After I answered an E-mail this week to a friend who is writing a manuscript, I decided to post a bit of the answer here. Hope it helps! Most authors with websites get requests to critique manuscripts. Most will not consider it because of legal issues. And others, who might be willing, are usually balancing deadlines and families and, although they'd like to, don't have the time.

     Getting a good critique of your work is important if you're trying to get published for the first time. Here's the best advise I can give. To find other writers in your area, check out your local library. Many people write at the library because it's a quiet place and often they will ask at the reference desk for help with their research. Some libraries keep a list of local writers. You can also check at local art associations, at bookstores, with local writers conferences, and at your church. You are trying to find at least one other author, maybe two---not too many! who you can trust with your creative process. You are also looking for a writer who is at about the same level you are, ie., they aren't published yet but they're writing every day and making contacts. Get together once every week or two and read each other's pages. Listen to what your critique partner has to say but then, stick to your guns about the changes you make. Only make a change in your manuscript if you agree that the suggestion makes your writing better. You'll be amazed how much you will learn from this process, but you MUST be lighthanded and constructive with the ideas you give each other. Only make a change if you agree with it. Remember, you can change something too much. You can work too hard on  piece and edit it into oblivion. My rule of thumb is three-times-over a graph, then move to something new. Always pray before you start.

     If you aren't compatible with someone don't be shy about being honest and looking for someone different. Remember, you are writing for worship and you are writing to get the Gospel out to a hungry world. It's worth making your story the most powerful and honest and real and vulnerable that you can. Don't step away from the River Jordan when you get to the banks. Too many people get to that point and turn around, afraid. I almost did when it came to writing this latest book with Joyce. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the absence of thinking about yourself. Think only of the power of your Heavenly Father who loves you beyond all measures. Dive in.

     In His Love,
     Deborah

Dear Deborah,
A few years after moving to this area, I enrolled in a half-day, library-sponsored, class about getting published. At least twenty adults signed up for the class, taught by a local published author. Most attendees seemed to know the instructor, also the manager of the local arts and crafts shop.

Repeatedly, during the class, the instructor urged persons to join a local writer's group. One-by-one, attendees asked questions about such groups. One-by-one, each query received the same response or comment from the instructor/author. "Well, no one here has ever published, so . . ." At the end of the class, I asked the instructor for writer's group information. I was adamantly told, "Only well-known, widely published authors are allowed."
Sad, isn't it? Note: More than 11 of us present were published authors.

I am getting ready to start writing and I am doing my best to research first. I am open to any and all advice,tips,etc., from anyone who is willing to help. I have only shared this with one person due to fear of discouragement from others.