Taking a chance on a writers workshop website

[adriennef]

A friend at work introduced me to a British website for new writers, You Write On, where users can exchange constructive criticism for novels and short stories, whether they be completed or in progress. It is sponsored by the Arts Council and those who are rated well will have their work looked at by industry editors and agents. My friend, by the

Comments

Online writer's groups

[llewelynmcellis]

Some friends and I started an online writer's group a few years ago. We have a password protected archive you can upload entire novels into with a review feature for chapter by chapter critique, a forum for challenging discussions and prompts. When we first started we had a good number, probably about thirty writers. We always had people reading and critiquing, but the serious writers seem to be all that's left now, and there is little to no feedback or critique offered anymore. I've been looking to expand and invite others until we find a happy balance again, but there is something about newer writers that you mentioned in this post that caught my eye. Many of them only seem to want a pat on the back and told that they are good writers, rather than a full critique on what you really think overall. The internet age has made it easier than ever for writers to share online and get instant feedback, but most of it is cotton candy flavored and not anything you can use long term.

If you're ever looking for another workshop to join, drop me a note. We may be small, but sometimes the smaller the better. You get a better chance of an honest critique from a loyal reader.

Re: Online writer's groups

[adriennef]

Not only are new writers looking for a pat on the back, but they're expecting to be introduced to editors and agents.

Thanks for the invite, but at this stage I need to concentrate more on my writing than critiquing. If nothing else, writing reviews for Epinions continues to keep my critiquing skills in practice.