Today, I'm going to talk about a new feature of my blog.
Tomorrow, I'm going to talk about what makes a good critique partner/beta reader.
And Thursday, I'll share some other great critique partner/beta reader links. I've found some awesome ones.
A new feature?
Yes. If you look up to my TABS bar under my MAIN HEADER you will see this:
Well, I wish I could, I really do. However, over the past few months I've been emailed by about half a dozen people requesting I be either a critique partner or beta reader. The problem is, the genres they request I look at are NOT the genres I read or write. It's hard to critique what is not your specialty because there are nuances that each genre has that only a reader/writer will know about. SO..........I've created a critique partner/beta reader finder.
That sounds great, sign me up. What do I do?
It's simple:- You go to the tab at the top.
- Find your genre.
- Fill out the linky form (make sure you have your email so others can contact you). The linky will lead to your blog so if you forget to put your email address down, put it somewhere on your blog. You may gain followers in the process. Win Win!
Here's some examples of people who should sign up:
(a) Hello. My name is Bob and I'm a WRITER. I've got a FINISHED MANUSCRIPT and would love a CP/BR. My email is bobthewriter @ gmail. com.
(b) Hello. My name is Sandra and I'm a WRITER. I've got a PARTIALLY-FINISHED MANUSCRIPT and would love a CP/BR to see where I'm going wrong. Perhaps we could exchange chapter or section for chapter or section? My email is sandrathewriter @ gmail. com.
(c) Hello. My name is Pat and I wanna be a WRITER. I've got a NO MANUSCRIPT but would love to be a BR to learn how best to write. I read a lot of this genre so I know what is good. My email is patthewriter @ gmail. com.
(d) Hello. My name is Rusty and I'm a READER. I love reading (insert genre) and would love to be a BR. My email is rustythereader @ gmail. com.
(e) Hello. My name is Clair and I'm a BLOGGER. I know writers need help in this (insert genre) and would love to be a BR. My email is clairthehelper @ gmail. com.
And here is a list of who should not sign up:
(f) Hello. My name is Dick and I'm a LINKY LOVER. I don't really love to help but I LOVE LINKIES and will fill them out because I want to have lots of followers and people visiting my site. My email is i'mabotherandaspammer @ gmail. com.
Well, I'm worried someone will take my manuscript and call it their own...
It's possible that could happen, but rare. Read this post by Brigid Kemmerer: "Plagiarism and theft, and why I don't worry about either".
29 comments:
This sounds great - don't think I need it as I have a writer's group now that does crit AND I'm also with the Burrow although haven't made use of it enough or helped enough. Yikes, maybe I do need it! I know that your crit was VERY helpful to me.
Not to add competition necessarily, but so you know what's new and out there:
http://www.ladieswhocritique.com/
Cyndi
@Pat - I did know. It's going to be one I feature on Thursdays. This is just another option. Maybe you want to find a CP that you know from blogging.
This post made me LAUGH!
Putting aside that it's a great idea for a second, your examples of who should/shouldn't click that button was inspired! Love it!
What you said was so true, though. I joined a very small crit group but none of them write in the same genre as me which is counterproductive I feel. Also, one member is very good (and valuable) but two do not seem to take part - why join?!
Just gotta work out this linky thing...
you are just the coolest cat doing this. So many people will be helped. Rock on, C~ :o) <3
Okay, "Linkey Lover" totally cracked me up. I'm going to smile over that one all day. Thanks!!
That's a fantastic idea, Clarissa! I'm not looking now, but if I ever am, I know where to go!
This is a great idea that will help lots of writers. Finding a cp that clicks and can work with your schedule can be tough. I might use it for beta readers. Could always use a bright beta reader not afraid to tell me what they don't like.
You're always moving and shaking. Good idea that I'm sure will go over well. I might be looking for a beta reader later in the year, so I'll be sure to remember this link.
Another cool idea. Now I'm sitting on my fence... should I, shouldn't I, should I, shouldn't I.
This is great! I don't need a CP right now, but that could change. Thanks.
Great idea! I like it that you understand what works for you and what doesn't as a critiquer. Otherwise, you'd be reading everyone else's work and never get your own finished!
Hey, thanks for the shoutout! I'm glad you liked the blog. :-D
Clarissa, that is an awesome idea!
Clarissa:
This post is like manna from heaven for me. I've been looking for a critique partner for a long time. It's an important decision, and I just haven't found that perfect match yet.
Perhaps, just perhaps.....
I'm off to the CP tab.
Thanks again!
Clarissa, This is a great idea and wonderful post. Lots of people looking for good help. Here is another way to find it. Cheers~
Great service for writers, Clarissa! Will sched a tweet...
Ooohh Jenn from Jenn's Musings was looking for a CP/BR earlier - I'll cut and paste the link to this post on her blog if you don't mind Clarissa - I just know she'd find it very helpful!! Thanks so much!!
take care
x
This is an excellent offer, and if I needed help, I would probably jump at it. I am so privileged that plenty of my blog readers have offered to help me every time I needed beta-readers, however. Besides, I am honest enough to know that I could help writers with some things, but I would never feel confident enough in English to help them with the language.
Wonderful idea! So good of you to help everyone this way.
Old Kitty thanks for the link, and Clarissa thanks for the post! This is exactly what I was looking for. :)
A great idea. I will be using it.
You're AWESOME.
signed, Linky Lover (Just Kidding)
sounds like a very useful thing for writers, Clarissa!
Clarissa, this is a wonderful idea! Thank you for setting this up. Once I get my Christmas story on Amazon I'll dive into my next story. A beta reader would be wonderful. But I'm signing up later - after I'm a bit more organized from holiday and over this strep throat (almost there).
Now that's a good idea.
What an awesome idea! I don't need one now, but it's good to keep in mind. :)
I am so glad I fit into a category of who should join! I am excited about this as I think it will help with my writing. I'm like Jan, your crit is very helpful. I still love visiting the poison section. I did glance through for Arsenic, but ignored some of the information, such as where to find it in present day situations. lol
What a great idea. I'm glad to see that there is need for those who don't write too. You're helping provide a wonderful service to writers.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Freelance Editing By Mason
Hmmm, I write mostly horror and don't see that as an option. Sad.
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