Wednesday 23 May 2012

Why you need a crit partner. Also, porn.

Writerly friend Amy Christine Parker  recently wrote a post about how wonderful her crit partners are and suggested her readers do a similar post. So Michelle Krys did. And it sounds like she has this one critique partner that's particularly spectacular. I think her name is Ruth, or something.

I did a google image search under 'big headed' to find this pic. I recommend that you don't do that if you like your eyes because sometimes the interwebz are a bad place, kids. Also, in related advice, do NOT google Puss in Boots while on teaching placement. In front of kids. Yeah, I've never clicked 'close' faster in my life. Ok, back to the point.
So this is my post in the same vein (with added advice on avoiding porn. Or finding it. Whatever).

This is Michelle Krys. You got that, right?

 I've talked about how I met Michelle before. And I know she's going to be thrilled I dug that post out again. And if you don't already know who she is, then you must never have been to my blog before because I kind of never shut up about her. You know those girls who wear the same jeans and drink the same drink and go to the little girl's room together? I think that's us. Except I've never done any of those things in real life with anybody, and also she looks better in those jeans than I do (curse my Hobbit lineage).

Anyhoo, it's my new life mission to make her cry with this post, so get your mac out because you're going to get covered in sap otherwise.

Reasons you should get a crit partner as great as Michelle (but not her. She's busy reading my crappy first drafts).

1) She's read everything I've ever written. And that means my overwrought, craptacular first novel, my endless and obsessive draftings of various query letters (approx seven billion separate critiques. I wish that was an exaggeration) and my self-doubting, whingy, ungrateful and melodramatic emails regarding such subjects as 'I hate my book', 'I hate myself',  and 'Ugh'.

2) She's responded to every single one of those neurotic re-draftings of query letters and emails, often right away (even though she works full-time and has a kid) with stellar advice. She makes me a better writer. And she doesn't judge me for not being a better person.

3) She's a nurse. I can't even drive near the hospital without freaking out and she works there, saving babies lives. I can't fathom how she does it, but I have the utmost admiration for the fact that she does. I've never met her in person, but I'm kind of proud of the fact she does that job (wtf is that about? I have no idea).

4) She's honest about my writing in the most encouraging way you've ever seen. Seriously, it's a skill. How she manages to be that peppy about the fourteenth draft of a pitch for a book I haven't even started yet, I don't know. But she does.

5) Michelle's a great critique partner, but she's also my friend. I don't have to pretend I feel a certain way if I don't. I don't have to hide any part of me as a person (and there are some less than desirable parts), and I don't have to worry that any of my writing ideas aren't good enough or ready enough to show her.

Ok, if you're not in diabetic shock from all that syrup then wth is wrong with you? Is your heart made of coal??

There are other people who have helped me tremendously since I started writing - but they're going to get their own post : ) Michelle gets the whole post to herself for being my bestest critique partner/internet bff. THAT's how much I <3 her. Just sayin'.

19 comments:

  1. Yay for critique partner love! I always look forward to reading your posts because I know they're going to make me laugh out loud (or in this case, sniffle a little).

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    1. Aw, thanks! Let's hope the same can be said about my book. One day : D

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  2. Michelle is awesome!! I won a 10 page critique from her and her comments were so spot-on and helpful. You're very lucky to have her. :-)

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  3. I am so loving that I inspired you guys to write these posts! Michelle has to be blubbering right about now, because I know I just about am for her. AND I love the kitty pic.

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  4. Oh yes, the internet is an evil evil place! Even with super strict mode on in google something always slips through *disturbed* But this post was so cute, congrats on having such a great crit partner!

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  5. SUCCESS! YOU MADE ME CRY! (That saving babies lives thing was a low blow, Ruth :P )

    But seriously, thanks so much for saying all that! I'm honestly touched. Love you!

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    1. HA! Made ya cry! I knew that baby thing would be right on the money. This *was* a contest, right?

      <3 :D

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    2. Aww this is so sweet! I also have a lot of admiration for the NICU nursing job. Michelle has actually cared for one of my babies in the NICU and I can personally say that she did a fantastic job.

      While I'm on the subject, I was at the park two days ago when a lady came up to me and asked if I worked at the hospital. She thought I was Michelle (twins!). She told me that my sister cared for her baby in NICU and did the most amazing job, and said that she felt comfortable leaving her tiny baby there at night knowing she was in her capable hands (plus many other nice things). Yay for awesome nurses!

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  6. lol, "puss in boots" oh dear, I don't think I want to know! Just read Michelle's post about critique partners.You two even have matching blog posts! Cute! :D

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    1. I won't tell you about the time my BIL googled 'manhole covers' then : D

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  7. I'm still laughing over the Hobbit comment....I'd just joined Michelle's blog a week or so ago. I've really enjoyed her posts as I do yours. However, the NICU nurse thing just put me over the edge. She's now going to be one of my favs. Two years ago I had a preemie. I know first hand how wonderful and important NICU nurses are....and here come the tears. (Not to mention very impressive that she balances NICU nurse, writing, blogging and motherhood) Lovely post Ruth.

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    1. Thank you. I don't know how she does it either!

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    2. A woman after my own heart! Thanks so much for saying that! So sweet :)

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  8. Michelle is an awesome person indeed. My mom used to be in the NICU saving those tiny babies. I can't imagine the stress. Add to that the ability to write (well, mind you) and it makes her work all the more impressive.

    Both you (Ruth) and Michelle are destined for great things to come.

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