I’m so excited to introduce a brand new, debut author to the jungle today, Carla Capshaw! Carla is a member of my local RWA chapter and one of the nicest, most generous writers you’ll ever meet. Her chapter mates cheered her on up the ladder from manuscript to a publishing contract and I know I’ll be first in line to buy a copy of her book next week! I love a great historical and this one is set in Roman times! I can’t wait. Please give a warm jungle welcome to Carla Capshaw!!!
Hi Plotmonkeys!
It’s so great to be here. Thanks for inviting me, Julie. :-)
I’m a new writer–sort of. I’ve been writing Historicals since 2002 and I sold my first book two years ago. Since then I’ve sold two more, but the first one, The Gladiator doesn’t come out until next week. So, while I’ve been around the writing block a few times, I’m only now getting to shed my debut author status. :-)
Anyway, about a month ago, I received my author copies of The Gladiator. As you might expect, I ripped open the box, grabbed up a book and squealed while jumping around in circles of delight. Once I calmed down, I reverently stroked the cover and began to gently turn through the pages, reading every word including the copyright. lol
Then I got to my dedication page. Like most everyone else, my dedication page is filled with thank-yous to the most important people in my life–my son, parents, agent, editor etc., but it also lists my critique partners. Thanking CPs is not new, I know, but my critique partners — Stacey Kayne, Sheila Raye, Paisley Kirkpatrick and Jean Mason–are the best, seriously. All four of them go beyond the call of duty for me and offer endless encouragement. they also tell me when something is garbage. I love them and appreciate them dearly.
As it happened, around the same time I got my books, I was talking to a new writer about the importance of finding the right CPs and how helpful or detrimental they can be to our writing. Like a lot of writers, I worked with loads of CPs when I first started putting my fingers to the keyboard. At one point, I was critiquing for about twenty-five people. I remember getting to where I didn’t have time to write my own stuff because I had so many chapters to go over. Something had to change if I was going to get anything of my own written. Over time, I whittled those twenty-five CPs down to a manageable group using the following criteria. Of course, these points are my own and what’s important to me may not be important to you, but no matter where you are in your writing journey, if you plan to have a critique partner or partners, here are some points you might want to consider:
1.) Mutual reading enjoyment. There are few things worse than having to slog through someone’s work when you don’t like reading it. If you don’t like someone’s work it will show in your comments and your attitude. You may end up hurting more than helping. The same applies to you and your work. Look for CPs who genuinely like your writing. If someone is hating on your stories all the time (under the guise of being “helpful”), it’s difficult to feel enthusiastic or hopeful. However, when someone genuinely likes your work, it’s easier to accept criticism because you know they want your story to be as good you do.
2.) Mutual respect. This can mean something different for everyone. Basically, do they respect your time and efforts even if they don’t agree with you? Do they think they can learn from you or must you alone be taught? Do they get your work back to you in a reasonable period time or take forever while *expecting* you to read and resend right away. Basically, if someone doesn’t respect you and/or your work you can do better in the CP stakes and you should, imo.
3.) Remember that your work is yours. CPs have an opinion. That’s all. In this regard a CP is similar to a contest judge. You take the good and chuck the bad. You own your work and you have to be true to yourself and your story. If a CP gets miffed because you don’t follow *all* of their advice or if you find yourself changing your work to please a CP, get a different one. This kind of writing relationship isn’t healthy and in the long run you may end up losing your voice or writing like a pale comparison of your CP.
Ok, so those are just a few things to look for when searching for a well-matched CP. Some of you more experienced writers probably have lots of other suggestions. If so, what are they? And newbies, if you’ve started looking for a CP what characteristics in a partner do you want most?
Thanks again for letting me visit with you today, Plotmonkeys. Happy reading!
Carla Capshaw’s debut novel, The Gladiator, is available next week from Love Inspired Historical and enjoying great reviews. In January 2010, The Duke’s Redemption, set in Revolutionary War-torn Charleston, SC hits stores. Currently, she’s back in ancient Rome working on a sequel to The Gladiator. She hopes you’ll visit her website: www.carlacapshaw.com to read excerpts of her books and come back often to learn more about her future projects.
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Welcome, Carla and congratulations! I’ve always been fortunate with CP’s. I have always had a CP that matched my strengths, picked up my weaknesses and respected my work! Great advice!!!
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Congrats Carla on your lst release, & really enjoyed your discussion of CPs. Hope your book sells really well for you. Good luck.
Patricia
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Woo-hooo on the new release!!
I sort of stumbled upon my CP’s but, like you, feel like they’re the best in the word. We belong to the same RWA Online chapter and became friends through the chat room. We’d do timed writing sessions and encourage each other to write. It evolved over time and now they’re not only my CP’s but my best writing friends.
We still write together, as well as critique. But we’re also each other’s cheerleaders. Sometimes we have to talk each other down from the ledge..whether that ledge be the delete key wielded on an entire manuscript or the surprise gallon of icecream we found in the freezer that will totally blow our Weight Watcher’s points for the week.
This business is so solitary, I absolutely cherish those friendships. And I have a ton of respect for them as writers and as women. They have made a huge difference in my writing. They’ve also helped me grow as a person.
But wait…that sounds more like a dedication than what to look for doesn’t it?
Although, I think it also sums up what I looked for and why it works so well.
Have a great weekend everyone!! And congrats again on the new release!!
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Congratulations, Carla!
Ah, the care and feeding of the mythical CP is almost as much an art as the care and feeding of the mythical Muse. When you find a good one (two/more), hang on tight. I would add just one thought: Don’t be afraid to “interview” a CP, especially if it’s a new relationship. Give it time. See if the writing relationship is going to gel.
As you said, always remember, the writing is yours. You need to have faith in it first and foremost. I’ll often play devil’s advocate with my CP, make her defend a scene–not to convince me, but to convince herself. I won’t even tell you what she does to mine.
I’m about 4K words behind on the WIP. I think I’ll go…..
:fallleaf: Happy Saturday, Plotmonkeys!
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Hi everyone
Thanks for the great comments and congrats on my book. :-)
Alannah, don’t worry about writing dedications to your CPs. Nothing wrong with that. :-) It’s kinda like Thanksgiving when we take a special moment to remember people who are so important to us.
Silver, I love that you grill your CPs and make them defend their scenes for their own good. I may start doing that myself. lol Good luck on your WIP!
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Hi Clara. Great blog, and congratulations on your new release. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews about it!
Talking CP’s – as a newbie I put out a request for a CP on my blog site last week. I’ve got two great CP’s as a result (waves to Jude and Suzanne) and we’ve already shared chapters with each other, which I’ve found very useful and constructive! I was a little apprehensive in asking for a CP – but thankfully have found 2 like minded writers – I just hope they think the same of me! Take care. Caroline x
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Years and years ago I started writing. I knew something was wrong, but what? And if I found out what it was, how would I fix it? Then this blessing happened and the perfect CP for me came into my life. With gentle pushes and then tougher love, she pushed me in the right direction and taught me what was wrong and, amazingly, how to fix it. I am a living testimonial as to how the right CP makes all the difference. I am finalling now and am even testing the Golden Heart waters this year.
How does one say thank you for this gift…
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Welcome to the Jungle, Carla. Congraulations on your new release!
Great advice about critique partners. One thing I would like to add is to not let critique partners “critique” your voice out of your work. I’ve read some contest entries in which I could tell immediately this person had taken each of her CP’s comments and incorporated them into her story. Her voice had been washed away. Very sad.
I have been in critique groups through the years but stopped several years ago. They just don’t work for me anymore.
Take care and have a wonderful Saturday,
Cher
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Congratulations on your book. Love your cover. It sounds like a great book.
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CARLA!
Cheers and congrats on the release of THE GLADIATOR :fallleaf: Woohoo!!!
Love Caros and Palonia!! Readers are in for a real treat–I am blessed to get advance reads *g*
Great blog topic! Critiquing is tricky business, and it can be tough to find the right fit of CP. I started out using contests because I’m really stubborn and wanted feedback I could easily discard if I didn’t agree with it. Definitely have to have a CP you can be totally honest and open with, and never be afraid to walk away from the wrong fit.
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Hi Carla. Loved your post. Congrats. I am so excited to hear about your next book. I love civil war era historicals,and they are harder and harder to find. (IMO). I can hardly wait until your next release. Thank you for sharing. I will be sure to swing over to your website.
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Welcome to the jungle….I am a reader not a writer :) I always enjoy reading about the process :)
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Thank you so much for swing through everybody. And a special thanks to my lovely CPs Paisley and Stacey, as always. :-)
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Great post Carla! The only thing I’d add is that there are different kinds of critique partners. For instance, I have a couple of folks who I brainstorm with. We talk over concepts and character sketches and that all important goal, motivation and conflict in the early stages, and then later we help each explore options for especially tricky scenes when we get stuck. Then I have another couple of folks who will do reads for me when I’ve completed a draft and am ready to go back and do my polishing and revising. Both groups are invaluable to me.
Congrats on your debut – Gladiator is and awesome book!
Winnie