|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Oct 27, 2020 18:18:59 GMT -6
I am wanting to find a solid critique group where I live. The ones Ive tried are either not going for a high enough quality bar, have too many readings in a session or week, or are not fine-combing critiques. There is one I do want to try. Costs some money, but its reasonable for one year. Do you think its good to strengthen your writing with a small critique group, where you read a section ever several weeks and edit it (a little or entirely)? That way the words you write are better than the previous section.
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Oct 28, 2020 8:28:45 GMT -6
It's probably because of where I live, remote farming country, but I've had zero luck finding in-person critique groups. The one in-person writers group I was part of many years ago consisted almost entirely of senior citizens. I was in my twenties, so you can imagine the gap. Even that was mostly a support/socializing thing with zero critiquing.
That's why I'm here, in an online critique site, cuz it was my only feasible option.
And, yeah, that reply is not helpful in the slightest, HD, sorry about that. I've read of some authors who had great critique groups that made a massive difference to their careers. Amy Tan comes to mind, with her first novel The Joy Luck Club.
If you try the critique group, best of luck with it. Though, why does it require you to pay?
|
|
farida
Counselor 
Book-ed
Posts: 99
Preferred Pronouns: She/her
HARD: 100
|
Post by farida on Oct 28, 2020 10:07:02 GMT -6
Have you tried Scribophile? It was the next best thing to Legendfire, and I spent a lot of time on that when this forum closed.
|
|
|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Oct 28, 2020 12:58:21 GMT -6
Have you tried Scribophile? It was the next best thing to Legendfire, and I spent a lot of time on that when this forum closed. I am on Scribophile. Its fantastic. But I want to meet writers in person as well. |
|
|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Oct 28, 2020 13:32:31 GMT -6
It's probably because of where I live, remote farming country, but I've had zero luck finding in-person critique groups. The one in-person writers group I was part of many years ago consisted almost entirely of senior citizens. I was in my twenties, so you can imagine the gap. Even that was mostly a support/socializing thing with zero critiquing. That's why I'm here, in an online critique site, cuz it was my only feasible option. And, yeah, that reply is not helpful in the slightest, HD, sorry about that. I've read of some authors who had great critique groups that made a massive difference to their careers. Amy Tan comes to mind, with her first novel The Joy Luck Club. If you try the critique group, best of luck with it. Though, why does it require you to pay? Hahaha. That sucks. I live in an artisic city, so there are a few large and small groups. Like, where are the amazing groups that have fun AND take it seriously? So this group is large. They have discounts on workshops with authors, meetings, an annual conference, postings of your writing and updates probably on their forums, a free (should be anyway) publiccx ation submission to their own, networking and volunteer opportunities... thats the gist of it. |
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Nov 4, 2020 12:43:12 GMT -6
Yeah, that may be a great way to network in person: volunteer to help at a conference. Surely some of the other volunteers are either part of a group or would be interested in joining if you start one. If there's a gap in what's provided, there's a niche someone needs to fill, and that someone might just be you. Maaaaaybe?
|
|
|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Nov 5, 2020 15:15:19 GMT -6
Yeah, that may be a great way to network in person: volunteer to help at a conference. Surely some of the other volunteers are either part of a group or would be interested in joining if you start one. If there's a gap in what's provided, there's a niche someone needs to fill, and that someone might just be you. Maaaaaybe? They say members are the only ones to start groups, and you have to pay. Maybe volunteering is a good idea...never know where it leads. |
|
|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Nov 27, 2020 18:49:33 GMT -6
On second thought, there must be more than one writer in Oregon among all of us I can start a group with.... Raveneye, are we allowed to group up?
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Nov 28, 2020 9:49:07 GMT -6
On second thought, there must be more than one writer in Oregon among all of us I can start a group with.... Raveneye, are we allowed to group up?
Are you asking for permission to use the LegendFire name for the group? If that's the case, go for it, I say, as long as the forum remains a home base for it and the crit standards remain high.
I really hope you can find someone. Unfortunately, I live about a thousand miles away or I'd be there. But then, there is always voice chat on Discord, which makes the miles vanish among associates. So these days there are ways around long-distance issues, once a group's foundational members are in place to run the thing. But face-to-face just makes a difference sometimes, and definitely facilitates exchanging hard copy of manuscripts.  So yeah... |
|
|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Nov 28, 2020 13:29:28 GMT -6
On second thought, there must be more than one writer in Oregon among all of us I can start a group with.... Raveneye, are we allowed to group up?
Are you asking for permission to use the LegendFire name for the group? If that's the case, go for it, I say, as long as the forum remains a home base for it and the crit standards remain high.
I really hope you can find someone. Unfortunately, I live about a thousand miles away or I'd be there. But then, there is always voice chat on Discord, which makes the miles vanish among associates. So these days there are ways around long-distance issues, once a group's foundational members are in place to run the thing. But face-to-face just makes a difference sometimes, and definitely facilitates exchanging hard copy of manuscripts.  So yeah...Huzzah! I know for sure one member lives here. Farida? Someone from the old forums. I considered the last few days taking an old group on Scribophile over that is called Pacific Northwest Writers. It is inactive. I remember I am more familiar with this community. Hmm I was not thinking of that. Legendfire Oregon? Portland? Don't know. Yes, the forum will be home base.
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Nov 29, 2020 13:26:32 GMT -6
You're located really close to Clarion West too! Jealous. I want to attend the Clarion workshop so badly. It's expensive though. Anyway... I think Farida is in London? Hmm, maybe we need a thread devoted to our current place of residence. Might help with things like this. |
|
|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Dec 2, 2020 0:37:04 GMT -6
You're located really close to Clarion West too! Jealous. I want to attend the Clarion workshop so badly. It's expensive though. Anyway... I think Farida is in London? Hmm, maybe we need a thread devoted to our current place of residence. Might help with things like this. Oh. If I want to do this, Ill just open a thread. And that reminds me I should contribute a critique more than once in a while. I read the book on how the Clarion Writers Workshop began last year. Sounds more tough than fun. I can see how much it could help.
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Dec 2, 2020 9:10:11 GMT -6
You're located really close to Clarion West too! Jealous. I want to attend the Clarion workshop so badly. It's expensive though. Anyway... I think Farida is in London? Hmm, maybe we need a thread devoted to our current place of residence. Might help with things like this. Oh. If I want to do this, Ill just open a thread. And that reminds me I should contribute a critique more than once in a while. I read the book on how the Clarion Writers Workshop began last year. Sounds more tough than fun. I can see how much it could help.
Heh, yeah, I'm betting Clarion is not exactly fun. Rigorous. I bet it's the brain equivalent of army boot camp. While making priceless contacts. Oh for a little extra cash... |
|
|
|
Post by HDSimplicityy on Jan 10, 2021 15:59:14 GMT -6
Raveneye, Willamete Writers volunteers have to become members after all. $57 a year for members 18 and older. Im torn... it sounds great, but I dont know...ya know?
|
|
|
|
Post by RAVENEYE on Jan 11, 2021 11:07:51 GMT -6
Raveneye, Willamete Writers volunteers have to become members after all. $57 a year for members 18 and older. Im torn... it sounds great, but I dont know...ya know? Aw, man! That stinks! What happened to writers just getting together to discuss writing? For frick sake. Why do things have to be money-based? Literature and the art of writing shouldn't be money-based!!! Ugh. Exclusive clubs and subscriptions to prove one is serious is just sad. It's why I haven't joined my own state's writing organization. Pay your dues, get a newsletter. Woopee. "Then pay some more to go to our conference. You get a discount if you pay your dues the rest of the year." Ugh. I'm all for conferences and networking, but gimme a break. I just want a few writer friends to sit around a coffee table exchanging banter on what makes good storytelling. Why is this hard? The idea of putting an ad in the local paper is becoming more and more tempting: "Wanted: Local writer seeks other local writers who are sick of paying for the privilege of discussing literature and storytelling and just want to sip tea while exchanging banter on what makes good writing. Free manuscript exchange included." |
|
You add them to your profile as you do them around the forum.
