Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 1: Critique

As writers, it’s important to have a support system, and it’s just as important to enlist the right people to that inner circle. Jessica Conoley is sharing the first post in a three-part series on what this support system should look like and who it should include.

Every writer I know who has lasted in the publishing industry for more than five years has one thing in common: a support system that functions on multiple levels. Everything about this industry (querying agents, sending stories out on submission, the erratic way in which we get paid, etc.) tends to weed writers out and wear us down. But those of us with multi-level support are more likely to weather the storms of self-doubt. 

Beta Readers: Beta readers are as close to a reader shopping a bookstore as you can get. These are one-time readers who give initial impressions on how your story is coming across. The super fantastic thing: beta readers don’t have to be writers. They just have to be readers whose opinions you trust. More information on finding beta readers and critique partners can be found here.

If you’re asking someone to read a full manuscript, that’s a huge time commitment, so start by asking if they would read the first ten pages for you. If they’re into your story, then ask if they’d like to read the whole MS. If they’re not into the story, it gives them a graceful out. Again, look for overlapping places where multiple readers comment. This means you’re either doing something really right or really wrong. 

Critique lets you see your work (more) objectively. It lets you know what your strengths as a writer are and points out places where you could spend a little more time revising.  If you get your critiques and realize you are great at description but your dialogue could use work, consider holding yourself financially accountable and invest in a class to help refine your skills. 

One thing to keep in mind: Critiques are other people’s opinions. It is your story, so disregard the feedback that is irrelevant to your vision. Incorporate and revise based on the feedback that hit home. 

Critique support often turns into emotional support as well.  Writing is a weird industry, and only another writer is going to understand the sting of a query rejection or why it takes four years for your book to get to print. That emotional support has kept me from walking away from this industry more than once, and it all started with swapping some pages.

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Bio: Jessica Conoley connects story tellers and tells stories. She writes essays, creative non-fiction, flash fiction, and fantasy. Her coaching services demystify the business aspect of writing by drawing on her past experiences as president of a non-profit and managing editor of a literary magazine. In addition to developmental editorial services, she offers virtual workspaces and critique groups as a way to foster creative community for writers. Learn more at: https://jessicaconoley.com/ or on Twitter @jaconoley

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The Bookshelf Muse is a hub for writers, educators and anyone with a love for the written word. Featuring Thesaurus Collections that encourage stronger descriptive skills, this award-winning blog will help writers hone their craft and take their writing to the next level.