tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post1594203604173729769..comments2024-03-12T21:24:23.240-04:00Comments on Emily Bryan Romance: Finding a Critique BuddyEmilyBryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-79857270177739835562010-03-07T13:24:04.896-05:002010-03-07T13:24:04.896-05:00I think it would be very useful, Emily. I have nev...I think it would be very useful, Emily. I have never been involved in formal critiquing. I would like to learn more.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-48686292609624833232010-03-07T11:57:27.504-05:002010-03-07T11:57:27.504-05:00Glynis--I had an online critique partner for a num...Glynis--I had an online critique partner for a number of years, the fabulous Darcy Carson. We still talk on the phone and occasionally exchange work, but not every week anymore. She's still got the critique group we met in and I have Ashlyn here now, so we're getting feedback on our work elsewhere but the friendship remains.<br /><br />I would not be published without Darcy. She gave me kicks in the pants and kept me writing when I was tempted to give up.<br /><br />I'm thinking I need to do a post on how to critique. Do you think that would be useful?EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-72057070371368346912010-03-07T11:52:34.116-05:002010-03-07T11:52:34.116-05:00Mary Ann--I don't think of critique as critici...Mary Ann--I don't think of critique as criticism. I think of it as helpful suggestions. The first rule of writing is: be clear. If my critique partner isn't getting the picture I'm trying to paint, she needs to tell me and I'll figure out a way to express myself more clearly. We catch spelling, grammar mistakes, missing words, etc. We red flag dialogue that doesn't sound quite right. And we praise each other when something's working. <br /><br />We focus on the nuts and bolts of the writing, not the distinctives of our subgenre.EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-41186496571677746412010-03-07T10:08:10.851-05:002010-03-07T10:08:10.851-05:00I have an online writer friend and we run things b...I have an online writer friend and we run things by each other. We have never met, our backgrounds are very different, but we just click.<br />She will be the first to read my ms,I was for hers. I know she will be honest. She is an editor too, so that is an added bonus. We are both Brits, so that helps with the proofreading.<br />I love the difference between you and your partner, how lovely to meet for supper too. I would love to find a flesh and blood one here in Cyprus, then I would have the best of both worlds.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-76711816170875036132010-03-06T19:45:25.263-05:002010-03-06T19:45:25.263-05:00Thankkyou for your post, Emily.
I wish I could fi...Thankkyou for your post, Emily.<br /><br />I wish I could find a critique partner, and for a while I tried. Then I realized I'd better forget it. <br /><br />Sure, I could use one. But it's a two-way street. My criticism of another writer's work would be worthless. It's useful only if the critic is representative of the writer's target readership. I can't even pretend to be representative of any group. <br /><br />Looks like I'll have to go it alone. But I'm happy for those of you who find good critique partners and benefit from the relationship.<br /><br />Keep up the good work!Mary Anne Landershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01846610621610508819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-60396103207670837982010-03-06T09:46:38.119-05:002010-03-06T09:46:38.119-05:00Pat--Even if we wrote the same subgenre, I don'...Pat--Even if we wrote the same subgenre, I don't think of it as competing for readers. Romance readers are voracious. I've met some who read a book a day! No writer can keep up with that. They need lots of us.EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-13361962300874405162010-03-06T09:44:36.066-05:002010-03-06T09:44:36.066-05:00Jane--Are you a member of a local RWA chapter or o...Jane--Are you a member of a local RWA chapter or other writer's group? That's where Ashlyn and I met. And where I met my critique group in Seattle. <br /><br />If there's no RWA, you might try your librarian. They would probably know of writers or writer groups in your area.EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-39762010857212823912010-03-06T09:42:26.165-05:002010-03-06T09:42:26.165-05:00Thanks, Anonymous (aka Ashlyn Chase)
Evidently sh...Thanks, Anonymous (aka Ashlyn Chase)<br /><br />Evidently she couldn't convince the blogger gods to let her sign in!EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-53657003773468113142010-03-06T00:36:44.701-05:002010-03-06T00:36:44.701-05:00It actually sounds like the perfect mix. You are ...It actually sounds like the perfect mix. You are not competing for the same audience. Since you write in different genre, you can look at each other's work with a very fresh eye.librarypatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-49586672338672614712010-03-05T23:39:33.953-05:002010-03-05T23:39:33.953-05:00I have had a really hard time finding a crit partn...I have had a really hard time finding a crit partner. I am almost convinced I won't. I keep looking! Someday hopefully the right person or group will come alomg!Jane Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-43452525479732040352010-03-05T16:50:52.959-05:002010-03-05T16:50:52.959-05:00Hi Diana,
I know you're just in the next room...Hi Diana,<br /><br />I know you're just in the next room taking a break, but I had to read what you said about me! LOL.<br /><br />Thank you for your kind words. I have to say I've benefitted immensly from your input, opinions and experince as well.<br /><br />An open mind is a beautiful thing.<br /><br />Viva la differance!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-12478000333646257222010-03-05T14:48:30.833-05:002010-03-05T14:48:30.833-05:00Sounds like you've got a great line up of writ...Sounds like you've got a great line up of writing buddies, Anna. <br /><br />I had a terrific critique group when I lived in Seattle. The strength of a group is that everyone brings something different to the table. I miss them all so much!EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-51142808527114289982010-03-05T09:42:07.712-05:002010-03-05T09:42:07.712-05:00I like a good blend of similarities and difference...I like a good blend of similarities and differences. I have an online critique/brainstorm partner; we've never met in person, but we 'get' each other and that's what matters. I write historical, she writes futuristic. I'm a feeler, she's a thinker. She loves worldbuilding alien whatsihoosles, and I get hopelessly lost without a cheatsheet regarding same. She's very introverted, I am very extroverted. Her writing soundtrack is almost exclusively country; I am currently addicted to Right Said Fred. We are both Christian, but neither of us write inspirational at present. Strange brew, maybe, but it works. <br /><br />I am also a longstanding member of a group that meets weekly. There are three of us; one writes YA historical fiction, the other blends cozy mystery and romantic suspense into her own concoction. One is agnostic, another is Catholic, I'm non-denominational. We agree to disagree on politics, which is fine, because we're focused on our goals of writing commercial fiction and making careers in same. Again, we get each other and respect each other's voices.Anna Carrasco Bowlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10578980454918684962noreply@blogger.com