How to Find a Critique Buddy by K.R. Morrison, author of “Be Not Afraid”

About K.R. Morrison

K R Morrison lives in the Pacific Northwest, with her husband of 25 years, a small zoo, and the occasionally visiting college-age child.

You can find out more about her and her work at http://www.benotafraidthebook.com

How to Find a Critique Buddy

First of all, it’s important to realize that the more help gotten during the creating process, the better. I really appreciate my writers’ support group, because it gives me some objective feed-back on what I have written.
You can go with just a one-on-one, or with a group, for critiquing and support. I have both.

Because my first book has so many aspects of the spiritual realm, I felt a clerical opinion was important, so I had my pastor and ex-pastor read it before I sent it off.

Also, on the advice of a friend, I joined a writers’ group, where I met some people with the same goals I have.

The best way to find a critique buddy, from my experience, is to just merely ask someone. I have had no end of volunteers to read my book and let me know what they think.

I pretty much scatter-shoot, asking anyone who sounds interested. I have had feedback from friends, family, complete strangers, and friends of friends.

If you are looking for a one-on-one, someone who you want to rely on as a regular contributor, I would strongly suggest looking into writers’ groups and finding someone who you truly feel in sync with. But be careful that you don’t choose someone who is going to be mainly negative. I have known people who gave up writing for years because the group s/he was in had nothing but negative things to say about everyone. S/he is still leery about writing, although several of us have read his/her work, and it is really good. We hope to get him/her encouraged enough to try again, and soon. The world is missing out, in my opinion.

For readability, it would be a huge plus to find someone whose grammar and spelling are really honed. Trusting spell-check or grammar-check software is folly; I have read a lot of books in the past few years that were somewhat spoiled by the use of the wrong word or having missing/misspelled words.

Remember, “buddy” is the operative word. Get involved with a writing group, and get to know the members. You will find someone with whom you click, and then the mutual support can begin!

About Be Not Afraid

War is imminent. Evil has overtaken the world, although the world does not know it. God must intervene on the behalf of those who love Him, and a war is brewing that will decide supremacy.

God’s plan unfolds, and His subjects must retain their faith in the midst of every evil the Father of Lies can throw at them. Lydia, because of her strong faith, is particularly seized upon by Vlad, a demonic vampire. He brings her to the brink of despair, unknowingly causing her to cling even harder to her Lord and Savior. When she is miraculously saved, Vlad finds and then harasses her friends and family, unaware of the angels and saints who are on the brink of attack against him and his minions.

The faithful are tested to the ends of their abilities. Will they be able to stand fast against the power of Death, remembering that God is with them? Or will the Father of Lies rise triumphant?