The Art of Critique

Even if you write in a cave on the side of a mountain, eventually (if your plan is to be published) your work is going to be critiqued. That critique may come from a contest, a critique group or partner, an editor, and agent or a review. That's probably why it's good to develop that rhino hide early with a critique group. So let's chat about critique groups today.




I won't lie to you. You've got to kiss a lot of frogs to find the right group, that special chemistry that works for you. And...you may never find it. Or like Mr./Ms. Right you may click at first and then you drift apart. You have different goals or you've grown and changed but they haven't. Or you may simply fall out of love. It happens. 




 Let's talk about the types of  critique groups first:

1. Social: Since most critiquing is now done via email this group is disappearing. But for future reference let me define as I have often participated in this group. You gather and drink beverages and eat delicious treats, chat and gossip and oops you ran out of time to critique.



2. Pat you on the back: This type of group doesn't really critique. They don't know how. Often they are all new writers, so what happens is your pages have lots of smiley faces. That's all.


3. Yank your heart out:This group is all about the red pen. Complete focus on the negative and you end up with both your self-esteem and your pages in shreds.


4. Constructive Criticism: The balanced group. Give and take with the ability to point our your strengths and areas that need improvement.

And in every group you will occasionally stumble upon one of these very dangerous critiquers:

Be warned!

• The Rules Monitor-she knows everything and loves to tell you "the rules", often and loudly.

• The Voice Stealer-she is so generous she rewrites your entire book for you.

• The Hater-hates everything but offers no reason or constructive ideas for improvement.

Don't let the pitfalls discourage you. A good critique match is a truly a blessing. Hand and hand you help each other grow and move toward HEA (publication). 

How A Good Critique Group Should Work:
  
Accountability and critique are the goals, so as you start your group, also set some ground rules.

Decisions, decisions. Will you meet online or in person? How often will you meet/exchange pages? What is the turnaround time?Will you cap your group membership? How many pages will you sub? Is line editing expected? Must you bring fresh pages each time?

 I have found that keeping the group genre specific or even sub genre specific will  increase group productivity.

Some groups have rules that indicate that a member may only receive critique if they sub pages. Others drop members who do not sub pages according to the groups productivity quotas.  Anyone care to share rules your group has?

  How To Critique:

 The Sandwich Technique is the general guideline used for critique groups and for judging contests. Surround your constructive criticism meat with slices of positive reinforcement.


Additionally, avoid these phrases, YOU MUST, YOU SHOULD, YOU SHOULD NEVER. Because really, unless you are the GOD OF CRITIQUING there is no such thing as must, should, never.

Instead offer phrases such as, 'Please consider,' Think about this,' or 'Look at it this way.' 

 Newer writers need more positive reinforcement but you'll find as you mature you actually gloss over the compliments looking for the meaty critique comments, because you long to really dig deeper and improve your story.

Keep these elements in mind as you critique. Address them only if they confuse you or pull you out of the story. Don't critique just to critique. What you'll find is that you will most often address those topics that are or have been your own problem areas. Frankly, I've never understood this phenomena but it's true every time.

GMC

Characters and Characterization

Theme

Dialogue

Pacing

Voice

Setting

Historical Accuracy

Grammar and Spelling 

Synopsis

The beauty of a seasoned group is eventually you will discover everyone has a different eye. One member may be very good at line editing. Another member is helpful at plot storming. One might be a talented grammarian. Or maybe you have a POV goddess in your midst.

Here's an insider tip for when you first start critiquing. (also applicable on the contest judging circuit)

1.Comment unto others as you would like to be commented.

2. Always provide feedback with examples.

3. When dealing with a new writer, don't devastate them. Pick one or two areas and focus on that. POV and characterization for example. You didn't learn it all in one critique and neither will they. Don't leave them hopeless.


And a final note:  It's really a good idea not to allow critique partners to bring the same pages back to be critiqued for two reasons:

a. It forces them to keep writing and not just rewriting the same pages.

b. If the group never sees the pages again, it allows the writer not feel compelled to change something the group mentioned that they don't agree with AND prevents any member from being offended that their critique wasn't applied.  It also prevents critique group dependency.



 Which segues nicely to our next topic~

 Don't Become One of These Critique Partners:

• Fearful Writer -The writer who doesn't trust her voice. Everything she sends out must be critiqued and re-critiqued on and on. So at her tearful plea you are up until midnight reading pages for her and ignoring your own work.

•  First Pages Writer-The writer who keeps bringing the same pages back to group.You do that writer a disservice if you allow this.

• Defend the Work Writer-BUT! Always a but! Always a long explanation of why. Don't allow it, because the reader won't either.

I might be wrong but I think only one or two Seekers are in active critique groups though many if not all have Beta readers. A Beta reader is defined in detail here. It can be a critique partner, a trusted friend, a reader or fan who does a final read through.


Why many authors drift away from critique groups after publication:

1. Edtiorial critique comes first-Your editor really is your bottom line critique partner. Often it becomes frustrating after you sell to present things to your critique group and have them not understand what your editor wants. It can be more productive to eliminate the middle man.



2. Time constraints-Often the turnaround is so tight on projects or portions of projects there simply is no time for more than a quick read by a trusted Beta reader.



Many successful writers do not participate in critique groups. It's your choice.

But today in Seekerville, if you are actively looking for members for your online group, or if you want a partner or if you would like to start a group drop us a line at seekers at seekerville dot net and we'll see if we can match you up.

Keep in mind that the  FHL chapter of RWA  and ACFW also have critique groups and mentoring match ups for new writers.

Tell us about your critique group and if your group is chosen I'll gladly send them each a copy of my latest release, Mending the Doctor's Heart or if they have it a copy of Missy Tippens' Georgia Sweethearts, both April releases from Love Inspired.

And to one brave writer who says they want it, a first ten page critique(contemp, historical, YA, or WF). Winners announced in the Weekend Edition.

Please Welcome Debra Clopton!

Synopsis that Hook and Sell

by

Debra Clopton

Okay, I confess I’m a Pantser or an Organic writer ( I like this term very much)

Both terms mean that I get it done flying by the seat of my pants OR you could say; on a wing and lots of prayer!!! And believe me that is what I’m doing right now as I write this blog because believe me—blogs and I really don’t get along. But we all have to do what we aren’t good at sometimes and sooo here I am trying to explain my process on Seekerville—you poor poor people. Please bear with me!

As a pantser it is no surprise that I, like most writers HATE to write a synopsis.  Right, no surprise there. But guess what!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to write long blurbs! (or I guess you could call it a one page synopsis if my blurb runs long J)

Crazy sounding but true! (I also sometimes have a problem with controlling the need to use exclamation marks!) But really, moving forward here—truth is there is just something about coming up with a blurb of my book that turns me on—and that is what I want the thing to do to my editor and everyone else who has to view those paragraphs before the book is bought.  

See, if you can do that, inspire your editor to see the voice and excitement of the book then she can see the marketing potential of it…and that is the most important thing. They won’t buy something they don’t think they can market and sell. So pump up the volume and get excited!

Now, not all books sell on a short synopsis. Sometimes longer synopsis are required, I still write my short blurb first, get that excitement flowing and then use it as my outline and simply expand it. Trying hard to keep the excitement and flavor of that quick 3 or 4 paragraph blurb.

As an example I’ve included the very short blurb that sold my first 1800’s novella AN EVER AFTER SUMMER which will be in A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS anthology collection with Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy and Robin Lee Hatcher coming June 18, 2013

An Ever After Summer novella from A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS   

Texas 1870 July 

Debra Clopton

A born killer, Melvina Eldora Smith killed three people before the age of one: her mother giving birth, her father of a broken heart, her drunk uncle in front of a bar with a runaway buggy—her father and her uncle she’s not sure about, but Ellie’s aunt Millicent assures her all three deaths were Ellie’s doing. At the age of nineteen, determined to leave her bad luck behind, Ellie answers a Wife Wanted Ad from a lonely widowed rancher looking for love and a Godly mother for his baby...  

Widower Mathew McConnell’s Wife-Wanted ad leaves no room for misunderstandings—Widowed rancher looking for practical woman to keep house and be a mother to his baby girl—Bible believers need not apply. Mathew and God had parted ways the day Sophia’s mother died. Heart hardened, this is purely business, and he isn’t interested in a Bible believing, frilly woman trying to soften him up talking about God’s goodness!

Thanks to the meddlesome owner of the Hitching Post Catalogue, Mathew, desperate for a mother for his infant, doesn’t know what to do about the beautiful, Bible thumping mistake who gets off the train.

Ellie believes her bad luck has turned and its God’s plan all along for her to end up in Mathew’s life...and she aims to prove it to him—if her good luck holds out and she doesn’t kill him first!  

                                                      ---

There you go, a quick fast paced blurb. But—though small what did it tell you? 

It told the hook. It told the tone of the book, that it would be a fun story. It gave a flavor of my voice (as yours should showcase your voice). Word choice and hook are very important in getting that across. It also told you the goal and motivation of your hero and heroine. And it also told you the conflict of the book and how it comes between them to keep them apart. And then, it told you the ending…sort of anyway, with the last sentence! But that last sentence also promises fun and adventure along the way.

The behind the scenes of this blurb: After a day of struggling to come up with something this blub came to me in a matter of moments but only after I came up with my heroine’s name. (sometimes it just takes a trigger) Melvina Eldora’s name triggered my imagination and boom there it was. Does that happen every time—no. But when I give myself permission to have fun with a story no restrictions or worries about all the details that go into a longer synopsis my creative mind usually comes through quickly!  

The keys: Don’t stress. Enjoy yourself. Let yourself go.

Okay, so that’s how I do it. I checked out some awesome blogs here in the archives of Seekerville and boy did I find some great detailed ones here. As a Pantser this is the process that works for me and has sold for me since my first sale. I hope it sparks some ideas and helps someone out there J to do the same.

Happy Writing!!!!

I have a book out this month (May) Her Unforgettable Cowboy from Love Inspired it’s book 1 of my new Cowboys of Sunrise Ranch and next month (June) my first with Thomas Nelson Publishers in the mail order bride collection A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS. I hope you’ll check them out.

Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a copy of Her Unforgettable Cowboy

For chances to win books and prizes follow me on:

 http://www.facebook.com/debra.clopton.5

Check out my website and be sure to check out the contest page for a chance to enter each months prizes and receive newsletters at http://www.debraclopton.com

And follow me on http://www.twitter/@debraclopton

The Waiting Room with Guest Jan Drexler

All writers have one thing in common. We have a chair with our name on it in the waiting room.

It doesn’t matter if you’re multi-published, pre-published, award-winning, or just starting out, you know this room. There’s even a coffee mug with your name on it and your favorite brand of chocolate on the table next to your chair.

We wait for contest results, word from our publisher, feedback on that submission to our critique group…or we just wait for an idea that’s worth putting down on paper.

Even after we get good news, it’s just a gateway to more waiting! 

- Did you finally land your dream agent? You get to wait while she sends your manuscript out. 

- Did you finally sign that contract? You get to wait for edits, and more edits, and then your cover, and then your release date. 

- Has your book just been released? You wait for the reviews.…Has anyone read it? Does anyone like it? Anyone?

Since we’re always waiting, how does that affect our writing? Well, don’t let it. Put the waiting on the sidelines and keep moving ahead.

1)    Don’t get impatient!
 
When I get tired of waiting, I’m quick to jump on some well-meaning advice of what to do to make sure I get what I want right now! (Not unlike following the latest diet craze!) But before long, I’ve worn myself into the ground with a flurry of activity and worry.

I’ve learned not to let my impatience put myself ahead of God’s plan. Whenever I do, I remember Abraham and Hagar. As hard as it is, I need to wait on Him.

I’ve also learned to keep myself from getting lost in a frenzy of “should”. I should be blogging more, I should be on Facebook more, I should email that editor one more time….

But I know I need to wait on God. His timing is always perfect. Mine never is.

2)    Redeem the waiting time.

The time when I’m waiting is the time to keep working (and yes, I learned that tidbit right here on Seekerville!). Yes, I might have two manuscripts out there in the Never-Never land of the publishing world, but meanwhile, I’m still a writer. It’s time to start on that next project!

Another thing is to keep learning. I read, read, read, read, and read. I spend much more time reading than is good for the dust in my house or the piles of laundry. One thing I learned long ago is that in order to write well, you need to read well. So I read my targeted publishers. I read craft books. I read classics. I read for fun. 

When do I do all this reading? I schedule time for it. If I don’t make time, it won’t happen.

And I keep talking. I socialize with other writers whenever I can. 

But it isn’t easy – after all, like most writers, I’m an introvert. So I set some goals for myself: 

1-    Find (or create) a local writer’s group. 

2-    Join #1K1Hr on Facebook. 

3-    Visit Seekerville every day.

And yes, I’ve met those goals and am working to keep them going. We recently had the first meeting ever of the West River Christian Writers!
 

3)    Don’t let doubts slow you down.

Doubts and second guessing aren’t just for pre-published writers. Once I sold my story, they just kept on coming. 

What if I can’t do the edits? 

What if they never buy another book? 

What if….

I know if I let them, doubts will freeze my writing. I have to kill them.

How? I keep a document on my desk top called “to read when the going gets tough”. Whenever I get a bit of praise from someone, I copy it onto that document, date it, and include who said it. Whenever doubts start to drag at my feet, I read through those little snippets and I have the energy to start again.

But the most important way to keep doubts at bay is that I have a vision of what I want my writing to be, and I keep working toward that goal.

This is the most important part. God has called me, and you, to this task, has given us the talent, has provided the resources. Do you think He’s going to leave us treading water?

Maybe. Because the key to following God’s plan is to realize that we need to be willing to accept God’s plan as He ordains, not as we wish. His goal is to make us holy, just as He is holy. That may mean we tread water for a time. It may mean that we need to shift our goal, our audience, our dream. 

We may have a vision, but that’s only the “what”. The “how” is God’s business.

So here we are in the waiting room, ready to get the conversation going. Tell us, what are you waiting for, and how do you handle the waiting time?

I’ve set up the buffet this morning with strawberry shortcake and your choice of toppings, so help yourself! 

Jan Drexler, a recent graduate from Homeschool Mom-hood, devotes her time to the voices in her head who have been clamoring for attention during the last few decades. Instead of declining Latin nouns and reviewing rhetorical devices, her days are now spent at the computer where she gives her characters free rein. 

She lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband of thirty years, their four adult children, an extremely furry Husky, and Maggie, the cat who thinks she's a dog. If she isn't sitting at her computer living the lives of her characters, she's probably hiking in the Hills or the Badlands, enjoying the spectacular scenery.

You can reach Jan here:

Website: www.JanDrexler.com
Fun blog: yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com
Twitter: @JanDrexler
Facebook: Jan Drexler (author)
"Like" my page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/jandrexler

The Prodigal Son Returns

 Returning To His Amish Past

From her first glimpse of his big-city suit, Ellie Miller knows Bram Lapp is trouble. The handsome Englischer says he wants to reclaim the life he left long ago. Even if his smile disarms her, all of Ellie's energy must go to her children and their struggling farm…and to atoning for her mistakes.

A criminal's trail has brought FBI informant Bram to Ellie's warm and welcoming Indiana community. Now he's posing as the kind of man he once hoped to be. Someone steadfast and upright. Someone who might be worthy of Ellie. Because no matter how much she claims she doesn't want a second chance at love, he knows he's found the home they were meant to share.



Today Jan is giving away two copies of The Prodigal Son Returns, her debut release from Harlequin Love Inspired Historical. Be sure to comment and let us know you want your name in the bonnet. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.

Welcome Guest Lindi Peterson!

Missy, here. I'm excited to welcome back critique partner extraordinaire Lindi Peterson to Seekerville today! Lindi has a new release coming soon from Belle Bridge Books, so read on for a chance to win a copy of Rich in Love! Now, here's Lindi...

The Story of Us...And Them

by Lindi Peterson

Yeeee!!  That’s me screaming—I’m back in Seekerville! The place where food is a must, learning and laughing go hand in hand, and the best writers you’ll ever want to meet hang out.

Seekerville rocks! A big congratulations for your Writer’s Digest Top Website Award. You certainly deserve it.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about story. Realizing the difference between story and plot has made a huge difference in the way I approach my first drafts. It’s also helpful for synopsis writing. I have to thank Alicia Rasley for her synopsis notes that differentiated the difference between story and plot. I’ll never forget it. I keep those notes with me ALL the time. Whenever I am writing a new story.

Dictionary.com defines story like this:

Story**** a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale.

Dictionary.com defines plot like this:

Plot****Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.

This is how I see it. Story comes before plot. (Stay with me here!) Notice how in the story definition there are the words, designed to interest, instruct the hearer or reader.

The plot is the main story of a novel, play, short story.

Before you get to the main story you need to know YOUR story. And by yours I mean the one the characters in your head are trying to get you to write or type onto that blank piece of paper staring at you.

Readers want to know their story, not their plot. What makes the difference is one little word. One word that writers dread hearing sometimes. One word that doesn’t come into play until the third or fourth revision for some of us.

The word?

Photo credit: Crestock/Odina222

Emotion.

Emotion can take a plot and turn it into a story.

RayAnn Phillips sat on the fast moving train through the city she’d only been in for two days. She held the paper with the address of her new employer in her hand so she wouldn’t have to search her purse when she got off of the train. The city was much bigger than Rossville. She would start her new job in less than an hour, provided she could find the place. Her stop proved to be the most popular. Many bodies pressed into her and she hoped the address would be easy to find when she arrived on the street.

This is a short excerpt. Do we know what is going on?

We do.

Do we care?

Not sure.

RayAnn Phillips wasn’t used to sitting close to strangers, so she scooted as close to the window as she could as she sat on the fast moving train, scrunching her purse, lunch tote and her umbrella on her lap, while holding tightly onto the paper with the address of her new employer. The unfamiliar landscape of city streets whisked by and she realized her toes and palms were sweating. Her second day in the city was her first day on the job, and both had her wondering if she had left her sanity back in Rossville, along with her family and cheating ex-boyfriend. The auto-voice announced her stop, startling her. The train did move fast. Swallowing hard, she double checked to make sure she didn’t leave anything on the train and joined the crush of people exiting. But even being pushed from every side couldn’t shake the loneliness inside. As if mocking, a gray sky greeted her as she stepped onto the street. Refusing to give way to the tears that threatened, she breathed in hope and stared at the address. The address that she could no longer read as the numbers had bled together.   

We know the same ‘plot’ information in paragraph 2 that we learned from paragraph 1. RayAnn, formerly from Rossville, was in a big city about to start a new job. Oh, and she’s on a train.

But from the second paragraph we glimpse a bit of her ‘story.’ We know she’s nervous, lonely, and heartbroken for starters. That’s HER story. The city, the train, and the new job are things moving her along through her journey in life. Her nervous, lonely, heartbroken journey. That’s what readers care about.

We all have a story. Now I’m talking about everyone who is reading this post. We are in God’s story and He’s created a storyline for every one of us. We are all gifted in different ways. For those who are called to write, that’s why we don’t give up. Because that’s our role in the story God has created for the world. When we’ve tapped into the vein of what God has put a passion in us to do, we are falling into 

                  Photo credit Crestock/Fotovika

God’s story.

Can you picture God’s storyboard? How amazing it must look! And you know, I’m guilty of messing up His story sometimes, not knowing which way to go, what to do in certain situations. I’m sure God is up there shaking His head as His storylines become blurred and go off in the completely wrong directions at time. But with prayer, fellowship and knowing who He is, we live in Him, and He in us. Then His storyboard is back on track. We bring to life all the emotions needed for a great story. Let’s remember to tap into those as we write the stories the world was meant to read. As we pour into characters, their stories come to life, and in turn those emotional journeys pour into readers, who in turn tell others about what they’ve read.

Here is an excerpt from my upcoming release Rich In Love.

Brief set up. Heroine Ann Thomas is in Florida at the reading of the will of the father she’s never met. She’s staying in his home, (mansion!) and is supposed to be downstairs for a dinner. She’s broken the heel on the only pair of shoes she brought so Anastasia, ‘the help’ has some extra clothing items she’s going to let Ann borrow for the evening. Ann is in her bedroom waiting on Anastasia. Oh, and Ann has a Jimmy Choo shoe obsession that she can’t afford to fuel. :)

My door opens. I can hardly see Anastasia through the jumble of material she’s carrying.

         Actually it’s only two dresses. She has two pair of strappy sandals dangling from her arm, high heels jutting toward me.

         “Okay, pick one. Coral sundress with tiny black polka dots or this very cute chiffon flowery print.”

         Both dresses are beautiful. “I’ll take the coral.”

         “I knew you would. Here.” She hands me the dress.

         “Where did these come from?”

         “From me. I wanted to help Mama with dinner, and I couldn’t decide what to wear. So I brought a couple of choices.”

         “Thank you. I’ll go put this on.” I head for the bathroom.

         “All right. The shoes are on the bed. See you downstairs. Pronto.”

         Even though I know she’s gone, I still dress in the bathroom. I’m a pretty modest person. After slipping the dress on, I hang my ‘funeral’ dress back in the closet.

         The coral dress is soft. It fits me well. I don’t recognize the name, but I’m sure it’s expensive. It just feels like it is.

         I walk to the bed, stopping about a foot away. The sandals sit on the bed, proud and tall. I know, without a doubt, they are JC’s.

         Stepping closer, I can see the white label with those lovely words, Jimmy Choo. Anastasia has left me a pair of JC shoes to wear for the evening.

         Is this how Cinderella felt? Fluttery heart and all smiles?

         My foot tingles, I swear it does, when I slip the shoe on. My bad pedicure clashes with the elegant shoe, but I don’t have time to do anything about it. I’m already late for whatever it is that is happening downstairs.

         After buckling the strap around my ankle, I quickly put the other shoe on. Coral suede JC platform sandals now adorn my feet. Cautiously, I take a few steps around the bedroom. It’s like I’m walking on air.

         I’m not sure what kind of impression I’m going to give to whoever is waiting downstairs.

         But I’m sure it will be the wrong one.

            

We learn a little about Ann’s story from this excerpt. She’s modest. She’s not used to high-end fashion. She’s nervous about going downstairs, but wearing a pair of JC shoes give her confidence she doesn’t normally have. And she’s going to project that false confidence on the people at the dinner. I think every female knows that sometimes, right, or wrong, wearing something pretty makes us feel better. No, it’s not a permanent fix, but for the moment, we’ll ride that feeling.

Make sure you have a good plot for your characters, but don’t forget to tell their ‘story’ as they walk through the journey on the pages. Picture God’s story board, find your place in His story, pour into your characters the same passion and emotion we live in, and you will have a great story to tell.

I’m giving away 2 copies of Rich In Love. Print or Kindle version. Winner’s choice. As soon as it releases, I’ll send the copies. **Please let me know you'd like to be entered in the comments.**

Thank you Seekerville for having me today.

Rich In Love

When Ann Thomas is summoned to Florida for the reading of the will of the father she never knew, her life is forever changed. She learns she has a half-sister, she has the chance to inherit millions, and her name is really Angelina. Brett Hamilton, CPA, is assigned to help Ann spend a lot of money in a short period of time. As soon as his ‘assignment’ with her is over, he’s headed to Peru to be a missionary, something he’s felt called to do his whole life. Ann still lives with the pain of having a mother who chose world missions over her. Can Ann risk giving her love to someone who might give it back, or should she ignore her growing feelings towards Brett to keep her heart safe?

Bio:

I can't help but think my love of reading led to my passion to write. I've always had stories running around in my brain. That's probably why I wasn't very good at math. The fictional characters living up there pushed the numbers out of the way.

It's an honor to be able to bring the characters to life and put their stories on pages.

I live in a small town Northwest of Atlanta, Georgia, with my husband, 2 cats, 1 dog and 2 birds. (The cats rule, by the way!) We're a few hours away from the beaches of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, a couple hours away from the mountains of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. The best of both worlds, I say.

When God reeled me in and showed me true love, my stories really came to life. For when we know we are loved well, we know we can love well.
My tag line, Happy Endings Are Just The Beginning, guarantees the reader a happily ever after. www.lindipeterson.com