Partners in Words

I think Alice had an excellent idea last week. So excellent that I want to do the same. I have the most awesome critique partners ever and to a writer, that's important.

I met Beckie on an author's blog. Maggie Steifvater was holding a Critique meetup for writers who needed partners. I thought to myself, why not? I wasn't quite where I needed to be, novel-wise, but it wouldn't hurt to start a relationship.

So I posted my "call" and Beckie answered! (I was checking out another potential partner too, but she didn't work out.) I connected with Beckie, her writing was great, and she was euthisastic. I had never met someone who was so excited about writing as I was; refreshing.

With my writing, Beckie helps me keep in mind that I need to be better at showing/explaining. I have to remember that my readers can't see the stuff in my head unless I write it properly. She often points out character issues or when she's confused by what's going on.

She also helps remind me of the end goal: Publication. Whenever I'm in my "Don't worry about the boring aspect of writing, because what matters is the story and the quality of writing, everything else can wait" moods, Beckie listens to my opinions and then firmly continues to keep us on track with our goal of authordom. Without her, I doubt I would know as much about the other side of being an author as I do.

My other partner, Alice, I met through Beckie. She asked if she could bring in another person, and I had not problem with that. And after I read a piece of Alice's writing, I knew she had to be a part of this and make our duo a trio.

She keeps me on track with grammar (for I am horrible at it) and continuity. A lot of times I decide to switch something in my story unconciously or forget a detail and Alice is there to remind me. She often envokes me to think about what my characters are actually doing and if it makes sense. And my tenses. Those she often points out as well, thankfully.

Both of my critique partners are great writers in their own right, and I'm glad that they are my partners, dedicated to helping me become the best writer I can be. As I do for them. Not saying I always agree with them, for you can ask either of them and I'm hundred percent sure that they will tell you I'm quite the rebel when it comes to some writing aspects. I'm often the one saying "um no," or typing out long explaining emails why I did something the way I did it. (And then I realize that if I had to explain it that means I didn't write it well enough and I better go back and re-write it)

But without my critique partners my current novel would never would have been written. Nor would it be as well-written. I wish every author had such sweet, awesome, amazing, well-read partners as I.