I joined my first writing program in San Francisco in 2006 and it was great. But—it was just that, a writing program geared toward including a lot of members. The structure was based on a community numbering around 50 different writers. I got a lot of work done in the program (started and finished my first novel), but I didn’t make the close friends I was hoping to find there.
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writing groups
There is a difference between a Critique Partner and a Beta Reader.
A Critique Partner is someone who approaches a manuscript from the point of view of a writer.
They are prepared to hone in on the nitpicky stuff, be blunt with their criticism, and give ample notes on where the story just doesn’t work.
It’s no secret that a lot of writers feel isolated in their work. We would love to meet other writers and be part of a group that meets our particular writing needs. But when most writers start looking around their local area for a writing group to join, they end up disappointed. I believe this happens because…
In today’s writing culture workshops, critique circles, and beta-reading partners are the norm. Writers are so focused on feedback—any feedback—that they frequently rush through writing two or three pages of the beginning of a story and then immediately hand it off to their writing buddies for comments and suggestions.
National Novel Writing Month has something for writers of every personality type. Tight deadlines for those who work well under pressure, well-deserved admiration for those who thrive by having their talents recognized, and the freedom to work with or without an outline, according to individual creative taste.