Writing Tip Tuesday~Extra Eyes

This week's writing tip is one that I didn't always embrace. It can be hard for us writers to share our babies with others. There is a lot of fear in handing over your work to someone else for their critique. However, it is essential to having a truly polished novel. Your critique partners, beta readers, or editor will catch things you can't.

Tip: Find someone whose opinion you trust and have them read your novel, or at least key chapters of your novel, to help you with it.

If you don't know anyone then it might be time to join a writer's forum, find other writers on Twitter (the weekly #WritersRoad chat on Twitter every Monday night is a great place), blogger, or even on Facebook. Reach out, there are always people who are willing to help.

Comments

  1. A view from over your shoulder by an objective, wise pair of eyes is always a help. But they have to be both objective and wise. Great post as always. Come see my interview with Jessica Bell at the haunted jazz club, Meilori's, today. Come with your pepper spray and running shoes though! LOL. Roland

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  2. Blogger keeps knocking me off my friends' followers lists. Aaaargh! Check to see if they have knocked you of mine, will you? Aaaaaaargh! Roland

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  3. Roland, I'll check it out as soon as I can dig myself out of formatting hell! :) Sounds like just what I need. I'm so sorry to hear that blogger is messing with you. It still shows I'm following you.

    Shannon, aw, you flatter me. :)

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  4. Great tip Heather! I love my writer groups and they are wonderful at catching things I missed.

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  5. It's important to have the extra pair of eyes on your work. I would say only decide what works best for you. Do you want critique partners - people who read as you write? Or beta readers - people who read after the MS is finished? Or both? There's pros and cons for both types. For me, I've found I can only use critiques AFTER the first draft is complete.

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  6. I agree. Can't do it all yourself. Well, I suppose some can, but it's pretty tough to see all the flaws. Excellent advice!

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  7. Cherie, me too! Writing groups are worth their weight in gold.

    Tina, great point! It's all about what works best for you and your work. Me too, actually, I'm usually on the third draft before anyone sees it. :)

    Carolina, I can't imagine doing it all by myself! I'm a firm believer that it takes a village and all that... ;)

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  8. Heather, this is so valuable. And, it takes so much time for those readers, especially if they take the time and are willing to say the tough stuff. I actually told someone that I didn't care what they liked... I just want to know what they didn't like. No hurt feelings. I've received some good, strong, honest feedback. I love it. Yes, finding readers is so very important.

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  9. I totally agree with this. I'm actually getting quite excited about letting someone else read my work - eventually :-)

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  10. Extra eyes are key. What a great reminder. :)

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  11. Karlene, that's a wonderful idea! If one can handle it (and of course I know you can handle ANYTHING), what doesn't work is the most important thing to hear.

    Sarah, it can be a wonderful experience when you find the right readers!

    Michelle, so true!

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  12. This is so true. The key is to find someone who "gets" your writing or at least your genre.

    We as writers are just too close to our work to see everything objectively.

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