critiques?

[katelyn]

I want to get some honest, helpful critiques for the contemporary inspirational romance manuscript I have written, but the people I know who would be able to do so are few and far between. I am also willing to critique anyone else's writing. I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in forming a small critique group via email, or if anyone has any other suggestions on ways to get critiques for larger manuscripts.

Thanks!!

 

[Justice4JC]

Hey, there! I'd been searching for critique groups for a while now! I found a few others, but my work is Christian-like, and I don't want my Christianity to turn them off or anything. This is the only forum I found that's Christian (and free ), but even here not a lot of people critique.... hmmph

Well, I'd be interested. Romance, eh? Never read a romance before, but I'd be willing!

Oh, and my book right now I'm working on is sci-fi... if you don't like sci-fi, it's cool!

 

[katelyn]

Yeah, I'm not exactly a sci-fi "buff" but having my educational background in computer science helps me get more into that mindset. I don't think that critiques need necessarily come from someone who is heavily interested in that genre. If I want someone who likes romances to read my manuscript, I can always hand it over to a friend. But, I also really want a fellow writer or two to read it and check it for things a non-writer might not see.

 

[katelyn]

Oh yeah, I would like to add, that I don't think my manuscript is a romance on the level of those cheesy dime-store romance novels...just so you know. It's Christian and combines aspects of romance, humor, learning from mistakes, faith, etc.

If you are interested in trading manuscripts, PM me!

 

[GreenPartyVoter]

be sure to get your hands on "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Browne and King.

 

[Samueel]

Wow, sounds like a great idea!! I'd be happy to join a citiquers e-mail group myself!

I've been writing for five years now and am 1/3 of the way through an epic fantasy series (1/3 of the way equals one book done). But reviewing and critiquing sci. fi and CHRISTIAN romance kiss: ) sounds cool too!

All I want to know is...

WHEN DO WE START?? (email me)

Samuel

 

[One Son of Many]

Hey, sounds intriguing! I'll help out any way I can and would love to be in a critique group! Well Katelyn, youir idea so you wanna head it up and organize things??

 

[katelyn]

Great! I'm so glad to have some responses to this. I need to think a little about the organization of this. Feel free to present any ideas of how you'd like this to work.

Happy writing!

 

[One Son of Many]

I guess the first question would be: Will this be through email, this forum or both? Also, people need to keep in mind that they need to use a little tact in their critiques. Be honest, be gentle. When having their story critiqued, the writers need to keep in mind that peoples opinions are very broad. Some will like what you do, some won't. (some like vanilla, some like chocolate....hehe)

Remember two things critique'rs: #1 Honesty is recommended. Just keep in mind, some of these writings are writers' works of love, their lives! So, #2 Try not to use harshness in your opinions. The goal is to be constructive, not destructive!
Look for grammatical errors, syntax errors, even offer ideas and tips! This could become quite a writer's resource forum! Anyone else have suggestions?!

 

[katelyn]

Those are some good points you have brought up.

I prefer critiquing via email, due to the fact that I would like to publish what I'm writing, and having it posted on a public forum can conflict with that.

I am thinking of starting a mail group for this. I'll let those who've expressed an interest know via email when I've gotten it set up.

 

[One Son of Many]

I agree.

It seems whenever I can talk to other writers, my creativity and gumption get a huge boost! Most days, I'm lucky to get two pages down, but getting energized by others, seems as though I don't stop until my wife (bless her sweet little heart!) has to get after me....hehe. But she has to ask me several times to take a break before it finally registers what she is saying to me.....

 

[One Son of Many]

.....waiting for verification (number) email to join critique group.....*looks at watch*

why is email so slow sometimes? Or am I just impatient?

 

[Justice4JC]

lol, I don't know why. Sometimes it's fast, other times it's slow. Just a couple days ago someone I know received a letter on Saturday or Sunday but it was sent on Wednesday. Weird stuff.

 

[One Son of Many]

Ahh, finally. Took long enough too.....*counts minutes..* at least 8 minutes! hehe

So, the critique group officially begins then?! This should be interesting! I've never actually belonged to a critique 'group', but I do have a couple writing friends that let me critique their works from time to time.

 

[psychoceramic]

id love to belong to a critique gruop so count me, and plase ingore my typing ablities.


i can spell just not type as fast as my mind spells