SARAH GAGNON'S GOOD NEWS

A couple of wonderful and amazing things have happened. I finished my revision. YAY!

I'm very happy with how it turned out. I did have a surprising moral dilemma with regards to the story, but I'll talk about it at another time. I need to think about what it means first.

The second exciting thing that happened is my amazing critique partner, Sarah Gagnon, has some wonderful news to share with everyone. Since it's her news and I don't want to spoil it for her, I'm going to ask everyone to pop on over to Sarah's blog so she can spill the details herself.

I will say how proud and thrilled I am for her.

Sarah, Carla Rehse, Don McFatridge, and I have been critique partners since we participated in the Agent Query Connect, Speculative Fiction annual Marathon in 2010. We posted a chapter a week of our manuscripts to get critiques for  12 weeks. After the marathon we stayed together. Fast forward two and a half years and we're still partners. (I also have to give a shout out to: Masako, Joyce Alton, Jordan, Kate Evangelista, Cheree Larkins, Michelle Hauk, Jason, and Bessie my other critique partners/beta readers. Love you guys)

Oops, sorry about the critter love. It's early in the morning and I feel wonderful today. *sips coffee*

Back to Sarah's good news.

Sarah is a talented woman with an amazing story to share. I predict you'll be hearing even more exciting news from her in the near future. I'm hoping I'll be able to convince her to come on the blog with a Sharing Our Voices post so you can learn her source of inspiration. 

Speaking of SOV's, I have one for you on Monday from the original gunslinger, Peter Burton. So I hope you stop by for that to show him some love. Only watch out. He's armed, although he seems to think it's for defensive measures.

Okay, enough of my ramblings. Please, pop over to wish Sarah congrats. Here's the link.

MICHELLE HAUCK'S GOOD NEWS

Howdy, I wanted to give a heads up to my awesome critique partner, Michelle Hauck. She has some good news to share on her blog, Michelle4Laughs-It's in the Details. Michelle isn't new to this blog. She was also gracious enough to write a Sharing Our Voices post. So please, pop over to her blog and wish her congrats.  

I also promised to share something about myself today. Since I don't really want to take away from Michelle's big news. I will share how much I appreciate Michelle (and all my critique partners fall into this category of awesomeness).

Michelle has a unique superpower. She can find plotholes like nobody else. If Don, DMCWILD is the King of Echoes, Michelle is Princess Plothole. She found plotholes hidden within my plotholes. She's is that good. And she's blunt. No sugar coating. Not that any of my crit partners put on rose colored glasses when it comes to my work, and I wouldn't want them to. The only way to grow is to have a blunt assessment of my story. It's strengths and weaknesses.

Michelle has been there for me through my last two books. I hope she will be there for many more to come.  I want to wish Michelle much love and success with her novel, KINDAR's CURE. I loved this story, and I can't wait to own my very own copy.

I'M BLOG HOPPING

Earlier this month, Michelle Hauck shared her inspiration in an awesome Sharing Our Voices post. Thank you again, Michelle.

So when she asked me to write up a post on Getting The Call, I couldn't say no. Not that the thought even crossed my mind. I love my awesome critique partner to pieces. Plus, this is one of my most exciting memories. It's right up there with the day I got married and the birth of my children.

I relive the excitement of that day whenever I get discouraged with this writing journey. It helps to remind me that no matter what stage of the process I've entered, whether it be starting a new wip, learning how to write a query letter and synopsis, querying agents, editing, going on submission...etc.

This is my dream and each experience is a memory I'll treasure.

Here are the links if you want to stop by and say hello:

For the Love of Writing
Michelle4Laughs- It's in the Details

Thanks :)

P.S. Happy Birthday, Daddy. Love ya.

HOW TO FIND AND KEEP A CRITIQUE PARTNER

We all know how difficult it is to find a critique partner.

First, you have to find a person who has similar interests. Ideally, they should read the kind of book that you are working on. They don’t necessarily have to love the genre, but at least not run screaming upon opening the first chapter.

Sometimes having a person who doesn’t read your particular genre is beneficial because they can provide an alternate view point from someone who is familiar with the genre. I have a wonderful critique partner who writes fantasy. She’d never read YA, which allowed her to ask questions about my ms that I’d never thought about. This ultimately allowed her to find plot holes in my manuscript that I missed. Thank you, Michelle H.

Being a partner is indeed a partnership. It’s about offering to reciprocate by reading their work. It’s about finding the good, the bad, and the ugly in a story and being able to provide a constructive critique that doesn’t demean the other person’s writing.

Hearing you suck, totally sucks! Make suggestions on how to better a particular scene by providing examples of what you are talking about. You know, the whole show don't tell. It works when giving critiques, too.

Everyone is at different stages of learning their craft, from the veteran to the newbie; yet, no matter what stage you are in, you should always be open to learning from another person’s point of view. You may not always agree with what a person suggests, but try seeing the critique through their eyes. You may be surprised.

If you think a particular critique is F.O.S., ignore that particular suggestion. Ultimately, it’s your choice which critiques you’ll take and which you’ll discard. Always remember, this is your creation. Trust your instincts. Enjoy delving into your world and displaying it to the best of your ability. Seek help when needed.

Once you find someone who is willing to give up their time to critique your manuscript, a certain thing is necessary to keep good will.

It’s called saying THANK YOU.

Two little words, but they mean so much.

Remember that the critiquer may be just as anxious about how their critique is received as you are by receiving it. Hit the reply button on that email to acknowlege that you received their critique and it didn't land in their spam box. Thank them for their time. It's the same as if you received a present. You may not totally love the gift, but at least let them know you appreciate they cared enough to knit you that ugly, Christmas sweater with the reindeer on it.

The critiquer took time from their own projects to help you. Don't take their willness to read your work for granted. Be humble. Be appreciative.

This is the key to finding and keeping your critique partners. And if you cherish them, they will cherish you.