Several months back I joined a manuscript critique group through Writer's Market. The game plan was to read each manuscript in it's entirety, give a detailed written critique and try to meet up a few times on Skype to give verbal critiques. I even went out and bought a microphone for my computer for this purpose.
By chance my manuscript happened to go last. My two "partners" received timely, detailed written and oral critiques from me. I read their pieces during my lunch breaks and my days off because I was dedicated to this group and it's purpose. When my turn came I did not get the same level of respect. They both claimed they were too busy with family events, vacations, ect...
They didn't read my piece by the deadlines we all agreed on and there was only one Skype meeting where one member was missing. One of my partners didn't give any written critique on the last section of my book because they claimed "it would just be more of the same things she already told me." Ouch! I personally don't commit to something unless I feel I can follow through. I tried chasing them down via email, but the one time they were willing to Skype I happened to be unavailable, so now I was the un-cooperative one.
I'll tell you what this did to me as a writer...I stopped writing altogether. I gave up on editing my manuscript because they made me feel like shit as a writer. Apparently my manuscript was so bad and unworthy of their time. I get that this is a harsh industry and tons of agents/publishers will probably do the same thing to me, but I didn't expect it from fellow writers. And I feel used since I gave them critiques on their pieces but never fully got one on mine.
It's been months and what's done is done. They've moved on, but I'm still hurt. I worked so hard on my manuscript and really put myself out there for them to read it and help me craft it, they just abandoned me. I don't even go on Writersmarket.com anymore either...turned off by it all. How unfortunate that two people ruined the entire experience for me.
On a side note I would like to thank Claire who was my faithful chapter exchange buddy on another manuscript until my life began to unravel around me and I gave up. Thank you for your loyalty and consistent critiques.
Visiters
About Me
- ElbieNy25
- "Scars are proof that we were brave enough to fight the battle and strong enough to survive it"-me 2008 Unfortunately/fortunately I have many scars from life, but I'm still here. I've been writing for over twenty years and just recently finished my first manuscript entitled "The Journey". I love peopl; they fascinate me with their stories, quirks, and mysterious ways.
5 comments:
How sad. But unfortunately, that's a writer's life. I once had 2 critique partners and thought we were doing really good. Then they found better partners and threw me out of the group.
Crushed me at the time. Doesn't bother me any more. I write. No one may like what I write, no one may read what I write, no one may publish what I write. But I can't stop. It's what I do.
If you're a writer, you write. And you're a writer. So write.
Awe Laura. I'm sorry to here that I've been there and you're not alone. Beta reading is a big responsibility and I take it very serious.
If you want, send your MS to me. I've be finished with my current project by mid November and would love to read your MS. You did such an awesome critique of True Beginnings I'd read anything you'd like anytime.
We miss you on YA/Crossover.
Hope to TTYS:)
T.
You're welcome hon.
Here's my take. There's always a lesson you can learn from anything in life. And there are always things you can take away from the critiquing process.
Don't let this get you down. Regroup and come back stronger. Yes, you need work, but don't we all?
I'm very guarded about my work and very limited to who I send it to also. I am so glad that you picked it back up and have began working on it again. You are very talented I don't let anyone convince you otherwise.
I'm really sorry that you had a bad experience. T is right it is a big responsibility and it is hard to find the right beta readers and people to trust with your work and your feelings.
I'm sorry to read this. I was once "fired" by a critique partner (ha - she didn't critique and she wasn't a partner - for sure!) ... I even blogged about the experience. She was a stinker. And it was very discouraging.
However, I have found some amazing critique partners since then and they have been so very helpful.
And yes, like Claire said above, we all need work. But that's the point of having crit partners!!!
Hang in there. Keep writing. Get published before the stinkers. :)
Post a Comment