I’ve been taking part in http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/ for a couple weeks now, and, even though my free membership period isn’t quite up yet, I’m certain I’ll be taking out a subscription. It has been a great experience so far, on many different levels. Obviously, one takes part in a workshop in the hope that it improves your writing and story. Well, the feedback I’ve been receiving on some chapters and short stories has proven immensely helpful. Enough so that I spent most of this weekend doing major surgery on the first five chapters of a manuscript, and despite some scarring, it came through much improved. I’ve also got a short story under editorial consideration after revising it, so fingers crossed there.
But at the same time, I feel I learn just as much about good and bad writing by taking part in reviewing other people’s work. I’ve come across some great stories and enjoy telling the authors how much I loved the read. Then there are those that obviously need some more work, (mine included) and it’s a challenge to critique and point out the flaws while remaining diplomatic and encouraging.
So if you are looking for a way to get some great, objective feedback on your work, or find a community of writers who care about improving their craft, then I highly recommend you check this workshop out. A lot of professional sales, both short stories and novels, have resulted from people taking part in this system, and it is very rigorous in protecting its participants and fostering a constructive atmosphere where everyone benefits. There is a free first month of participation, and then after that, you can choose various levels of payment, either doing 6$ a month, for instance, or $49 for a year.
Hope to see you on there sometime.
I see that smile.