by Chris Redding
What can I say about critique partners? I had one set, when I first began writing who were terrible. They kept rewriting my stuff in their style. They also gave me the advice that I should start writing category romance.
NOT.
I don’t write category. There is NOTHING wrong with category romance. I just don’t write that way. I write darker stuff. Not a lot of description or angst.
The next group I was part of met once a month on a Friday. We’d have pizza. The hostess’ husband was a character that we actually learned a lot from. I kind of miss Al. And Ann, of course, our hostess.
I learned a LOT in this critique group. And I acquired a very thick skin about my writing. (Thanks Irene)
I would not be published without them.
There are some writers who never show their work to beta readers. Not me. I don’t trust my writing enough. I appreciate at least one other set of eyes on my stuff.
These days I am in a smaller critique group. We all write different stuff. One writes category. The other writes more science fiction type romances. We’ve not only helped each other, but we’ve become fast friends. We have seen each other through some crappy times.
And I trust them implicitly with my work. I don’t always do what they suggest, but if I’m not sure, I will err on the side of doing what they suggest.
Everyone should have confidants in their lives. I’m lucky to have two.
Cathi and Kathy have kept me from quitting. They’ve kept me on track. They’ve cheered my successes and I’ve been glad to cheers theirs.
As a write, do you use a critique partner?
As a reader, do you find you seek out the same person when you need advice?
Chris Redding lives in New Jersey with her husband, two kids, one dog and three rabbits. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. When she isn’t writing, she works part time for her local hospital teaching CPR.
Excerpt from Blonde Demolition:
He was right. She just didn’t want the cop to die. “Move, Officer. The bomb’s under the dragon ride.”
As if not used to taking orders from civilians, he hesitated.
Trey flipped open his identification badge. “Cordon off the area.”
“Who are you?”
“Never mind. Just do it,” Mallory said.
The authority in her voice mobilized him. Trey pulled her backwards to where they’d parked their car.
He jumped into the driver’s seat while she buckled her seat belt. They drove away at a reasonable speed, while Mallory’s heart was doing double time.
A wave of nausea passed over her.
“I’m too old for this stuff.”
Trey chuckled. “You’re younger than I am.”
She glanced at him. “Yeah, then maybe you’re too old for this.”
“Maybe.”
Buy Links for Blonde Demolition
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7olwvhs
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104247
Other books by Chris Redding
Corpse Whisperer
The Drinking Game
Confessions: Volume One
Incendiary
A View to a Kilt
Chris Redding on the Web:
http://chrisredddingauthor.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/chrisreddingauthor
