Writers, you should be picky about critique partners!
Sharing your work in progress is not just about getting “good” advice, its about helpful feedback that keeps you learning and moving toward your goals. If a critique partner has a communication style that doesn’t work for you, you may end up feeling frustrated, more confused, defeated, or shutting down.
Here are things to look for in a critique partner, whether that is a friend, writing group members, teacher, or coach:
Their advice is constructive rather than critical.
You should never feel attacked when being critiqued.
They ask questions.
The right person will have a genuine interest and want their feedback to align with your goals for the piece.
You feel listened to.
You should feel like your critique partner is talking “with” you, not “at” you.
You feel comfortable disagreeing with them.
You should never feel forced to take someone’s advice. It is your work, not theirs, and even if they feel strongly about something, they need to respect your right to say no.
Finding the right people is part of building your personal "Writer's Ecosystem" that keeps you going when the going gets tough. Listen to your intuition.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about the "Writer's Ecosystem" fill out my contact form!
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