The following arrived in the inbox of massive numbers yesterday:
Dear Smart Bitch Sarah:
I was reading the threads as the GH and RITA nominees were announced, and saw that a few people posted on behalf of or in congrats to their CP – critique partner. My question is this: How do I find a critique partner?
This is going to sound so snobby, but I’ve been in a few critique groups before, in various place and in a few different sizes, and I’ve hated the experience. There’s always someone who goes on at length when it’s your turn to be critiqued and without fail makes it all about themselves and their story in progress – and then there’s the critique that does little to address the faults I’ve asked for help with. I get all kinds of comments that make no difference but few that actually help me where I’ve asked for help.
Please don’t think I am not listening. I am. I mean, I do listen. But often the input I’ve received isn’t applicable to the historical romance I’m writing, and sometimes, I think, it’s delivered with disdain for my chosen genre.
I live too far from a local RWA chapter, and there are so many online groups to choose from I’m totally lost. What should I do, post a personal ad? “Sardonic, witty writer working on historical romance seeks critique partner. Must be willing to set and adhere to firm deadlines and page numbers, offer honest but thoughtful critique – only one use of the word ‘awkward’ per email, please – and provide motivation and encouragement as well. I promise to do the same, and do so with my complete attention to your work in exchange for your equal attention to mine. Use of the following characters in email prohibited: ~ * # : { }.”
I know I sound like a raging asshole, but I’m having a hard time finding a romance critique partner who wants to work one-on-one with a goal toward publication and career, not as a hobby that’s fun in addition to lots of email chat about pets and kids and tv. I have plenty of friends. I need a working partner and don’t know where to go.
Of course, I just read over that and I really, really do sound like a complete ass. Maybe this is a lost cause and I’m better off alone.
Yours in bitching,
S.A
Ah, yes, the hobbyist vs. the professional aspirant. And the overuse of cutesy characters in email messages. I’ve heard from a few aspiring writers of romance that separating the serious writers from the people who want to say they’re “working on a novel” can be a challenge, even within RWA chapters and other writing organizations that have excellent reputations.
As I am not a Professional Writer of Fiction, I honestly don’t know where S.A. might go for a critique partner who considers writing romance “Serious Business.” What would your advice be?
My advice is rather pithy, I’m afraid: keep your eyes and ears open. Spread the word among writers you know and trust who may already have critique partners, and let them know who and what you’re looking for. And above all: don’t compromise. If you are serious about your writing, and you are serious about wanting to write romance professionally, you owe it to yourself to find someone whom you think takes writing as seriously as you do. In other words, six thousand people might think you an asshole for laying out what you’re looking for, but there’s probably one – or more than one – who is looking for you in similar terms.
That said, I have heard that some writers are better left to their own devices. Some folks work best in a vacuum. And yes, while you have absolutely the right goals in mind to ask for outside input to strengthen your writing, it may be that your best method is to work independently until you have a finished product – and you have found someone who agrees to read your manuscript.
Good luck!
It’s not easy to find a compatible CP – ask me, I know. I don’t have one either. I have been told you can advertise on the RWA loops (sadly, I don’t belong) and there is also a section on the Romance Divas forum. Wherever you advertise, you still have the right to be choosy though. It’s not always easy to find the right person.
Good luck!
Well, I can definitely say that this writer may think she sounds like a raging asshole, but to me, she sounds like she’s serious and knows what she wants/needs out of a critique. *applauds*
It’s tough, finding a critique partner who gets you—I’m unbelievably lucky. I have a fabulous CP who’s read every word I’ve written for the past seven years. And I’m happy with just one CP because I twitch at the idea of a group of people imposing their ideas all at once on my work. Just way too overwhelming. Even so, sometimes, I realize I need a fresh eye, because we’re so familiar with each other’s work, we sometimes miss things that might be obvious to a different reader. So I’ve asked on occasion for objective quick beta reads and those are almost as helpful as in-depth critiques.
In a roundabout way, I’m completely agreeing with Sarah—and adding my own little bit. Not that you mentioned this in your email, but don’t be afraid to take on a CP who writes in a completely different genre or sub-genre from you. Sometimes, that works the best because they’re not going to be bound by the same tropes and conventions and can offer fresh insight that you might not have even considered.
Good luck!
Not being a writer, I see these situations from another point of view: I think I might like critiquing because I appreciate writing and like the idea that I might be a help to someone along the path to achieving a goal. But I fear getting stuck in a situation of reading something gawd-awful. I’d be most comfortable, I imagine, in a situation where the writing was a good 75% or more of the way “there”. Anything less than that and I’d be too tempted to completely re-write it, and really, if I was that interested in seeing crap published that probably shouldn’t be published I’d be better off trying to write some fiction myself.
So now I’m the asshole, but “tell the truth and shame the devil” is a common saying for a reason.
Are there any places or groups (online or in person) that do a kind of pre-vetting process? I mean, where both the critiquers and the writers get some kind of review of their work by a group of people before they’re admitted in and matched up? It seems a logical way to cut down on the problems from both sides and get people who demonstrate some skill and commitment (and maybe even passion) for the job at hand. I understand the concept of being pre-vetted would be insulting to a lot of people, but I imagine it would be comforting to a lot of others. Getting some validation on being on the right track even if a few adjustments may be necessary is a great motivator to get down to work.
I have the two most fabulous CPs in all the world. In all honesty, I think the most important thing for our relationship is that we all respect each other’s writing. We got to know each other through Avon’s FanLit contest, and we all knew that we liked the other person’s style of writing and that people who were serious writers had critique partners…. So it was kind of like, “hey, wanna critique with me?” “Sure. How do you critique?”
It took a while to figure out.
The respect thing is the most important. You need someone who will tell you the things you are most blind to in your own work, but who will not try to impose their own views on what you’re doing. And that’s a really, really hard balance to find, because sometimes when you think someone is blind they are really just different. (Also, the reverse is true: sometimes you think you are different but you really are just blind.) You have to be able to argue a little bit. You even have to be able to snark a little, when you get something that isn’t quite up to standards. But mostly, you have to trust each other to be safe with your work, to know that the other person really, truly wants the best for you and believes in you and is only trying to help you be the best you can be.
Also, it’s important to believe in the other person, because if you think your CP can’t write worth a hill of beans, you’re not going to take her criticism seriously.
I can’t imagine *advertising* for a critique partner, honestly. It sounds like advertising for a friend. Instead, I would say to participate in writer loops or bulletin boards or something like that, and see which people you tend to like and respect. They’re probably going to end up as more natural fits for critiquing.
S.A., I so totally agree with you, and I’ve had the EXACT SAME problem—too far away from an RWA chapter, trouble finding serious writers close to home, dismayed by all the choices online, annoyed by those who look down on genre fiction. I’d want to add one more thing, though, and this makes me seem like a snob: I want to enjoy my critique partner’s writing, too because, well, I’m going to spend so much time critiquing it. And that’s where it gets tricky—because it’s not like you can sample someone else’s writing unless they’ve been published, and in that case they often already have a critique partner.
Anyway, I’m available and having the same issues. (But then, I imagine you’ll receive a number of offers from your post!)
I’m in the same situation as S.A. I’ve had several cp’s and none of them were serious about either writing, or critiquing. The first week is always great, but then recipes and such get in the way of the writing. A few weeks in, and I’m usualy told that I’m too demanding and my expectations are too high. Well gee darn, this a career I’m going for, what do people expect? I do not need help with my lasanga. GMC on the other hand. . .
I’ve pretty much just given up hope on ever finding a serious CP who’ll actually work with me, and will let me work with them, to improve writing. And don’t even get me started on finding a career partner. Personally, those are so hard to find, I think they’re just urban legends.
Good luck with the search, S.A. Hey, if you want, we can hook up and see how it goes. If we don’t jive, we can be partners in bitching. I’m very, very good at bitching.
TracyS.
I’ve never had a CP, either, and I know it’s difficult to connect with the right person.
How far are you from an RWA chapter? I used to drive over an hour. Now the meetings are a little closer, and still a major time committment but it’s worth it. Advice and support from fellow romance authors is priceless.
Writing groups with romance haters suck! I once had a man tell me that women include “too much internal dialogue.” What a lame-ass.
Do you have any romance how-to books? I love these resources! Alison Kent’s book on writing erotic romance is fabulous.
Gah. It’s hard to find good CP’s in this business.
I don’t use them anymore, and that’s mainly a time crunch thing more than a preference thing.
I started out CP’ing in a group. Bleh. Never again. Too many opinions, too vague, too many different genres, and no concrete advice. It was a disaster. From that group I picked up two great CP’s and we critiqued for each other for awhile, but then drifted apart.
Through the years I found other CPs through writing groups online, and they worked very well, but because of one thing or another we too drifted apart. You’ll find this happens alot in CP relationships. One person does all the work, or the other can’t fulfill their obligations, or you just find your career crossroads heading down differing paths.
Finding a good critique partner takes time, and a lot of trial and error to get a good match. You may critique with someone for awhile and find your styles and methods don’t match, and you part ways. If you write in the same genre and you’re roughly at the same place, experience wise, it helps. But the relationship is a constantly flowing, adjustable thing, and you may find yourself moving on more often than not. Then again you may hook onto one or two CP’s and have them for life. That’s never worked for me but I think it’s awesome when it works out that way for others.
I wish I had the time for a CP these days, but I have to zip out one book and immediatley dive into another, and haven’t been able to hook up with anyone who can jive with my schedule.
And maybe I just don’t play well with others, in which it’s probably a good thing that I go it alone.
Unless Nora is available. Then I’m all in 😉
I know lots of people who don’t have CPs and do fine. At first I thought I was one of these people. I’d tried writing in a vacuum for, oh, 13 years or so. I finally decided this was not working for me (sometimes I am a little slow on the uptake). At the time I was living in the ATL, I had a toddler at home, and I didn’t get out much—not even to GRW meetings. So online CPs were the way to go.
I traded parts of manuscripts with around five people who didn’t work out—perhaps because they were horrified by my writing, but I got the feeling they just weren’t as serious about it as I was. After lots of trial and error, I ended up with two CPs who are the world’s best, wonderfully supportive and very respectful of my writing while suggesting that I take out the crazy parts. Their writing is exquisite, so getting a new ms from one of them is like Christmas.
I found Cathy through Charlotte Dillon’s listserve RWC. If I recall correctly, every other week she ran “want ads” for CPs. I advertised and Cathy answered. Does anyone know if Charlotte’s still doing this?
I found Vicki through the PRO loop. I thought she was funny so I e-mailed her and asked her to trade mss with me. It was maybe 6 months before she would send me anything because her husband was convinced I was a crazy who wanted to sell her manuscript on e-Bay.
I’m one of the “does not play well with others” writers who rather likes the solitary aspect of this profession. I depend on my beta readers, who view my finished first draft, to tell me if I’ve got any major plot holes or continuity errors or I’ve rigged the ship wrong again.
May I suggest looking into RWA Online http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/ for help? It’s my RWA chapter and it’s full of helpful people, and you don’t have to attend meetings.
Wow. Interesting how prevailing a problem this is. I have the problem of “gushers” or “enablers”. They gush over how great my stuff is and have no concrete advice and can’t find a typo if it stood up on tiptoes and bit them on the nose. They cheer you on, enabling you to make the same mistakes over and over. There are days I can’t see the forest for the trees with my writing and no matter how much I beg to the contrary, they tell me what they think I want to hear. I want a critique, not a fan club. How can I write better if I don’t know what I’m doing wrong?
As for RWA, I attended a local meeting as a guest a few years ago and was rather put off by the cliques that formed as people walked in the door. I’m WAAAAY too old for that high school shit. I declined to join both the group and RWA. Since then, a second chapter has formed around here and once RL calms down a bit so I can invest time in meetings, I’ll likely join RWA and check out that chapter.
But re: a CP? For now, I’ve given up and decided to go it alone and hope my gut instincts are good enough to keep me from making a complete fool of whatever meager talent I might have. Hang in there, SA. If there’s a will, there’s a way. *headdesks* I can’t believe I just yanked that old chestnut out of my…mouth.
Silver, in my experience, RWA chapters are really different from each other. If you didn’t enjoy one, you might like another, or you might enjoy the first one a few years later when some of the membership has changed. Likewise, the dynamics on listserves, both inside and outside RWA, are wildly different. Wander around enough and you’ll find your peeps.
I’d try Absolute Write. Hang around in the Romance genre forum and Share Your Work forum for a little while and you’ll soon see who’s serious and who you think you could get on with. Then send them a PM and ask.
S.A. – I’m sardonically witty, serious about writing, and I need a critique partner too. I’ll do you if you’ll do me. If you want a sample of my writing, take a look at entry #5 in the DA BWAHA contest (posted March 6). It’s only 200 words, but hey. If that’s enough to win a load of dirty diapers, it should suffice to get me a CP.
I’d try Absolute Write. Hang around in the romance genre forum and Share Your Work for a while and you’ll soon see who’s serious and who you think you’ll get on with. Then send them a PM and ask.
I’d try Absolute Write (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums) Hang around in the romance genre forum and Share Your Work for a while and you’ll soon see who’s serious and who you think you’ll get on with. Then send them a PM and ask.
Jennifer, ain’t that the truth, though? The new group has several published writers and I’m looking forward to at least meeting them and getting their take on “the business”. I have one graduating from college this spring so I might just have some spare funds for a change. I’ll join RWA this summer and start hanging around the back of the room playing sponge. I’ll also check out the online chapter of RWA as suggested by Darlene.
I’m in a group…the butterscotch martini girls.
www.butterscotchmartinigirls.com
Known by this name because of our love for the drink…and chat…and upbuilding association.
I love my group, but last year I moved away from them and it’s much harder not to have the face-to-face, along with the martinis. They’re still there when I need them, but I find it more difficult, because we’re a big group, to critique everyone’s work. Plus I’ve had personal issues. But what really helps is knowing I have them.
Don’t give up…someone is waiting for you.
Brit
And if you don’t find anyone…email me. I write sweet historical romance under another name for a NY publisher.
Brit – who cannot abide the prospect of someone alone out there…
I’m pretty lucky to have an awesome crit group. Most of us met on the Romance board of OnlineWritingWorkshop.com. When it went defunct (well, a little before, because we could see which way the wind was blowing) we created a Yahoo group for ourselves.
There’s about half a dozen of us and we’ve all got our talents. I’ll find your typos, Carrie’s awesome with character motivation, Kel’s the continuity expert, etc. Not to say we all write the same or anything – I’m pretty sure one person thinks I cuss waaaay too often. Having a group rather than a partner makes for good ebb and flow: at any given time *someone* is ready and willing to help, even when you’ve drifted away for a year ‘cause you’ve let real life get in the way. We’ve picked up members along the way, some have drifted off for good, but there’s always been a core that seems pretty rock solid.
Can you tell I lurve ‘em? 😀
I guess I’m kinda echoing the advice above – haunt a larger list for a while, and look for a person or persons who appeal to you and hit ‘em up. Ya never know what’ll happen.
I’ve never been able to find a CP for many of the same reasons other people gave. Then I hear about all the people who have wonderful, warm fuzzy CPs and feel like I must be missing out on something big… but it seems like it’s one of those things that happens naturally or doesn’t.
Kate
I’ve noticed significant numbers of successful writers list their critique group on acknowledgement/dedication page. For writers that have found the chemistry that works, it seems to be very positive.
Also noticed multiple published authors in the same group, so I assume true critique & improvements are flowing for all members of said group.
No idea how one finds a compatable group/partner. A family friend wants my hubby to critique his work, so not our skill group. I keep insisting he needs to find one of these peer groups.
Hey, S.A., I don’t think you sound like an ass at all. It’s hard to find somebody with the temperament to give you positive constructive criticism … someone who will tell you what works, what doesn’t work, why they think it does or doesn’t work, and suggestions for how you might fix things, WITHOUT making it a personal attack.
That’s what you want after all … someone with some skill in the craft of writing historical romance fiction who will be honest without being bitchy or brutal.
You might try reading blogs or forums of writers who do similar types of writing to yours. You might find someone through those forums who will enjoy your “voice” and be an effective critiqu-er.
Good luck!
Aww, here I came to delurk on this thread and brag on the amazingness of my CPs, only to find one of them’s beaten me to it. Ditto everything CM (the Golden Heart finalist!) said.
You know, I was thinking about this the other day when someone asked me about how to find a CP. I was astoundingly lucky to connect with my CPs the way I did, and I don’t know how I could have found them otherwise.
So much of what makes a CP relationship successful is what makes any relationship successful – personal chemistry, mutual respect, similar goals.
I was thinking, maybe there should be something like CP speed-dating at RWA National or chapter meetings. Like, you bring five pages of your writing and you go around the room, round-robin style, spending a few minutes chatting with each person, another few minutes exchanging pages for a quick read. Then at the end, you indicate on a form if you’d be interested in swapping contact info with any of them, and a coordinator cross-checks for matches.
But that’s probably more complicated than it needs to be… and wouldn’t help someone who doesn’t attend conference or chapter meetings.
The Butterscotch Martini Girls started late in ‘03 with none of us published and a couple of fresh newbies. Four of the original five are multi-published now.
At present, there are eight of us and six are multi-published. It comes from having a positive “can do-will do” attitude.
I agree wholeheartedly with the original post and the comments here. I think that joining a big online critique group in the beginning is great because it helps you get used to criticism, and in some cases, can be very helpful. However, you get trolls, people who start critiques by saying, “I don’t read romance, but…” and the list goes on and on *sigh* Very frustrating, indeed!
I do highly recommend Absolute Write because you can both share your work and post an ad for a CP. I’ve seen a lot of the critiques that have come through and they’re for the most part, excellent. I’d be as picky as possible because this is a career you’re looking at; not a hobby. You want to have quality “consultants” working with you, and I don’t think you should settle for anything but the best fit for you.
Something else that I would like to bring up is this: I have had a CP for over a year now, somebody whose work I have gone over with a fine tooth comb, spent hours brainstorming with, and months helping her get her story ready for submission. I have invested a LOT of time in this person’s work because she needed the help and I thought she was serious about getting published. She has submitted her MS to ONE AGENT in the last four or five months, got very upset at her rejection, and then moved on to the next book, expecting me to start the process over with that one, and complained that writing query letters was too hard. I helped her with the first few chapters of the next book, but told her that I have my own writing to do and stuck to the limit. I haven’t told her yet that I’m not willing to put so much time and effort into something she doesn’t seem to be serious about again, but I have a feeling that will have to be my next step if she asks again. Has anyone had an experience similar to this? What did you do?
The idea of ever again trying to find a critique partner makes me cringe—I’m kinda snake-bit by the first two I had.
Maybe you need to find someone who is a reader, like a reviewer. Someone who has read a lot of books, all types who can spot problems and such. I proofread for a little while before I moved to reviewing. I would love to write but I realized that at this point in my life I want to enjoy other peoples’ efforts and when my kids go to school I will have the time to devote to my dream. I would love to develop a working relationship with someone and help their dream come true and when my time comes maybe they could help me.
I wonder if it is a sign since my word was quality67?
It was maybe 6 months before she would send me anything because her husband was convinced I was a crazy who wanted to sell her manuscript on e-Bay.
HA! Poor Jenn. I’m so glad she didn’t give up on me. She emailed me about being CPs, and I said, “I don’t do CPs. No hard feelings.” But Jenn seduced me, slowly but surely. First we became friends. Then we exchanged some of our work. “But not for critique!” I cried. “Just fun, okay?” And then, before you know it, we were going all the way and I couldn’t get enough of her.
Seriously, I wouldn’t be where I am without her, and that’s the truth. A good CP can push you places you weren’t sure you could go. (Wait, I thought I was done with the sexual imagery.) So I’d agree with the previous poster who said that it’s all about chemistry.
Oh, and don’t mistake someone who doesn’t take life seriously for someone who isn’t serious about her work. *wink* <== Look, I even use asterisks!!!
Good beta readers / critique partners are worth their weight in gold. And yes, as you’ve found, it’s crucial to find people who are dead serious about honing their craft and therefore who want to both give and receive absolutely honest feedback. Half the time my crit partners and I end our critiques by saying “Don’t hate me! I’m only hard on you because I want this to be great!” And usually the other one says, “That wasn’t harsh, that was great!” But it’s taken time to build up enough trust for us to do that for each other. (I’m tempted to launch into a long digression here about women and the kinds of interactions imbedded in our default programming and how we have to break past those barriers to get to the useful stuff, but I’ll restrain myself.)
It’s also important to find people who have some of the tools to actually see when your structure is flawed, when a characterization is flat, etc. And for that, well… you just have to experiment. Try out more than one or two readers, see who has that kind of analytical ability. And then hang onto them for dear life.
Re. finding the crit partners: I’ve been lucky; I’m part of a group of writer friends who all met ages ago on a screenwriting listserv. I’ve also picked up one or two more along the way. But I’d suggest that when you meet a writer, either online or in person, and think, “I like the way that person thinks,” ask if you can look at her work. If you like her writing, you may like her critique style.
Also, a friend of mine recently joined Critique Circle and says she got some very good feedback there. It looks to me like they’re very genre-friendly. And if you write romantic suspense / romance with a strong mystery element, you can look into the Sisters in Crime Guppies; they have a good rep for intelligent crits.
Good luck, don’t give up, and what a great question!
It’s not just in romance that finding a good CP is a problem. I’m working on a romantic suspense novel at the moment, but have been writing mysteries for years. In the mystery field, the problems are all exactly the same ones I’ve seen mentioned here.
I have two “writing partners” that I write with and occasionally share snippets with, but we don’t read for critique—we’re just there to urge each other to keep at it. I’ve yet to find a critique partner I could work well with.
Any romantic suspense authors out there looking for a serious, hard-working CP?
I’m an avid reader, and would like to write, once I settle down. I am interested in learning more about the business before jumping out there on my own. I guess this is along the same lines as Leslee’s post, but my spamword isn’t as inspired: march44.
If you’re interested, or another poster is, please email me. I’d like to start out with someone I *know*…and I prefer Smart Bitches.
I’ve just GOT to say, I’ve been writing romance for four years, not counting the dabbling I did as a young adult. I have heard nothing but ‘historicals are dead’ from so many people that I want to tear my hair out and destroy NY with laser beams from my pink and curvy arse. Despite being a member of a well known, er, writers club, I couldnt’ find anyone therein who had a feel and understanding for historicals. Erotica, paranormals, yeah sure, but not historicals. My first non fict sub was pubbed; my first three romance queries were full requests, plus one contest final. I *know* I can do this but without someone to really get down and dirty with me my writing is going fricking nowhere.
My books are very cerebral but drawing; I need help with plotting, and the quality of my writing needs to improve. I’ve taken umpteen writing courses, editing courses, and something just ain’t gellin’.
Whaa! Whaa! Help me, Oh Bitches, before I forgo membership to that ‘writers club’ and give in to total despair!
Like lots of other posters here, I had a few bad experiences (and one truly scary one) before finding the right fit. My CPs and I came together basically because we had all had trouble in the past with crit groups. One problem we had all faced was finding people willing to critique gay erotic romance. That problem is dwindling, but is still there, and two or three years ago it was a read PITA.
Two of my CPs and I all worked on an anthology together a couple of years ago, and we learned in the process that we all mesh well together in the critique process. We asked a few other authors we knew to join us, and now we have a group of eight. Each of us have different strengths when it comes to critiquing, which is very helpful. We’re all very honest with each other. I trust my CPs absolutely to tell me if there’s a problem, large or small, with something I write, and to do their best to help me work it out, and I do the same for them. As my editor says, friends don’t let friends write shit, and these girls are some of my dearest friends in the world.
All that is pretty much to say, the best crit partnerships seem to form via serendipity more than anything. Try different groups, see how you fit with them, and keep moving on when the fit isn’t right. Either you’ll eventually find the right group, or you’ll form it yourself. Or maybe you’ll learn that you’re one of those people who works best alone. Whichever it is, S.A., I wish you luck 🙂
All that is pretty much to say, the best crit partnerships seem to form via serendipity more than anything.
No kidding! I met mine on a television fan board and we were friends for ages before either of us let the other look at her writing.
At the time, she was writing historical paranormals and I was working on my romance/women’s fiction. These days, she writes erotic romance, including M/M and I’m writing YA while still trying to break in with the women’s fic.
So yeah, obviously, the trust factor is huge in a good CP relationship.
And I’ll also step up and say that Jenn Echols gives good beta. 😉
At the time, she was writing historical paranormals and I was working on my romance/women’s fiction.
Good point, Barb. When I met Jenn, I was writing historical and paranormal. She was writing YA and rom comedy. So it definitely has little to do with genre. The key for me is that we get each other.
One other thing… Personally, I think it’s key you have your own writing voice firmly in place before you start working with a critique group or even a partner. There are plenty of Jenn’s suggestions that I don’t take, and vice versa.
I found three of mine via eharlequin. I used to hang out in the struggling writer’s thread. Two have dropped by the wayside but we’re still good friends 🙂 I also crit with a couple girls in my chapter and another writer I met online and fell in love with after I judged her GH entry a few years back.
I think some if it goes to chance….getting out there and meeting other writers and having the balls to ask. Good luck!
I’m chiming in here as another member of the Butterscotch Martini Girls critique group.
A critique partner is invaluable if you can find a group that pushes you to grow, pushes you to be your best and you can trust them to kick you in the butt when you need it, and tell you like it is. My BMG’s are an invaluable and much appreciated part of my writing career!
Tina
No CP either. Good thing I’m okay with being anti-social.
I think finding a critique partner could be very useful, although I’ve not had it work successfully for me yet.
This occasion seems different, however, in that you all appear to be intelligent.
On the off-chance that any of you are looking for a critiquing partner from within the genre and with similar tastes and expectations to that of the original poster and myself – ie that there will be deadlines, expectations, and eventual follow through to publication-level quality, I’ve taken the liberty of insta-creating a livejournal community.
It’s called smartbitchcrit, and if you do a search for it at http://www.livejournal.com it should come up – although it’s only existed for a few seconds at the moment, so it may need some grace.
Hopefully this will provide an easier way to get in touch with fellow potential critique partners, shop around and get to know if your styles seem compatible. Because otherwise I’d be emailing everyone on this list who’s offered, and I’ve no idea which to start with.
Cheers, Amanda