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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Crit Partner Classifieds

People always seem to be asking me about crit partners. How do you find them? Where? What should I look for? I've answered most of these in several posts (see Reference), but one of my readers, Kelly Bryson, suggested an idea for taking it a step further (I'm totally stealing her idea [with permission]). Today I want to, hopefully, make this easier on those in search of that all-important crit partner connection.

Yes, I want to set you guys up. I want to help you find your ideal match. We're totally going online dating but with crit partners.

So here's how it's gonna go down:

This week I will gather information on all who want to participate in this highly experimental search for the perfect crit partner. I will compile this information into a lovely blog post filled with potential partners to share your writing life with. Next week, I'll post this information, and you will use the comments section and whatnot to connect with other writers who are looking for that special something. And if this goes well, it might become a tab on the blog. We shall see.

If you are interested, send me an email with the following information:

Example:

Audience: Adult/YA/MG/PB (This will be for organizational purposes)
Name: Natalie (or whatever handle you want)
Genre: Weird YA Stuff

Current Project: That Witch Thing, about a girl whose grandma is the town witch nobody believes is real. Oh, and the girl happens to be the next in line to take on the role. And there's a dark something after her. I don't know much more than that.

Crit Needed: A partial read/query crit/full read/lifelong love/chocolate cake/cheerleading/all of the above.

Looking For: A partner who can take me to the next level. I'm not looking to be babied. I want a tough crit that will challenge this manuscript and make it better. I don't mind readers who are brutally honest. Actually, I'd love to have someone who is super nit-picky. If possible, I'd like to have someone who is willing to do everything from line editing to plot development. (Or the exact opposite, if you are looking for someone more PC.)

Contact: Email/Website/Twitter/Whatever you are comfortable giving out


That's not too hard, right? Just think, your perfect crit partner could be right around the corner, waiting to find you! All you have to do is get out there and look.

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53 comments:

  1. Remilda GraystoneFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    This sounds like an absolutely brilliant idea, and has made my already horrible day! I'll be emailing you because I really would like to meet my perfect match. :D

    Here's to hoping this goes wonderfully!

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  2. Donna K. WeaverFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    What a great idea--and great of you to share it!

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  3. DaraFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Oooh sounds like a wonderful idea! I'll have to think about it.

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  4. Nancy KelleyFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    You are my hero. I actually tweeted a crit partner personal ad as a joke a while back, so I think the idea is brilliant. I'll be back with my info once I'm back on my computer--too much typing to do from an iPhone.

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  5. CharleneFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Thank you, Natalie. This is an amazing response to a prayer I just uttered this morning. My current writing/critique group is just too nice(although encouragement is wonderful too)

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  6. KristenFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Aw, that's an awesome idea! Instead of e-Harmony, it's Literary-Harmony... *slaps head* Yep. I'm corny. I am lucky enough to have an amazing group of CP's (don't know what I would do without them!) but I will pass the word on about this!

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  7. KristanFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    What a cute idea! You know, you could totally turn this into a more permanent forum feature... a la Nate B? (Or not. Sometimes forums just seem like a huge hassle to me, haha.)

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  8. TracyFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    What a clever idea!!

    I had a friend who was just going through this "where do I find one" deal herself last week.

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  9. Jen J. DannaFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    I'm lucky enough to not need a CP (I write with a partner and have a team of critique readers already as part of our team, thank you LiveJournal communities!) but I think this is a terrific idea. Good for you for offering to play matchmaker!

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  10. UnknownFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Wow, Natalie. I love this idea, and will definitely take you up on it, but I hope this doesn't eat up too much of your time! You're too generous!

    Thanks!

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  11. Emy ShinFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    This is an amazing idea -- it'd be awesome if this could be made a regular feature. But I do hope it doesn't gobble up too much of your time, though!

    Thank you so much for organizing this.

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  12. Jenna WallaceFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    My hero! With my big shiny new idea about to get underway, I was worrying about how I would find some new betas/CPs. Thank you!

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  13. JeighFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    This is a really good idea, and I think it will be successful, because I actually met both my amazing crit buddies through comments on your blog!

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  14. Ashley GrahamFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    What a great, fun idea! Another good place to find CPs--Yahoo groups. That's where I found a few of mine. Then again, sometimes it's hard to pick a good one out of the masses so this is really is a SUPER idea, Natalie!

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  15. NicoleFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Everyone is always in need of these!! Will be e-mailing later :)

    only .99c, The Arrival, now on Amazon
    www.damselinadirtydress.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Becky WallaceFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    I want to play!! I can always use another partner!

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  17. Heather HellmannFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    I love this idea!

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  18. Misha GerrickFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Brilliant!

    I'm not sure if I'll be able to contact you, but I will try. Failing that I will definitely snag myself a crit partner.

    ;-)

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  19. AkossFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    This is an awesome idea!!!
    Thanks for setting it up.

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  20. MalFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    This is awesome!! I really don't get online forums. They seem complicated and I don't understand how people meet on them for crit partners. Thanks, Natalie!

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  21. JFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    This is awesomely generous of you! :)

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  22. Steph SchmidtFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    This is a lifesaver. I'd feel endlessly guilty if I joined a forum just to dump it after finding a critique partner.

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  23. Debbie BarrFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Fantastic idea! But I'm suddenly feeling so shy. I'll need to think this over. My crit "partner" now isn't really working out. Hmm...

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  24. Christine TylerFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Should we also have a paragraph about what *our* critiquing style is like?

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  25. abby mumfordFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    this is what i've been searching for! you are a gem for putting this together for us.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    This sounds great! If it goes well, could you maybe make it a recurring feature? Because I know I'm not ready for a critique partner yet, but I probably will be in 6 months or so. And I'm wondering if there are other people in my situation too.

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  27. LylaFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    I love this idea--thank you so much! Finding a crit partner has been a big problem for me. I agree with Anon 12:12 at the moment, though--maybe Literary-Harmony can be biannual or something...? Don't feel obligated. It's cool enough as-is.

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  28. Wren EmersonFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    What a great idea! I'm composing my email right now.

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  29. A.B. FennerFebruary 1, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Two thumbs up on this utterly brilliant idea! As of right now, I'm in ur inbox, givin u my crit partner wish-list. ;) Thanks, Natalie!

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  30. AlysonFebruary 1, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    This is a wonderful idea! Not sure if I'm ready to take the plunge yet, but this could be like the new writer's Facebook if anyone her knows proper programming. If only. =/

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  31. IanBontemsFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Awesome idea and it's excellent of you to do this.

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  32. Dr. Cheryl CarvajalFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Love you, love you, love you!

    I am definitely e-mailing you, RIGHT NOW!!!

    Thanks so much! What a great deal of work you put into helping us out!

    ReplyDelete
  33. KathyFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    This is a great idea! I've been trying to figure out how to find a crit partner for my current project. I'm emailing you right now.

    Thanks for doing this!

    Kathy

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  34. Riv ReFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Awesome idea, maybe I'll partake :)
    Ha, Matched.com. Let's hope without the annoying emails and pop-ups!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Kasie WestFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I'm actually looking for a new crit partner because my current one is kind of weepy and demanding. So who do you have for me? :) Just kidding. I have the best crit partners ever. But what an awesome idea.

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  36. lindaFebruary 1, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Wow, this is so cool! I would totally do this if I had more than the beginnings of an outline and the first paragraph to my idea (I feel like it hasn't earned the "WIP" designation yet.)

    (Incidentally, I wanted to thank you for inspiring that first paragraph - I've been reading Nathan's blog for a while, but it was YOUR post about it that made me decide to write one and enter. I even included the word "pomegranate" because of you [and Cindy Pon]! :D)

    You and your blog are awesome - I think I started reading the blog around the time you won Nathan's contest? - and I should have de-lurked earlier to tell you!

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  37. NataschaFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    I'm open to critiques the entire month of February! I'm taking a break while my BETAs go through my MS and decided to help others out. Anyone can email me critiquesubmissions@yahoo.com. I'm open to any genre, but will submit my info for this!

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  38. Abby MinardFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Wow, this is a great idea for people who can't find any crit partners! I have plenty, but I hope this will help those who need it. Cheering you on!

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  39. ErikaFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    This is absolutely the BEST idea I've heard so far this month :) I think it's really awesome, though, and hopefully it doesn't take up too much of your time. I can't wait to find my literary soul mate *starry eyes*

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  40. amber colleenFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Oh yay! This sounds fantastic! I will be emailing you as well.

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  41. CarrieFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Great idea, Natalie! Thank you!

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  42. Amanda the AspiringFebruary 2, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    Thanks so much for doing this! Emailing now! =)

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  43. Tanya ByrneFebruary 2, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    What a wonderful idea, Natalie! Emailing you now...

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  44. Dawn AlexanderFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    I am in! I feel I am ready for a crit partner, but completely clueless about how to find one.
    Emailing you!
    Thank you for putting this together.

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  45. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    I think this a fabulous idea, but I have to ask:
    how do you know you've found someone you can trust with your baby?
    I desperately want a crit partner but I'm having serious separation anxiety
    over handing over my novel to someone I don't know.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Amy PlumFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  47. Donea LeeFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Natalie - you are a godsend!! :) What a fabulous idea. Thank you so much. I'll send you an e-mail soon!

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  48. RuthFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Wow -- what an awesome idea. I'll share it with some teachers who want to write too. My writing group makes all the difference (as I know yours does too), so I think it's great that you are willing to be a "matchmaker."
    Ruth

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  49. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    This is such a great idea! I am writing my E-Mail now!

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  50. Kelly BrysonFebruary 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Hey Natalie- I'm so glad you're running with this idea. My humble blog followers have made some matches too. I love the writing community. Thanks for the link;)

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  51. Dana ElmendorfFebruary 2, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    I'm off to compose my email to you right now. This is so amazing and perfect for me at this time, you must have been reading my mind. Great idea, I'm glad you are turning it into a reality. Thanks!

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  52. NotACatFebruary 3, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    I'm feeling jittery now I've added my name to the list, but it's worth it to see if I can shift whatever has been blocking me for months.

    Will you notify us when the list goes up? I confess I'm not a regular reader—I was linked here by Kiersten White (on Goodreads, actually)—and I'm rubbish at following blogs anyway…I'm sure there's a nice list somewhere waiting for me to pick up, but I can never lay my hands on it…

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  53. Devin BondFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Just learned of this, definitely off to email you in a second. This sounds AMAZING. I need more eyes and more opinions.

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