Lexicon: Critique Partner

Critique Partner: a fellow writer whom you trust to give constructive criticism of your novel and you return the favor for their work.

This could mean anything from meeting weekly for coffee and reading your latest chapter aloud, to sending your full novel to a friend half-way around the world for their comments. Some partners even brainstorm the plot, characters, setting, of a novel before they start writing chapters. This process enables you to get constructive criticism (they point out what’s good and what sucks) as well as encouragement to keep writing when you feel too busy to make it happen. This relationship only works between the right people and when both are interested in putting in the same amount of effort. It is most effective when your partner is in the same genre.

Instead of a relationship between two people it can be a small group (3-5), but the more members you include equals less time spent on each member.

What is their motivation?

Sure, your critique partner(s) want to help you, but they also want honest, polite, constructive criticism on their own manuscript. Each time you send more of your work and are nervous about what you will get back, remember that they feel the same way.

Make sure to nail down the details of your relationship before you start exchanging work. Details like: 

• have deadlines for turning in the manuscript and returning comments, 
• know what type of comments you want (like: don’t worry about grammar or dialogue, but make sure the setting fits), and 
• find ways to reward yourselves for reaching accomplishments (go out bowling when you both have five chapters completed).

Critique Partners are just one side to the editorial triangle (along with editors and beta readers). In the normal flow of events your critique partners will work with you as you write, a content and story editor will help you shape your narrative, then beta readers allow you to get a glimpse at how your audience will react. 

After that you’ll need a line editor, an agent, and a publisher, but try to focus on the important part first: write your novel.