to a small western town during WW1. I read newspaper articles from that time. I decided to set this novel in my own home town, and was having fun researching its history. I didn’t know very much about that time and the more I dug into it, the more intrigued I became, but I was really struggling with writing the novel.
And then I decided to reach out, and found myself part of a writers group.
What makes it work for us?
As I write this post, my group is pretty active. We meet twice a month (sometimes more frequently depending on need) and we take it in turns to read and provide feedback on each others work. We have five members, but currently three of us are active. (Life happens.) The group is made of writers of different genres, and for different audiences. For me, I like having different perspectives. I think it also helps that we are at more or less the same place in our publishing journeys. None of us have an agent, or are traditionally published. Some have had success through self or indie publishing. We’ve all been through the query trenches, and suffered through the fires of rejection.
But I think what makes this group sustainable is that we have a high level of trust. I trust my critique partners. I know that the feedback they provide is valuable. And I do my best, to make sure that in return I can provide them with valuable feedback.
What happens when it doesn’t work out?
I believe giving and receiving feedback on a regular, sustainable basis takes an enormous amount of trust. It takes time to build up trust.
It’s OK if you have an interaction and it doesn’t work out. Perhaps you didn’t gel? Perhaps the quality of feedback isn’t what you need. Maybe, it’s not you, it’s me. The point is, don’t give up. Keep trying.
There are different ways to find critique partners. How did you find yours?
Be brave, and good luck.
