HOW TO BE A GOOD CRITIQUE PARTNER (a smol thread)

If you've been following me for a bit, you'll know just how much I love my critique partners/beta readers, because there is no way I could have gotten to the stage I'm at right now without them.

But what makes a good CP?

A good CP IMO:

Tries to understand your version of the story
Keeps their ego out of the equation
Asks you incisive questions to help you out of a bind or a block
Assists in brainstorming when asked
Understands your communication and feedback style

Celebrates your wins and commiserates your losses
Makes space for your style of writing
Points out elements that are your blind spots
Is honest and kind
Reads in your genre, or if not, then understands it
Complements a weakness you have with a strength they have

Is committed to a mutually respectful and growing relationship
Does not just hand you compliments (not just a positivity pass)
Does give you compliments when you've done amazing
Understands deadlines
Is open to feedback about their own critiquing and adjusts

Points out what's wrong with the manuscript fearlessly
Does not present opinion as fact
Does present opinion as opinion
Gives you solutions, ideas, and thoughts on why they are thinking a certain way
Pushes you to become better
Has faith in your story's success

Now you'd think that this is a list your CP has to bring to the table, right?

Wrong.

These are things you must bring to the table. You need to create an environment for a CP to *be* all these things. As the author, YOU have the power/control of the narrative & relationship.

That's because you have to train your critique group and your critique partners. Not all matches are made in heaven, though you can get lucky (I did!).

The more expectations you set as a writer, the more you *know* what you want, the smoother the relationship!

Remember that your CPs are going to be your greatest strengths, your biggest cheerleaders. THEY ARE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD. In order to have a good CP, you need to *be* a good CP—and I don't mean than in skill level—skill levels vary.

You begin by bringing a good attitude.

At the end of the day, a CP relationship is one that needs to be nurtured and honed. It's about understanding strengths & styles. It's about how you engage, what expectations you set, and how you treat your CPs. In order to have good CPs, you need to create an environment for it.

And more, you need to be a good person.

Note how I didn't say, a good writer. You'll become a good writer with good CPs.

But the first step to the relationship is to be a positive partner with the ability to take feedback even if you disagree with it.

#amwriting

Giving feedback is the CPs job. What you do with it is yours—that's editing. Don't blame them for doing their job. (And if it's not a positive relationship, then pull the plug on it and look elsewhere).

All this my opinion. Hope it was useful. #khrwriting