Categories
Author Insights

Critique Partners aren’t for all writers: Author Insights 15

authorinsight

This is an impromptu post based on a lot of talk about critique partners I’ve seen lately. It’s a little bit of a rant, but mostly it’s me stating my shortcomings and insecurities. ~It’s not even the 1st Wednesday of the month.

Writers all over the blogosphere rave about critique partners, but I don’t think critique partners work unless you happen to be the right kind of author. I’m apparently the wrong kind of author. No matter how hard I try I can’t seem to find and or keep a critique partner because…well, I guess my writing is just so bad. ~Or so I thought.

The problem I seem to have with critique partners is that they all seem to want to edit my work to perfection instead of giving me feedback to better develop the story myself or they are just not interested in what I’m writing. Also I think I test other writer’s patience. All other writer’s either have writing degrees or years of experience and don’t feel like working with an author that’s still in development. ~Beginning to think I’m meeting all the wrong people.

I write in stages and  I guess that’s a little weird for most writers. I guess most writers edit as they write, but not me. I write with blinders on. I work hard to get my creative ideas out, then work on development and style, and then fine tuning and editing. I guess my process is difficult for others to work with, but it’s the only way I know how to do it. ~Apparently that’s how lots of writers do it, according to this article

I’ve tried joining groups, offering feedback, and generally doing my part to be part of a community and a process, but I guess I’m just too different. I have managed to get a few helpful hints and some limited feedback from a few people I’ve meet along the way and I’m grateful for that, but hints and tips only go so far.~ I’m testing out some new partners I’ve found at the IWSGCC and they may just work out, even if not for every project. 

I’d love to have more and consistent critique partners, but I just don’t fit the mold. So here I am, kinda on my own, trying to write and develop myself without much feedback. I have managed to release one novel, a few short stories, and some non-fiction without receiving any hate mail. So, even if I’m not very good, it seems that I’m not too bad either.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
IWSG

#IWSG July 2014: Good help is hard to find.

72b25-iwsg2bbadge

Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.

****

I never seem to be at a loss for insecurities, but every so often I do manage to focus on the positive. Unfortunately, this is not one of those times. My current insecurity, well actually it’s more of a worry, is my inability to find interested and reliable persons to help or support me in my pursuits. You may be thinking that this is simply a small and personal problem I need to overcome, but I’m really not asking that much, at least I don’t think I am.

The problem at hand is finding good help. I have stories that are finished to a point that I can do nothing else with them, but they are not ready for publication. I know enough about my process and my skills to know when my work is ready and when it’s not. The problem that I’m currently faced with is finding beta readers. I have a few, but so far they have been M.I.A. I need feedback and have no idea what to do. I’ve paid for beta services before, but that was only in conjunction with final editing fees. When my work is ready, I’ll shell out the money for professional editing, but for now, I just want…no, I need feedback, and can’t get it.

I wish that was my only problem, but of course, there’s more. I need art work. I’m fortunate enough to have some skills with photography and graphic design. I can do a lot of small things on my own, but when it comes to illustrations, I need someone else for that. I, again, have an illustrator, but he works on a time-table that is beyond my understanding. I don’t want to leave him behind and move on, but I may have to…I just wonder how much it’s going to cost me?

Do you have trouble finding good help? How would you go about trying to find new beta readers and possibly an illustrator? I’d seriously love to know.

After listening to me whine, here’s something that you may or may not be interested in and that may put a smile on your face. I’m putting my indie published short story collection, Unexplained on sale as an Amazon countdown deal. See my side panel for details. I hope everyone is having a lovely and relatively stress free summer.

****

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:  Krista McLaughlin, Kim Van Sickler, Heather Gardner, and Hart Johnson!

****

Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #162).

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords