This weekend I want to give out a shout of appreciation to my critique partners. I have had critique partners for a few years now, but up until that point I worked alone, with no first reader and no critique partner. I have to say I find that incomprehensible now.
My critique partners help with editing, restructure
of sentences and, more importantly, make me think deeper and harder. A critique
partner should not only improve your writing, they should also make you
understand your story a lot better too.
I didn’t realize how much of me I put into
my stories until I had critique partners.
I’ve come to realize that the theme or
message of my stories is often very similar. My main issue seems to be trust.
What it takes for my protagonist to trust again after heartbreak, bereavement
or betrayal.
A fresh pair of eyes can spot your theme,
sometimes before you recognize it yourself. The advantage of knowing your theme
early on is huge. It means you will delve deeper into your character, bring
their heartfelt emotions onto the page and thus, give your reader a more
satisfying read.
Why? Because they will understand your
character’s deep-seated fear, the internal obstacles holding them back from
being the person they want to be. This is what is at the heart of a good story.
Think about your favorite books. I guarantee it was the characters internal
struggles that kept you turning the pages. When we pick up a book, we hope to
find something that resonates with us. Something that makes us think, feel, cry
or laugh. We want to travel with the character through an issue we understand.
However, if your critique partner is making
you uncomfortable or suggesting changes you really don’t agree with – that’s
fine too. Reach out for a new partner. I promise whether or not you find one
who fits, they will add something to your writing and go a long way to making
your work better than it was before.
I’d love to hear your experiences with
critique partners!
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