I’m one of those weird people who never lets my family or close friends read my books. They kind of hate me for it. (But in a good way, of course). I have my reasons though …
*Why my mom is not my critique partner*
“Your book is okay, but that story you wrote in second grade was your best work. That one showed true creativity and was so imaginative. You were so cute back then, what happened?”
*Why my dad is not my critique partner*
“I rarely speak more than 10 words a day, and telling you everything you’d need to fix would use up my allotment for the year.”
*Why my brother is not my critique partner*
“You know, I went to med school. Beat that, little sister.”
*Why my other brother is not my critique partner*
“I went to law school. Beat that, little sister. Also, you need MOAR DRAGONS!”
*Why my sister is not my critique partner*
“I’m too nice to say anything bad, so …” *looks around awkwardly*
*Why my college roommate is not my critique partner*
“I thought you said you were hoping to get published soon? Didn’t you say that, like, five years ago?”
*Why my toddler is not my critique partner*
“Gah boo dee ma ba ba. Hi Hi! Yeah. Daddy. Daddy! DADDY DADDY DADDY!”
*Why my critique partners are who they are*
Because they are so helpful, so willing to reread any number of scenes, so encouraging, so nit-picky, so GENIUS, so wonderful that I wouldn’t have it any other way. Love you guys and gals.
P.S. To my family – you know I love you more than anything.
Do you share your work with family and friends? Why/why not?
E.J. Wesley says
February 15, 2013 at 5:06 pmHilarious and very true. 🙂
Shelley Sly says
February 15, 2013 at 5:40 pmHaha. The college roommate one especially rings true to me. Thank goodness for actual CPs/betas!
Optimistic Existentialist says
February 15, 2013 at 5:53 pmI sometimes share work with my fmaily or friends but not normally, as most of them do not have in interest in writing 🙂
Kelly says
February 15, 2013 at 6:02 pmI love how we both posted today on our awesome CPs 😉 And you are SO right on the whole family/friend thing. I can't even imagine giving this current story to my dad!
tianasmith says
February 15, 2013 at 9:19 pmKelly – I know, how ironic, right? We must have been sharing a brainwave. 🙂
Dianne K. Salerni says
February 15, 2013 at 8:25 pmHa, ha, ha! I have 2 awesome critique partners, but I do let family read my work because:
My husband has a knack for pinpointing action or dialogue that is just slightly "off."
My daughters tell me when my MG and YA characters "wouldn't say that."
And finally, my sister is my cheerleader and it makes my day when she texts me and says "Send more asap!"
Julie Dao says
February 15, 2013 at 9:38 pmLOL!!! And awww, how do you know your toddler isn't saying something incredibly insightful about Chapter Five… except in toddlerish? HAHA. I'm with you, I never ever share my work with family. Friends, maybe, especially if they're in the publishing industry or if they read a lot of YA/MG.
tianasmith says
February 15, 2013 at 9:44 pmJulie – LOL! Well, when he learns to read maybe I'll let him have a shot 😉
Morgan says
February 15, 2013 at 11:22 pmOh my gosh, Tiana, I'm DYING… this is SO FUNNY…
I don't share my work with my family either—hubby hasn't even read my latest book. My mom hates YA and fantasy, so she's not exactly the best person to have read, lol. And it never occurred to me to have anyone else read… seems… awkward?
My problem is sometimes I don't believe my CP's… I mean, I believe the parts I need to fix, but I have a hard time believing any compliments, LOL. I don't know what I'd do without my amazing betas–but I think the two best editing tools along with CP's are 1). Time away from your MS and 2). Your gut. It's amazing how spot on that little voice inside of you is.
And I'm dying with the "Daddy, daddy, daddy!!!" <—-Sooooo cute!!!!!
tianasmith says
February 16, 2013 at 4:07 pmMorgan – he is SUCH a daddy's boy. My son would do anything for his daddy, which, you know, I don't really blame him 😉
jenna123 says
February 16, 2013 at 3:44 pmThe one about your dad is PERFECT! And yes, that brother would be wondering why their weren't dragons. He would also be wondering why you're bothering with your own story when he has so many awesome ones he wants you to write for him!
tianasmith says
February 16, 2013 at 4:08 pmJenna – There may be dragons, but they don't really show up until the end. I'm sure in his mind that would be waaaaaay too late 🙂
DL Hammons says
February 17, 2013 at 3:58 pm*Giggling*
My wife is actually my #1 Beta Reader…but not so much a CP. She is an voracious reader and an excellent sounding board for what works and doesn't work. I also let my mother-in-law read my book before anyone else, but just so she's included. I can't trust her opinion (its always uber-positive) but she gets a kick out of being part of the process.
A good CP is worth their weight in gold!! 🙂
tianasmith says
February 17, 2013 at 6:08 pmDon – I do let my hubby read my work. He's the only family member that I do!
L.T. Elliot says
February 18, 2013 at 6:01 amFunny post, Tiana! I'm glad you've got CPs you trust and who love your work! 😀
I don't let my family read my work. Mostly because most of them hate fantasy ("It's a waste of your talent.") and because they're plain not interested. I've accepted that and I'm okay with it. Frankly, I think I might be uncomfortable if they DID want to read it. Oh, and don't you HATE that question about publishing?
I hear such good things about your writing, Tiana!
Cortney Pearson says
February 20, 2013 at 6:11 pmBahahaha, this cracked me up! They're all SO TRUE! :-p Idk what I'd do without my mega awesome CP's.
Mary Anne Gruen says
February 22, 2013 at 7:04 pmI love the part about your father the best!
My husband is my first reader. I think he'd agree with your brother on the dragons. The lead dragon is pretty involved from the start, but the others take a long time before coming onstage.
Jamie Burch says
February 26, 2013 at 2:29 amThanks for always making me smile! I love your posts, Tiana. I'm hoping to gain the confidence to find my own CPs very soon. Have a wonderful week!
Lyn Churchyard says
March 1, 2013 at 3:19 amI don't get my family or friends to critique because 1, my family have no interest in my writing and 2, my best friend would tell me it was wonderful even if it wasn't. LOL she tells me the meal I cooked was delicious even though I know it was probably more suitable for the bin 🙂
"MOAR dragons?" LOL well, it does rhyme with "Lor"
Blessings,
Lyn
tianasmith says
March 1, 2013 at 2:26 pmLyn – Here's a definition of MOAR for you 🙂 http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=moar
Lexa Cain says
March 16, 2013 at 10:08 pmAw, this was so clever and funny and sweet! None of my friends/family read my work because none of them are interested. I'm the only "crazy" one who likes horror – everyone else likes realistic mainstream. *sigh*
I found you on DL Hammons blog and followed you over here since you had the same reaction to the writing as I did. Great minds! 🙂
(I thought the "Moar" was deliberate, indicating his dubious spelling skills! lol)
tianasmith says
March 17, 2013 at 1:33 amLexa – Nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by. And yes, isn't it funny how our families all have different perceptions? My parents definitely don't read in my genre, so it's hard for them to really understand why I love it so much. And I never thought about "moar" being a joke about his spelling skills, how funny!
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne says
March 28, 2013 at 2:29 pmThis blog was fun to read. Also, I can relate to it easily. My sister, Holly Humphrys-Bajaj, is a marvelous illustrator but she always tells me she would never be able to write a book herself because her spelling skills are dismal. She tends to spell words phoenetically, so it's a gamble whether they'll be correct or not. I can't even draw stick figures, so I admire her talent. Even our mom thinks my stick figures who are supposed to be little girls look like potatoes! Yikes.
If you'd like to stop by my blog page, you can find out what Charlene the Star does when someone tightens her girth. You'll be surprised how smart she is!
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne says
March 30, 2013 at 4:44 pmI meant to add whenever my mom reads one of our books, she's always SO impressed. But I tell her I could write my name and she'd think it was fantastic! My sister, husband and sons are good critics, though. They often give me a new perspective on something, or have helpful comments.