"A must-have for tool for any writer striving to be the best she can be. I should know, since the authors mentored me. This indispensable guide will teach you how to find your own weak points and fix them. Don't submit a manuscript without first reading this book!"--NY Times best-selling author Carly Phillips
"Jane Toombs and Janet Lane Walters share a combined 63 years of impressive writing experience in Becoming Your Own Critique Partner. Delivered in workshop-style chapters, Toombs and Walters provide all the tools a new writer--or an established author needing a refresher course--require to write, revise and polish a story. You'll especially appreciate the checklists and exercises included at the end of each chapter, and the examples taken from both of these talented authors' own works."--Karen Wiesner, author of First Draft In 30 Days, and the award-winning Electronic Publishing, The Definitive Guide
onight is your critique group's meeting and you're psyched. You've worked hard on your story. You expect nothing but compliments. Then you read your scene and your high is brought low.
Partner One folds her hands. "The scene is beautifully written. You have such a way with description. But is the scene necessary?"
"Too much description?" you ask.
Partner One shakes her head. "Not exactly, but, before you write, remember the three purposes of a scene are to define character, to give added information and to advance the plot."
Partner Two leans forward. "Plot's where the problem lies. You have a great setting, interesting characters, but your plot has too many holes."
"Holes in my plot?"
"Your plot can be saved," Partner Two says. "You need to think about your story and select the most important elements. Look again at the who, when, where, what, why and how."
You check your work. "I forgot the what and the why."
"You've got it."
Partner Three looks at the notes she's been making while you read. "Your characters have good motivations for their actions, but I think the dialogue needs work. All your characters sound alike and they sound like you."
These three partners have given you indications of where you've gone right and where you've gone wrong. In the process you've learned something, plus discovering the value of critiques. But what happens if you can't connect with a critique partner or a group of other writers who are willing to play the role of critiquers?
Becoming Your Own Critique Partner is designed to help you find the flaws in your manuscript and correct them. The areas where less than sharp images can cause a rejection will be illustrated by examples of the wrong and the right ways and a discussion of the various stumbling points to keep you from being led astray. It will also show you where your areas of excellence are. Checklists and exercises will aid in eliminating flaws and help to improve your writing.
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