It takes a team of people to get a story from a bunch of words to a polished book ready for public consumption. If you’ll allow me to bend the sports team metaphor a bit, even in writing we have those who play on the offensive side and others on the defensive side. I’d like to highlight a key member of my defensive team today…another Inspy Romance member you know and love.
Before I get to that, let’s chat about who plays on the two sides. Offensive team members could be those who champion the book: people who help with research to get facts and references correct, agents who pitch the book to possible publishers or sellers, or reviewers and street team members who talk about the book when it’s time to sell. The offending team carries the book into the in zone!
The defensive team members, in comparison, defend against things that could keep the book from being successful—and in some cases, from making it into the in zone altogether! Defenders catch mistakes and suggest ways the story could improve.
Enter in today’s VIP: the Critique Partner! Over the years, my critique partners have been fellow authors within the genre of contemporary Christian romance who are familiar with the market, know what readers are interested in, and have a keen interest in seeing my stories succeed.
Inspy Romance author Jaycee Weaver and I recently partnered to critique each other’s novellas that will appear in the upcoming CCR collection The 80s Rom-Com Club. We exchanged one chapter at a time, returning each one with mechanical/grammatical edits, suggestions for better word choice, questions aimed at tightening the plot or clarifying character arcs, etc. It really is a true partnership in getting the story to the finish line, step-by-step. By the time our collection releases on April 26, countless hours will have been put into each other’s stories, and they’re each better for it. Team work at its best.
What I most love about critiquing for authors like Jaycee, and having them critique for me, is that it fosters a real investment in each other’s success and builds community. The CCR author community is a tight-knit and supportive team. With each book published, we cheer each other on. A win for one author is a win for us all.
Pre-Order The 80s Rom-Com Club Collection Today!
Is there, like, anything more totally awesome than the fun, feel-good rom-com blockbusters of the 1980s? The women who make up the online Just Another 80s Rom Com Lovers Club don’t think so. Join these digital friends as they each live out their own swoon-worthy love stories, minus teased bangs and mini skirts, reminiscent of some your favorite romantic comedies from the most righteous decade.
The collection includes novellas by myself, Jaycee Weaver, Mikal Dawn, Bell Renshaw, Jennifer Rodewald, and Betsy St. Amant. Read about each novella.
Pre-Order the eBook for just $0.99 for a limited time HERE! (Price goes up March 11.) The collection will be available in eBook, paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited on April 26.
Before reading this post, were you aware of the concept of critique partners? Do you enjoy seeing glimpses into the author process? What questions do you have for me or other Inspy Romance authors about how our stories come to be?
Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern contemporary romance inspired by grace. She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications professional. Teresa is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She’s an introverted Enneagram 4 (if you know, you know) and loves coffee, traveling, and almost every genre of music. Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.
YEs I had hear a different author talk abut critique partners. I think that’s awesome. Sometimes I like having glimpses into the writing process. Mostly I like getting to know y’all or get to know your style of writing before purchasing a book. I enjoy the fun facts or stories or thoughts on other subjects. Idk maybe i am odd.
So for a fun fact have your ever had the ITalian HEro Sub from Walmart deli? IF so what did you think of it? If not have you ever had any ther ITalian sammie? And if not what’s your favorite sammie or do you even eat them? (I’m having part of a sub right now since I woke about an hour ago and couldn’t get back to sleep. 3am snack. not the healthiest thing to do….but i could have grabbed the ice cream!!!!! LOL
HAVE A GREAT DAY, TERESA! :D
I’ve not heard of critique partners. I do enjoy learning about the writing process. It’s very interesting!
Interesting concept for an anthology. I got my preorder!
That sounds good! I love a simple BLT. But prefer the bacon thick and not too crispy. Thanks for reading!
Glad to have shed some light for you on our process. Thanks!
Wonderful. Thanks so much, and hope you enjoy.
I’ve heard quite a bit about critique partners from authors I follow. I’m a beta reader for some, proofreader/editor for some, ARC reader for others, on a few street teams. I can see how it all works together to get a book out!
I follow enough authors to understand the concept of a critique partner, but it’s always fun getting to know who their critique partners are (the most fun has been learning of Contemporary authors critiquing for Historical ones and vice versa). :) So yes, I love any and all glimpses into the author’s writing process.
Thank you for all the ways you’ve participated in supporting authors!
Yes, it is fun to make connections between authors. I’ve sometimes discovered pairings I would have never guessed, and think it’s so neat!
Looks like a great book but don’t preorder books.
I’ve actually tried a lot of new to me authors by learning who my favorite authors friends or critique partners are because a lot of them are also writers too.
Yes, I know the concept of critique partners, and I do enjoy seeing glimpses into the author process.
Hi yes, I have heard about critique partners. I do like to see glimpses of the authors process. I love to hear what inspired authors to write the book they have written at the time. Have a great week and stay safe.
I really enjoy learning about what goes into a book. I find it fascinating and amazing. I think having a good critique partner would be very valuable to an author.
Thank you for sharing your interesting thoughts. Love you.
Love your insight.
It makes sense! Like at work – we review each other’s work :)
I think that critique partners would be very helpful.
I have heard of critique partners and it sounds like it can be really helpful. I have been a beta reader for an author and an arc reader and I love getting to support authors in these ways.
fun cover
It sounds great to have people help you grow as an author and kindly comment on your stories. Criticism is good but it needs to be done by people who are genuinely interested in seeing you grow and not just discourage you from writing because they weren’t good enough for them.
Thanks!
I didn’t even think about this bonus of making connections with authors! ;)
Thanks for reading, Tina!
Same to you, Alicia. And, I always enjoy these insights too!
Priceless, really! Thanks for reading today, Lori.
Thanks for reading!
Exactly. It adds a level of confidence in the work, for sure.
Incredibly!
Thank you for serving authors in this way! You’re definitely a valuable member of the team!
Thank you! It was a fun one to design.
That’s a great point. Getting critiques from those whose goal is to help you succeed is priceless!
Thank you so much for sharing. Yes, I was familiar author’s sharing their work to better their writing. I have preordered the book. It sounds like a lot of fun. God bless you.
Yes, love this idea!
Yes I had heard about critique partners and how important they are. I guess a few blogs that are for both readers and bloggers have talked about these processes. One saying how the critique partners are important because friends and family will tell you a book is good even when its not or they only want to be supportive and are don’t like to say anything bad. I had this experience with a friend who decided to start writing and had to creatively mention normally in a story the hero and heroine meet or are introduced in the first couple of chapters. after around 6 or 7 the hero was introduced. She was entering in a contest and thought it needed the background to make it better. Not sure it ever got entered but I know she didn’t keep going. she was doing more to train her mind to do something different.
I find it very interesting & exciting. Love the cover
When making books do you have a hard time with making it so long or making the cover? Love them
Happy reading, and God bless you, too!
Thanks for reading, Susanne!
Yes, the input can be very helpful!
Thanks, Amy!
Designing covers can be tedious, but it’s a fun part of the process for me!
Yes, I have heard of authors having critique partners. This sounds like a really fun collection! How did you all come up with the idea?
Very interesting article. I’m so looking forward to this box set!
This collections sounds like a super fun read!