Trying to find critique partners in your area can be daunting if you don't know a lot of writers to begin with. When your social circle consists of your family, your co-workers and your next-door neighbors, it's challenging to find someone who'll read your work with a critical eye and express their reaction usefully. Unless, of course, you luck out and discover that the person sitting two cubicles over moonlights as a writer, just like you.
But the demographic composition of your social circle doesn't depend entirely on luck. If you can find or free up some extra time in your schedule (not a trivial matter, granted), start participating in activities that involve other writers.
It's the same strategy you might use to find a suitable romantic partner: Put yourself in situations where you're more likely to meet compatible people. To meet other dog lovers, spend time at the dog park and volunteer at the Human Society. To meet other rock climbers, spend time at the climbing gym and attend events there. To meet other writers, take writing classes.
Whether an elective at CU or a workshop at the Boulder Writing Studio, a writing class is golden opportunity. You'll improve your craft, you'll get feedback on whatever you're working on right now, and you're regularly spending time with other writers -- writers who are serious enough about their writing to spend time and money on it, just like you. Take this chance to create working relationships that will last beyond the duration of the class schedule.
Of course, just as "dog lover" isn't enough in and of itself to guarantee a successful relationship, neither is "writer." Notice during class discussion who seems to be on your wavelength. Notice whose feedback helps you improve your story. Notice who shares your goals as a writer.
And notice who really validates you as a writer. Amazingly insightful critique loses its usefulness if it comes with a heaping side-serving of negativity.
Don't confuse "negativity" with "negative comments." A good critique partner won't just heap praises on your writing; they'll tell you what doesn't work, and why. But there's a big difference between "Your characters feel two-dimensional" and "You suck at characterization and you suck as a writer." Similarly, if you're stuck in a dry spell, a good critique partner might share their favorite remedies for writers' block. Or maybe they'll tell you "Get back to me when you're writing again." They're not obliged to hold your hand or let your not-writing hold them back. But anyone who responds to your difficulties with "You're just not cut out for this writing business" is pure poison.
An important test of a writing relationship is how you feel after you've spent time with your writing partner. If meeting with them leaves you energized, great! But if you go home drained and downhearted, wondering why you bother with this writing nonsense, maybe it's time to put the relationship on probation.
And so on and so forth. You get the idea. With all these considerations in mind, maybe it's time to consider signing up for a writing class?
The Boulder Writing Studio has published their 2012 Winter Workshop Schedule. Some of the offerings are already underway, but it's not too late to sign up for the creative writing intro, the intensive poetry workshop, or the advanced novel workshop. There's also an advanced short story workshop whose dates have yet to be announced.
If you're enrolled at a college or university, consider taking a writing elective -- if you're not already in a writing program, that is. Most campuses also offer courses to the community at large. For instance, CU's continuing education program has a Writing and Rhetoric course category whose spring classes are listed right now.
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