Strength in Numbers

five critique experiences I recommend for every writer

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you should let people read your work.

Photo by Kenrick Mills on Unsplash

That’s right, your work as it stands now. That scary, unpolished, tornado of a thing. Even if you’re mortified by the idea and would rather go to the grocery store naked. Even when you’re questioning absolutely everything about what you can only describe as a hot mess. Especially then. Hot messes are so much more palatable with good company.

Writing has a stringent reputation for being a “lonely” profession, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be. In fact, I’ve found the writing community at large to be bursting with kind, loyal, generous people who make for not only thoughtful, capable artists, but wonderful friends and supports on this daunting quest to write something worth reading, and maybe even publish it.

Lately I’ve been a tad overcommitted with my critique life. I am part of a writing group where I read and critique for three other women, and continue to exchange work regularly with my critique partner, Sophie. I’m also serving as a mentor through WFWA (the Women’s Fiction Writers Association) and have spent the last few months reviewing novel pages and query materials for my mentee. Right now I have over 20,000 words I have committed to read and critique for others within the next week or so.

If you’re thinking this is a lot—it is. But while I’m trying to keep my number of commitments in check and recognize that it cuts (sometimes quite deeply) into my own writing time, I can also feel myself growing and becoming sharper in my own writing from all the time I’m pouring into others’ work and allowing them to pore over mine.

Reading others’ work with an eye for what’s working, what’s not, and why works the same critical muscles that I aim to apply to my own writing, yet somehow it can be hard to see our own words so clearly, particularly when we’re emotionally invested and have sunk more time into a project than we care to admit.

Just as I often have an easier time accessing my feelings about someone else’s work than my own, I think the same is likely true for others’ first impressions of my work. There’s nothing like fresh, objective eyes to tell you what’s thrilling your reader, and what’s boring or confusing them. These things might be hard to hear, but I promise you want honest critique partners. I have had readers rip my work to shreds and I have ripped others’ work to shreds. But when you’re in it together with someone you respect and trust, it makes the criticism easier to swallow.

We’re all just trying to lift each other up and make the work the best it can be. And I would so much rather have my mistakes and missteps brought to my attention now, by someone I know and trust, than from some stranger review-bombing me on Amazon once my book is out in the world.

There are five critique experiences I recommend every writer try:

1. Join a critique group! (Don’t know where to start? Bianca Marais’s Great Beta Reader Match Up is an excellent resource!) Not only will you get multiple sets of eyes on your work-in-progress which can be really helpful in identifying feedback patterns, but there’s also something really valuable in witnessing how others talk about someone’s writing and frame their critique.

2. Writing BFF/critique partner:
   As many of you know, I found my Sophie last year—someone I met through shared writing community connections on Instagram and who has proven to be not only a priceless, like-minded critique partner, but just all-around the best surprise of a new midlife friendship. I’ve always found Sophie and myself to be well-matched as both writers and critique partners for each other. It can take a while to find that person, but it’s worth its weight in gold when you do!

3. Mentor/teacher/writing coach:

   Another person I’ve been fortunate to have reading and critiquing my work for years is my teacher-turned- writing coach, Beth. She has decades of writing instruction experience under her belt, and never fails to provide caring, careful feedback on my work that is equal parts honest, encouraging, and illuminating. I so value the measured perspective and craft expertise that Beth brings to her reading of my work.

4. Round robin style critique - in person!

   The most magical part of a pretty magical time spent reading, writing and simply sharing space with four writer friends at a retreat I attended in Colorado last month was sharing our work aloud in an intimate living room circle. Hearing each person read their own words and having the others provide their responses to it in real time was something truly sacred and special, that I don’t think writers in this digitally connected age make time for often enough.

5. Give back

   When I can swing it, I will offer to read query letters or opening pages by writers whom I feel I could help, teach or encourage in some way. I’ve never gotten paid for this work, but it’s simply felt like the right thing to do, to pay it forward as so many have done for me. I would not be where I am without the people who’ve paused their busy lives to teach me something, invite me to something, put in a good word for me, or read something I wrote and provide valuable feedback. I want to be that person for other writers when I am able.

If you’re a writer, who reads and critiques your work in its fragile early stages? How has having these people in your life changed you as a writer? I’d love to hear!

CURRENTLY READING:

I just finished Sylvia’s Second Act by Hillary Yablon, and it was a DELIGHT. Like a mash-up of Sex and the City and Golden Girls— I couldn’t get enough of its wry, snarky humor, outrageous plot debacles, and fierce celebration of friendship, self-love and starting over at any age. A fun and fast read, perfect for this sunny outdoor reading weather we’re getting more of!

CURRENTLY WATCHING:

When I had strep throat a few weeks ago I started watching The Big C, a Showtime series starring Laura Linney whom I’ve always enjoyed, from her Love Actually days to her Ozark run. Here she plays an uptight mom and school teacher who throws all the rules out the window when she discovers she has cancer and decides to keep it a secret. It’s a heartfelt, fresh and honest comedy/drama. I am only on the first season but so far I give it a big A.

As always, thanks for reading!

Beth