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Where I am in the writing process: I can't believe it, but I'm almost done with the first draft of my novel. I'm at about 72k right now, and I'm wrapping things up. As horrible as it sounds, I'm kind of sad to be ending the first draft, because I know that now the real work begins, as I need to do some serious revising. That said, this novel will have a sequel, so I know that if I get bored of revising, I can work on the new novel to keep things fresh.
My current problems: I guess I'm not really writing as much this week because I want to draw out the experience a little bit before I reach the end of my first draft. I had given myself a deadline of the end of July to finish my first draft. Now I'm giving myself until the end of June, as I want to have it wrapped up before ALA, as I know I'll be preoccupied.
My question this week: Critique partners? Anyone have a story on where they found a good one? And ways to keep the relationship going?
Edited to clear up some confusion in the comments, sorry!
I'm not at the point of searching out a critique partner yet, but I know that when I do, I'm going to be picky. I'm searching for someone like myself. I like to think I'm a good critique partner. I can point out flaws without saying "OMG YOU SUCK." I know that it may take me some time to find a good critique partner, so I'm probably going to start searching for one before I'm completely finished revising my novel. I figure once I get the first 25-50 pages in tip-top shape, I'll start looking around for the proper places to even find a critique partner, as I haven't the foggiest right now, and I expect it might take a few months for me to find someone I'm comfortable with. I'm setting 25-50 pages as a goal because this is the amount of sample pages I want to have on hand to send a potential critique partner to make sure we are a right fit.
It will have taken me about six months to write my novel when all is said and done, and I am budgeting five months for revision to get it into shape where I'm ready for others to read it. That time frame includes time to hopefully squeeze in an online workshop or at least some research on the revision process. Then based on the notes from my critique partners, I would revise again before I even thought about querying. I know those time goals may seem unattainable to most, but I'm a housewife with no children, so I do have several hours in my day I can devote to the task. If I don't set these goals for myself, I'll never get it done.
Hope that clears things up, I didn't mean to imply that I was going to send out 25 good pages and the rest of my manuscript in first draft form!
The relationship between critique partners is very give and take, and I think you've said exactly the right thing: that you need to find someone who edits the same way you do. It makes it very easy to understand their edits and the voice in which they say them.
ReplyDeletePersonally, though, I never give my WIP to a critique partner in full first draft form. I have to edit it through the best I can before I hand it out, and I prefer to hand out the whole book at a single time instead of in portions. I think it's very bad manners for someone to send out an unedited first draft to a critique partner or group. There is so much that can be caught by your own eyes that a critique partner will waste their time finding for you, instead of finding the bigger issues.
I completely agree with Amanda. I will not send out my first draft. I prefer to fine tune it before I get the critique partners to look at it. I guess I want to know it's in the best form I can get it and then I can concentrate on what others have to say about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not giving my first draft to a critique partner. I just meant that I would make sure I had at least 25 pages in critique ready form before I even began the search, even for research purposes. I also want to have those sample pages ready to go for when I do start my search, I have example pages for any potential CP to look over before deciding they want to review the rest of my novel.
ReplyDeleteI know that it very well might take me a few months to find the right fit, and by that time I would have the bulk of my revision finished, as I already have chapter notes for what I need to go back and revise.
Sorry for the confusion!
Yay you for almost completing your first draft! I usually don't give the 1st draft to my crit group either. I'm a perfectionist, so I do like getting it in its best form first.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on nearly being finished with your first draft. I just completed mine yesterday and I'm at that same place. Thinking about the work that lies ahead. I'm anxious about it, but also very excited.
ReplyDeleteYay, congratulations on almost being done! I know what you mean about editing, but I actually enjoy the first few weeks of it...until it's That Thing I Have To Do. Best of luck finding a critique partner!
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