Okay, I must admit, I'm glowing today. Another writer said wonderful things about a read I did for him.
Sharing my work is hard. I like to edit my own work until my eyes bleed. But! I did lay it lovingly in the hands of other writers. Several times this year. And! Guess what? The best part about letting other writers read my work is that they might let me read theirs. Now that is fun.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful writers who let me read their WIP this year and who returned the expertise and read mine. I worked with some incredible talent, and each time it brought me, as a writer to reach new levels, to push myself a little further.
I really enjoy reading the drafts of other writers, more than this, I enjoy studying their work and how they saw mine! Studying a finished, published novel is one thing, studying a WIP is another. How and why they wrote things, where the plot was going, and how these word choices made me feel.
I got to get inside the wonderful minds of Liz, Robert, Reece, Richard, Torrie, Vicki, and Valentina. Each one is very different from the other and each one taught me something incredible about my own writing. So yup, it's been a busy year, but as part of the journey it wasn't only fun, I was lucky enough to pull a couple crit partners out of the deal and a few great friendships emerged. So next year will be just as interesting, I'm sure.
You get any useful feedback this year? Do you like getting a critique back or giving them out? Feel free to share, thank your posse, or just vent about how you can't let your work go until your eyes bleed.
Need a crit partner? Need a reader? If you don't write, do you want to be a reader? Everyone can play this game!
12 comments:
I love critique partners/beta readers. I think we should have a holiday named after them. =) All feedback I got were useful from awesome people. And thank you for being one of them. I'm always on the look out for a fresh pair of eyes.
My critique partner is a blessing. She seriously keeps me grounded and asks the questions that need to be addressed.
A critique is a gift.
Tanya, your advice to me was fantastic and helped me to see my characters in a whole new way. I feel very privileged that you have critiqued my work, and given me the chance to read yours.
I wish you every success.
Love
Valentina x
I think it is time for me to find a critique partner. It is a huge step for me...but I must do it.
Aww, thanks for the shout out and thanks. You're very very welcome! Your crits of my work have made me think about my writing in new ways and have really helped me deepen my characters.
So, anytime!
I belong to two really good groups and they've helped me grow so much as a writer. Also critiquing others' works has helped me grow, because one good thing about critiquing others' work is that you learn to read your own revisions with similar insight. Will be interested in learning more about what you are writing.
Hi Tanya,
I've awarded you an award on my blog.
Richard
Critique reading is a big responsibility and a help. I've only done it once so far and really enjoyed it. The author seemed pleased with the input I gave. I hope to be in need of readers eventually, but I've got to finish writing my work first.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
My crit buddies are golden! I think we make a great team! :)
Hi, Tanya. For years, when my kids were young, my critique group was "me-time" every week, and the benefit for my writing was huge. It's great there are now ways to connect online and in person. All the best to you with what you're doing.
I haven't really shown my writing to anyone, since I fall into the category of those who like to edit until the eyes are bleeding. :P
Crit partners are so critical to success!!! I've had some wonderful ones that have taught me so much - not just their feedback but crottomg their stuff too. I need to do a thank you post like this one.
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