Dear all,
I am writing to offer you the possibility of joining a small fiction writing critique group, The Write Corner (URL:
http://www.fictionline.net/TWC/phpBB2/ note: the forums are locked to public, but you can see the layout). Started in 2003, The Write Corner is an online- and invitation-only critique group, featuring writers of a wide range of genres, from literary to romance to sci-fi to horror and more. Short stories to novels. Think of us not as your typical, massive online writing group, but as a smaller group of writing friends who meet at, say, a library to talk literature and share work. We have some published authors, some up and coming; essentially, a wide mix.
My goal is to add about 10 to 15 members on top of the 15 we already have. I would like to keep the group small as possible while making sure we have plenty of active writers posting new work and critiquing. I find the smaller setting TWC has much more beneficial to learning how to write well. On a forum such as The Write Corner, you really get to know your fellow members, offer and receive honest opinions, while knowing someone took a lot of time to read your work and give advice. (As long as you offer the same work ethic back).
In addition, a few of us have had short stories published thanks to tips and techniques many of out members regularly post.
At this point, I'll quit rambling on and will wait for your response. If you think you'd benefit from a smaller, more private, personalized atmosphere and have a desire to work hard both for yourself and others, let me know. We do require a quick peek at work--though you don't have to have PERFECT prose, our group is intended to move beyond crits of SYNTAX (though we usually comment) and into what might help you make a sale--a strong story, deep characters, a mix of setting and characterization, cutting or adding where necessary, all around decent writing. Larger crit groups are good for help with grammar/syntax. We're the next step.
Either post here or PM me. Possibly link to some of your work, or send me a short bit in a PM. You'll find our "rules" below, and you can make sure you'll still be a fit. After that, we at TWC would be more than happy to have you.
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These are our rules, as voted on by current members, and we do stick by them. Essentially, it comes down to helping out others if you'd like to be helped:
1. First and foremost, we do NOT allow writer bashing within this group. Abuse of the author (i.e. insulting a member's intelligence, skills, beliefs, etc.) will not be tolerated. Keep your focus on the story rather than the author. By all means, constructive criticism is desired, but please balance encouragement with any constructive criticism you offer. If you do not adhere to this rule, you will receive only 1 warning before you are banned with posts deleted. (Other infraction enforcement policies are listed below.)
2. New members will be required to critique a minimum 2 works prior to gaining a forum to post work. Once the new member has critiqued the minimum number of works, the member should contact a board administrator to request a forum.
3. If a member posts a work for critique, the member is required to critique 2 works within 2 weeks from the initial post.
4. If a member does not post a work for critique, the member is still required to critique 2 works per bi-weekly check-in to remain an active member of the board.
5. There is no limit on the number of posts a member can place up for critique as long as the member adheres to the minimum number of critiques in exchange for each work posted.
6. A member may take up to 2 months per year as “leave of absence” (either in whole or broken down) as long as the member advises the board of the leave. Beyond 2 months per year, the member will be removed from the board with the understanding that any former member may ask for re-admittance at a future date.
7. Any member can invite a new person to the group. Once new person is enrolled, the member becomes the responsibility of the board administrator(s).
8. Infraction enforcement policies (exception being on rule #1):
a. For the first infraction, you will receive a reminder via PM and email, if you have the correct email address on record.
b. If the infraction continues after 2 weeks, you will be notified via PM and email of the group’s intention to drop you, thus, allowing you time to collect any works posted on the board.
c. If you have not corrected the matter within an additional 2 weeks, your user account and forum will be locked.
d. If we still have not heard from you in another 2 weeks, your account and forum will be permanently deleted, and you will need to ask for readmission to the group.
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Seems strict, but we're a serious bunch, all trying to tell a great story with hopes that, one day, we might do it for a living.
Thanks! I hope to hear from you.
Best,
--Jon
