Techniques for Exceptional Critique Partner Performance
Forging constructive partnerships in writing involves a certain degree of vulnerability, yet offers numerous benefits. In this guide, we outline eight essential strategies to thrive as a critique partner and foster relationships with fellow writers that they appreciate.
Creating a Successful Collaboration
Setting Clear Expectations
Begin by Clearly Defining Goals: Be explicit about your desired feedback and your partner's expectations, too. Specify your focus areas – developmental edits or line edits—and ask for specific feedback in areas of concern or provide a list of questions you hope your partner will answer. Additionally, share the context of your submission, such as whether it's the first pages of a book, a climactic moment from a series, or a recent writing prompt. This information helps your partner provide tailored feedback that propels your work forward.
Establishing Deadlines (and Adhering to Them)
Set both writing and reading deadlines to ensure consistency within the partnership. Clearly communicate the date of your work submission and the deadline for reading and providing feedback. Allow yourself enough time to read carefully, take notes, and even re-read if necessary for thoroughness. Once the deadlines are set, strive to honor them, as your dependability influences your partner's actions.
Finding Common Ground
Successful collaborations stem from shared foundations. Identify the writing techniques, craft books, and methodologies both you and your partner follow. These often come with unique terminologies, making it easier to communicate the nuances of storytelling and writing with your partner.
Reading Within Your Genre
Good critique partners excel in offering examples. Familiarize yourself with award-winning and bestselling books in your genre, studying how your favorite authors create characters, build worlds, and plot stories. This knowledge can both inspire your own work and serve as a touchstone when evaluating your partner's work.
Maintaining a Positive Tone
Although you're not required to pretend to enjoy a partner's work, be tactful in your critique. Focus on finding positives, such as aspects you liked or questions you had. The "sandwich" approach can be helpful in this regard: offer a compliment, followed by constructive criticism, and conclude with another compliment.
Offering Specific Feedback
Be as specific as possible when providing feedback. Rather than saying the plot dragged, explain where exactly you found yourself skimming—for instance, the description at the beginning of page 6 that appears heavy on exposition. Constructive comments are more helpful than general ones.
Accepting Feedback with Grace
Remember, your partner is trying to help. Approach their feedback with an open mind, giving them the benefit of the doubt that they strive to provide honest, supportive feedback. If you find yourself feeling defensive, pause before responding. Instead, listen attentively, take notes, and subsequently revisit their feedback to find valuable insights.
Reviewing Past Work
From time to time, take a moment to reflect on your and your partner's progress. Re-read your initial submission and note any improvements. Do the same for your partners' work, acknowledging their advances and celebrating their success.
Finding a Critique Partner in Our Community
A rewarding, supportive, and nurturing writing experience can be yours within our community of writers from around the world. If you seek a critique partner or group, as well as beta readers, investigate the thriving our community where serious and ambitious writers gather, sharing struggles and triumphs to achieve their writing goals.
Developing your character, revising your plot, and fostering personal growth are integral aspects for successful collaboration. When setting clear expectations, discuss your desired feedback and indicate focus areas such as character development or education-and-self-development, ensuring your critique partner can offer tailored feedback to propel your work forward. Additionally, in your pursuit of an education-and-self-development, seek critiques from partners within our community of ambitious writers who can offer examples based on their knowledge of award-winning books and effective storytelling techniques in the genre of your work.
