tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post2937761728392382171..comments2023-12-30T13:57:12.322-08:00Comments on Leigh Ann Kopans, YA Author: How to Have a Healthy CP relationshipLeigh Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15827971896088856057noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-67547215857949145242011-12-22T21:38:12.958-08:002011-12-22T21:38:12.958-08:00Oh man, being a good CP is totally all about findi...Oh man, being a good CP is totally all about finding the perfect balance between slavish-adoration-cheerleading and Simon Cowell. Sounds like you've got a good crew. :)<br />Hope you're having a happy Hanukkah! (Which, sounds like you are. ^_^)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-88887093692296610002011-12-22T11:04:33.596-08:002011-12-22T11:04:33.596-08:00@Miss Cole - I've already had kind of the same...@Miss Cole - I've already had kind of the same experience. My MC's reactions made sense in my head, but not in my CP's.<br /><br />@Gina - I love how you can laugh at me even when it's not your turn to crit yet. :P<br /><br />@Chessie - I'm a third of the way through ALEX and I'm up to 500. So we're good.<br /><br />And I know you love it. :)<br /><br />@Amanda - I stalk them on blogs and contests based on how awesome their work is and then beg them to read their stuff.<br /><br />@Jean - Oh, I <3 you. And I'm sure when I'm as good of a writer as you I'll have less dependence on line edits and gushers. :)<br /><br />@Christine - One of my CPs just compared my crits to pouring hydrogen peroxide on a wound. I tihnk they're honest. :)<br /><br />@Elizabeth - THANKS!!! I'm grateful every day.<br /><br />@Heidi - Thankfully, you and I aren't besties (yet.) So you can pour your fabulous blunt crit on my book. <3<br /><br />@Hannah - Thank yoU!!!Leigh Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15827971896088856057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-81971958682939743842011-12-22T09:09:42.832-08:002011-12-22T09:09:42.832-08:00Great post and many good points and reminders for ...Great post and many good points and reminders for those new and old to being a CP :)Hannah Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13967474867428577064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-89035238066418642332011-12-22T06:38:50.237-08:002011-12-22T06:38:50.237-08:00I do think there needs to be a certain amount of d...I do think there needs to be a certain amount of distance with some CPs--so that it is more of a professional relationship--that doesn't mean that CPs can't become friends--it is just a certain kind of friendship.<br /><br />In my experience, becoming too close can change the way one critiques. I have this "problem" with Marie--we know each other and our writing too well. So in reading her work, I kind of know what to expect and I give her certain liberties I wouldn't give to other writers. That doesn't mean it isn't a useful partnership, it just means that I get certain things from her critiques and I need to look elsewhere for those other things.<br /><br />What I do get from her is a kind of bluntness that I never get anywhere else. So I guess there is a lot to be said for having one or two CPs who feel that comfortable with you. <br /><br />Honestly, I think that is why I am a little more distant sometimes--not doing to care packages, twitter, etc. It's not that I don't enjoy interacting with my online CPs, it is just that I want to create a relationship that is about the writing.Heidi Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15056627400336997554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-69519895524353566132011-12-21T23:26:53.652-08:002011-12-21T23:26:53.652-08:00I love this post so much! You say my thoughts perf...I love this post so much! You say my thoughts perfectly.<br /><br />It is so important for CPs to be encouraging as well as completely honest, because without a healthy dose of each, the relationship just doesn't work. And the writer and work suffers. It's very hard to find a group of good critters like that. <br /><br />It sounds like you have a great group of CPs! <br /><br />What? Me? Jealous? Nope. Not at all...Elizabeth Hollowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14137733615625501785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-35280434164475229042011-12-21T07:44:09.647-08:002011-12-21T07:44:09.647-08:00Great post! I'm big on encouraging and getting...Great post! I'm big on encouraging and getting excited on the first read. I've been learning a lot this year about critiquing. I think it's important that you and your CPs are always learning, making yourselves better so you can help one another. Always be honest too. It's better coming from you than an editor or agent!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-79779353372664935342011-12-21T06:49:36.079-08:002011-12-21T06:49:36.079-08:00I'm gushing I'm so proud of you! I still m...I'm gushing I'm so proud of you! I still marvel over how much you have learned, and so FAST! I really can't wait to read ONE! <br /><br />I'm particular about my crit partners. It's a long story... but I think a bad crit can really ruin a good work. Or, too much crit can ruin a good work. And, taking all the crit you get... can DEFINITELY ruin a good work.<br /><br />My main three CP's are all professionals. One is a book/movie guy, one is an editor, and one is an author. They don't really spend a lot of time gushing over my writing. It's either marketable, or not. It's either worth their time, or not. But, the fact they are there... reading my pages and sending notes... shows they are invested enough in Camp Paradise to make it the best story it can be! That is, at the end of the day, worth more to a writer than just an empty compliment! <br /><br />But, my other CPs are also just as helpful. Sometimes, they simply reiterate what the professionals said and sometimes they give a fresh perspective that I (and others) haven't seen! It's all helpful!<br /><br />And yes, they are also more likely to gush on my book. But, I absolutely need that, TOO! Because, it doesn't matter how great your story is... or how many contacts you have... or who is waiting for your MS at the end of the day, this is a tough and fickle business and there are NO GUARANTEES! Sitting down to a blank page and having to create IS HARD! And, pouring your heart and soul into a story that may never see the light of day, IS TORTURE! That doesn't change whether you're a "newbie" or not! <br /><br />But, knowing that someone loves your story, believes in your MS, and is ROOTING FOR YOU... can make all the difference in the world whether you finish the book, and persevere through the business of writing, or not!Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141959486950915798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-7008740715582120612011-12-21T06:46:56.279-08:002011-12-21T06:46:56.279-08:00How did you find your CP's/decide you wanted t...How did you find your CP's/decide you wanted to be CP's? Do you also critique their work?Amanda Olivierihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17893676136045249980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-32717839134640083202011-12-21T06:22:39.532-08:002011-12-21T06:22:39.532-08:00Oh my God. 110? I think I might've reached 110...Oh my God. 110? I think I might've reached 110 about halfway through TT...<br /><br />Well, at least I know I'm doing my job! And honestly, I think it's a huge mistake to think that just because someone says they love something means they can't/won't find anything wrong with it. <br /><br />And I do love ONE. Which means that those 110 comment bubbles were comment bubbles of love. I feel like first-round CPs are like the nurses that make sure your baby is okay to leave the hospital after it's born.Francesca Zappiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16876692064254806825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-47065660966897409202011-12-21T04:14:45.843-08:002011-12-21T04:14:45.843-08:00I did a post once on the importance of honesty fro...I did a post once on the importance of honesty from critique partners too, because it can't be all sunshine and kittens or you're not doing your CP's any favors.<br /><br />I had to laugh at how you changed the villian's name halfway through and left it. Your bad habit in TT was having people disappear from scenes halfway through and I'd be thinking WTF... did I miss something?? LOL<br /><br />Can't wait for my turn to read! So glad I'm round 2, because now I'll be able to give the attention it deserves :)Gina Cioccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18024256412233972412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4058856697581528687.post-76099828648204703992011-12-21T03:14:06.549-08:002011-12-21T03:14:06.549-08:00I'm loving having someone else's perspecti...I'm loving having someone else's perspective on my story. While I may have eventually picked up on the spelling and grammar issues, there are plot and characterisation issues I never would've picked up on.<br /><br />The best example is my MC, who gets too angry too often. I'm chilling her out, but I'm ensuring I strike the right balance between the suggestions and what *I* still want my story to be. And my MC can't be totally mellow. I just need to rein it in a bit.<br /><br />And I have created my first shipper. I'm so happy ^_^Miss Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05014234633679291480noreply@blogger.com