Everybody Needs A Friend

There are a million different ways to improve your writing.

Writing (obviously).

Reading.

Reading books on how to write.

Reading articles/tips/blog posts on how to write.

Writing some more.

Reading some more.

Writing. . . .

Reading. . . .

(You get the picture.)

But other than writing and reading, the single most amazing thing that will have you taking giant leaps as a writer and growing and understanding the writing process in ways you never would have imagined, is finding a critique partner. Or a couple of critique partners. Or a writing group. Someone who writes just like you do; someone who loves writing and reading as much as you. Someone who will help you hone your craft (and vice versa).

Now, sharing your work can be scary. It can be really scary. I think it will always be scary, whether you've just started your first novel or are a best-selling author with five million awards under your belt. There's always a great element of vulnerability when you take that step and let someone read what you've written, what you've worked so hard on and poured so much of yourself into.

And sometimes it can be hard. It can be really hard. Because sometimes your critique partner won't like it. At all. Sometimes they won't even be able to pinpoint what it is. And you'll fight the urge to cry and shout and throw things across the room, all the while trying to reassure yourself that He/She/They don't know what they're talking about. This is a piece of literary genius and there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.

But then you'll get over yourself. You'll calm down, take a deep breath, and take a look at your manuscript again, trying to see what they think isn't working. Sometimes they'll be wrong. Yes. Sometimes it's just a difference in taste. But most times, even if they aren't 100% right, they're at the VERY least 1% right, and even that 1% is a bump that deserves your attention, a kink that you owe yourself and your writing to work out.

And then there's the surprising side effect of reading THEIR work, feeling off about something and trying to pinpoint what isn't working in their writing. Because trying to work out their kinks helps you understand yours. It really, really does. It helps you understand the mechanics of writing and character arc and plot, equips you with the know-how and the ability to fully control the story, and add or subtract or adjust your style in order to convey what you want to convey. It's such a magic thing: Struggling and finally being able to put into words what does or does not work for your CP's current WIP, and getting that AHA! moment where this hazy vast world of writing becomes just a little clearer than before.

So yes. Sharing your work, even with one person, can be really scary. It can be really hard. But it is also so incredibly rewording, in a multitude of ways. When you find a critique partner who understands your work and what you're trying to do, someone who is respectful but always honest, someone who wants you to constantly improve and doesn't shy away from telling you what they think doesn't work but isn't stingy with the praise when things DO work—well, then you've struck gold.

Be brave. Go out there and find yourself a good writing partner. You'll learn so much. You'll grow, as a person and as a writer. Your writing will improve in ways you never had imagined, in way you never would have thought possible. And if you're really lucky, you'll even make a good friend too.

And everybody needs friends.