This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Now, I’m not talking about writing with someone, I don’t think I could ever do that – I’m a terrible sharer. But I was reading last week about a Match.com equivalent for writers; a website called Ladies Who Critique where you can sign up and connect with a critiquing buddy who also writes your genre.
I’ve never joined a writing group, mainly because I haven’t wanted to join a mixed group of genre writers. I guess I think that often chick lit is viewed as the poor relation in the literary world (undeservedly so) but I didn’t want to have to constantly defend my writing choices. I also don’t know whether I’d trust non chick lit lovers to critique my work. I mean, I wouldn’t dream of reviewing a fantasy novel for a review site because I’d have no idea about comparable works in the genre, so how could I critique a fantasy writer in a writing group?
So the idea that you could be paired with another writer from your genre sounded more appealing to me. But then I started wondering whether I could really trust someone I didn’t even know. What if I had a totally brilliant book and the person critiquing suggested a tweak that would ruin it forever more? Or if I’m reading their book – what if I give them the worst advice ever?
I have to admit that one of the best bits about publishing my ebook on Amazon is having comments from people I don’t know. I had a nice tweet conversation with one person in which we debated the ending, and I even toyed with changing the ending at the last minute. Maybe that is where your critiquing partner comes in handy?
If I did take the plunge and decided to try and find a writing partner, could I really just go on a website and find one? I know that people go on dates and some even marry people they met on internet dates (in my single days I did internet date – albeit very disastrously) but somehow I find the idea of finding a critique partner online scarier! Am I being too cautious?
I’d love to know what you think. Do you a have a critique partner? If so where did you find them? And if you don’t would you consider an online site to find them?