I think there are a lot of unrealistic ideas and/or expectations about what critique partners can or cannot do for you out there. I’m constantly amazed by some of the things people say they want from their CPs, but they don’t realize that it’s not something their CPs can do for them. Here’s a partial list:

1. Help me write / finish my story.
2. Help me with motivation.
3. Help me with basic grammar.
4. Help me get an agent and/or sell.

Help me write / finish my story.

Unfortunately, your CPs can’t write your story for you. The only thing they can do is help you improve what you’ve already written. That’s it. I’m hugely puzzled by the idea that having a CP or two can magically help people finish their manuscript.

Help me with motivation.

This is somewhat tied to the previous item, but unless you’re already motivated deep in your heart, I don’t think anyone can help you. I think a CP can provide a shoulder to cry on when you get really discouraging rejections, cheer you on, etc., but I honestly don’t think they can help you become motivated. I’m not saying that a support network is useless, just realize its limitations. If all that was needed was a CP to be motivated, everyone with a CP would be writing and producing saleable projects. Sadly, this isn’t the case.

Help me with basic grammar.

Unfortunately, you have to learn basic grammar yourself. I’m not talking about something like how to use comma or something that can be a matter of style (depending), but I am talking about not using the right tense, etc. I know it can be hard, and I make mistakes, too. We’re all human. But the last thing your CPs want to do is fix every single basic grammar mistake you make. I’ve seen people submit incoherent — incoherent because of horrific grammar –chapters for critique. I couldn’t tell who was doing what or to whom because none of the sentences had clear subjects, verbs, objects, etc. That’s bad. I usually ignore such chapters because I don’t feel like spending an entire week trying to decipher each line, and I personally feel that it shows a disregard for your CP’s time. A writer’s tool is language, and the basic engine of clear communication is grammar. So learn it well. Your chances of finding good CPs and keeping them will increase.

Help me get an agent and/or sell.

I think good CPs can help make your writing stronger, which increases the likelihood of your landing an agent and/or publisher. But I don’t think that your CPs can actively help you get an agent or sell. You have to learn the industry, and you have to do the research and so on yourself. You can ask more experienced CPs for help, but ultimately, it’s your career.

I hope this is helpful. Feel free to comment on any other unrealistic expectations you’ve seen and how your crit partners have been helpful, or anything else you feel like talking about.

• Complete All the King’s Women Fast Draft. ETA: May 14.
• Start Nine Final Draft. ETA: May 16.
• Complete at least 50% of Nine Final Draft revision. ETA: May 31.
• Read four new-to-me books. ETA: May 31.

• Complete All the King’s Women Fast Draft. ETA: May 14.
• Read four new-to-me books. ETA: May 31.

I can’t believe I forgot to do this. Better late than never.

• Enter the Shomi Contest with Nine. ETA: April 7
• Finish Maass revision on Nine. ETA: April 30. Completed on April 29.
• Read four new-to-me books. ETA: April 30. Read only three.

I turned 30 today. I was dreading it for a while, but it was fun actually. And rather productive.

The day started out with breakfast. BF made it. Well, he always cooks breakfast, but today was exceptionally nice: a cheese omelet with red bell peppers and some spicy potatoes.

And while he was working, I revise two chapters, checked emails, etc. I also got a card from Mom with an international money order inside. (BTW — note to everyone: if you send an international money order, make sure to fill out every single blank space you’re supposed to fill out or it’s going to be near-impossible to cash it.) BF and I had sushi and cake for lunch. I revised another chapter, then practiced the new scales (with something like five sharps and one double-sharp) and read. Very very satisfied with the day.

P.S. If you’re wondering what BF got me for my birthday — he gave me a copy of Rascal. It’s out of print, but he found a nice hard cover. W00t!

Jessica said some interesting stuff about her resistance:

The one I really want to talk about is the big scary one that looms eternally in front of me: I just plain don’t write, which is the WORST form of resistance. I do it whether or not something is wrong with the story. Even when things are going well, I’ll find a way to avoid BICFOK. (wow, that looks bad acronymed that way, and stands for butt-in-chair-fingers-on-keyboard. >.>) The worst part is that I don’t do anything productive in place of writing - usually the internets and trolling blogs. The thing is now that I know that this isn’t me with writer’s block (I don’t know that I truly believe in writer’s block, deep down) or me with too little time, I’m responsible to myself to combat this resistance.

I sometimes waste a lot of time doing nothing but web-surfing, but what’s the worst about the resistance I have is that I always feel like I’m not doing enough.

Maybe it’s because there are so many people who produce like…six books a year or something. I just can’t write that fast, and sometimes I feel totally inadequate. (For me, 2 full length STs per year is very very good…) And of course the feeling of inadequacy, etc. only sabotages me further, like somehow I’m not good enough to tell the story or something.

Intellectually I know that I’m not in a competition to produce as many words as possible. But emotionally…aye, there’s the rub.

My CP Fionn’s blogging about alpha heroes today. Go check it out!

1. Because no matter how much you think butter and sugar make delicious cake, you can’t add an unlimited amount of both. Just like no matter how much you think showing is better than telling you can’t write a story by showing only.
2. Because stories and cake come in many different flavors.
3. Because it takes skills. And some talent.
4. Because it takes a very short time to enjoy the finished product, but takes much longer to make it.
5. Because it can be as big as or as small as you want.
6. Because every layer must be of the same high quality in order for it to be just right.
7. Because presentation matters. Ugly covers are like ugly deformed cake. Nobody really wants to buy fugly cake.
8. Because both jobs can be sweaty and messy.
9. Because I like both.
10. Because I’m still trying to improve both.
11. Because they both require patience from me.
12. Because I can share the finished product with others.
13. Because when done right, finished products are decadent in their own ways.