So recently, I read this manuscript . . . there is no possible way it has ever been seen by the eyes of a crit partner, crit group, or a reader that is not related and blowing sweet felicitation up the backside of the human they birthed. (Or rather, aside from the parental connection–all parents will say it’s great, unless you’re my mom and a former English teacher–sheesh! but I digress, if it did have a pseudo-sorta crit partner, this person needs to be drawn and quartered for the HUGE disservice they have done to the author). I have heard the various debates about crit groups or crit partners or not. Some folks swear by them and some just swear at them.

But there is something to be said for getting a constructive set of eyes to peer at what otherwise might become a much talked about ms, but not for its merits but for its ghastly pitfalls.

Going to Nationals or the like you will hear all the evils of all things writing (along with the joys of writing, don’t get me wrong, it’s a great place to be inspired, but the horror stories, oh the horror…). And those with “former” crit partners can fill you ears with all the mistreatments and injustices they have been dealt by a bad crit partner. And I’ll bet for some, they are underplaying it a bit as not to say, “I brought it on myself by hooking up with crit-partner-from-hell.”

You will also hear those who can’t thank enough the people who have helped them get through the crunch time or plothole pitfalls. It’s such a delicate balance though, I can see why it may be hard for a new writer to find THE ONE who compliments them at their best. But it is WORTH the time weeding through folks! I swear it is! Otherwise when you send out your ms to contests your judge may consider gouging out their eyes and that of the coordinator who sent it to them with every mind-screaming-for-it-to-end newbie mistakes that drives readers and authors alike mad!

I think a good crit partner is like a BFF, when it’s great it’s great. When it’s not great eh, you’ll get through it because they’re worth it. But that’s just the opinion of someone who has had good crit partners. Tell me what y’all think in the “crit or not to crit” debate, I’m curious . . . .