...critique stuff

i hear lots of stuff about how getting what we write critiqued and making sure we get a really good cp (critique partner) could be a really big help on making our stuff lots better. i got a really nice cp but i gotta tell you the truth is i got lots of questions cause for sure i dont know so much about critiques or being a good critiquer and i wanna be a really good one. so whos the best person i could ask? my cool cp! and thats miss sharon at random thoughts. its pretty nice she took time to answer stuff for me. im sharing it with you cause maybe it could help you too.

heres what i asked and what she said…
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1. is a critique more different than a review?
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It's very different than a book review, because you are trying to help the writer improve his/her story. In a book review you are summarizing the story and telling why you liked or didn't like the book.
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2. does a critique mean you gotta check all that grammar and punctuation stuff?
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By the time you send your manuscript out for a critique you should have all your spelling, punctuation and grammar problems fixed. It doesn't mean your cp won't find a mistake, but you don't want them to have to look at little things like that when they are spending time on your manuscript. You'd rather they spent time telling you if something didn't make sense or wasn't logical.
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3. does a cp do any editing?
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I think that a good cp critiques and edits without thinking about it. I know all my cps do. If they think of a better word than I have, they suggest it. I'm always open to suggestions. I'll use them as long as I think they are better than what I said and I think they sound like me. It's important to not forget to NOT lose your voice.
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4. how come we could need someone to critique our stuff?
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We ask people to critique for us because it makes our work stronger. We are beginners and we are learning by helping each other. Just like reading a book, it's another tool to improve your writing skills. Even seasoned authors have agents who are kind of like their critique partners...Although some, like Steve Swinburne, don't have an agent or a cp.
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5. how come some people got more than just one cp?
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One reason to have more than one cp is to get a variety of points of view (POV). I find it really interesting when I send something out to a group of people and they all see different things that could be improved in different ways.
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6. what could you want from your cp that could help you make your stuff better
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It helps me when a cp tells me how they feel about a piece or a character or a scene. Was the character too predictable? Was the character too perfect? Was the bad guy too bad? Is the storyline believable? Did the story touch your heart? (that depends on the type of story) Did the timeline make sense? Did the main character grow or change in some way? Was the character consistent throughout the story? (ie he had brown hair, picked his nose, liked monkeys and had a crush on Sally) Did they live on Drew Street all along? Did the writer change the name of the main character (mc) by accident mid story? Does something not make sense to the reader?
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You want your cp to question you. I ask questions all the time when I'm critiquing someone’s work. If a cp just says your writing is wonderful, you need to get a new cp.
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When I'm critiquing I jot down my thoughts and emotions as I read as well as other comments so that the writer can see what emotions are evoked in me. You want your reader to connect with your story emotionally on some level. I want the author to know when I LOL or when I cry.
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7. is their anything else on critiquing you could want to say
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It's really important to remember that your critique partner is giving suggestions. It's your story and you have to stay true to it and to your voice. You can take the advice you think fits with your voice and dismiss the rest. You always want your story to sound like you. (That's my opinion anyway.)
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BIG THANKS miss sharon! now for sure i could know more about critiquing and im gonna work on being a really good critiquer!
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what do you think could be a big help for you from a cp or a critique?
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…hugs from lenny

p s ...today december 6th is my cp's birthday!  happy birthday miss sharon!