Writing Workshop

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What is the Writing Workshop?

The Writing Workshop is a true workshop that engages participation through constructive critiques. The Writing Workshop is not a writing showcase - it's a place to get feedback and constructive criticism on your writing and also to give it. Threads posted in our Writing Workshop are hidden from guests and search engines. You must paste the excerpt of your story or your poem to the thread. No external links allowed.

The Writing Workshop is not a place to publish your work on the web, nor is it a critiquing service. The purpose is to learn to give and receive constructive critique, to make you a better writer. You must learn the critiquing mindset in order to effectively receive, evaluate, and apply recommendations. Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, learning to give constructive critique will help you to more objectively edit your own work.

It is important to note that the Workshop is meant to critique writing. If you find opinions or statements to which you do not agree or which you do not hold within an item you are looking to critique, it is entirely inappropriate to engage other members in debate on that topic within the Workshop thread. If you find that you cannot critique the item without arguing your opinion on the ideas or statements to be found therein, move on to a different piece. We have a Debate Room specifically set aside for the debating of topics. The Workshop is strictly for the consideration of the quality of writing. Debate style posts within a Workshop thread will be deleted by the staff as non-sequitur and disruptive to the purpose of that area.

The Writing Workshop has strict requirements for participation. We believe that writing constructive reviews is an important part of not only participating in the workshop, but also of developing your writing skills. As such, we require a minimum of two constructive reviews for each piece of writing you post for feedback. We also require you participate in our community by making 20 posts and have been registered for 14 days before you make a thread.
#75
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Workshop Requirements

Writing Workshop requirements are threefold;
  • You must be registered for 14 days
  • You must make 20 posts forum-wide
  • You must post 2 constructive reviews for each piece of writing you post
We have good reasons for this policy. Requiring a waiting period of two weeks and twenty posts provides a period of time and interaction to foster familiarity with our community and understanding of our policies and how our Workshop functions. It reduces new members signing up to post their work and then disappearing.

Note: short "reviews" posted in the workshop that are designed to get around our workshop requirements will result in a warning. Multiple attempts may result in a ban.

We require two constrictive reviews for each piece of writing you share in the Writing Workshop because it ensures that every piece of writing in the workshop is likely to get at least some feedback, and because we believe that reviewing and critiquing writing can help your skills as a writing. We're so convinced of this we have a dedicated reviewing forum.
#76

Why can't I post in the workshop?

If you have done two qualifying critiques for the new item you wish to post (remember, it's 2 critiques for every new item, not just 2 and run with it) then it may be just an annoying glitch we have been experiencing and trying to pin down. If the case is the latter, PM a moderator and we can help you get your thread up and running.
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Reviewers Group

The Reviewers Group is for members who want to give special focus to the critiquing process in order to better their critical eye, and through this, improve their own writing. They are afforded a private subforum wherein they can work on the critiques they wish to give in the Workshop.

In the Reviewers Subforum critiques can be worked on individually or as a group effort, in a private digital environment that allows for the use of all the standard editing tools the forum platform provides. This gives greater latitude in the time one takes on a critique, allowing the members to work in steps, ask for help or feedback from the other Reviewers, and be able to come back to their projects at their convenience before finalizing and posting them in the OP's thread.

The members of the Reviewers Group commit to giving 1 - 2 constructive critiques each week in order to remain in the group and have access to the aforementioned features. We have an accounting system within the Reviewer Subforum to keep track of this. Critiques given by the Reviewers Group are intended to exemplify the standards of critique that we ask of all members, but the group is not meant as an exclusive club for a select few. It's meant to provide a group environment where members skilled at critique and members who are just starting to hone their critical eye can work together for the betterment of all.

Reviewers are easily spotted by their yellow ribbon. If you would like more information on joining the group, please message Wreybies.

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#128

I Meet the Requirements but Still Can't Post

Please go back and double check that you do, in fact, meet the writing workshop requirements.

If you are positive you do, please contact us. Please provide as many details as possible, including your username and the forum you're trying to post in.

Please also [USERGROUP=5]PM one of the moderators[/usergroup] so that they can help you get your thread up and running without further delay.
#78

Why Can't I Post in the Workshop?

If you can't post a new thread in the writing workshop, you've probably not met the workshop requirements.
#79

Who Can See My Workshop Posts?

Writing posting in our Writing Workshop and Query & Cover Letter Review forums are hidden from the broad public; guests and search engines cannot see them.

However, all registered members can. Anyone can register.

In short, it's partially hidden so it's more difficult to find, but it's still visible by anyone who signs up on our forums.
#77

Reviewing

Reviewing is a big part of participating in the Writing Workshop. We even have a dedicated reviewing forum. In addition to the other requirements, you must post a minimum of two constructive reviews for each piece of writing you post in the workshop.

Why Write Reviews?

There are several reasons you should write reviews. Writing reviews increases your constructive analytical skills when evaluating your own work, and can make you a better writer. It can help you build relationships in our community and increases the chance of people reviewing your writing. And, of course, it's a requirement to post in the workshop.

For a more detailed reasons to write reviews before posting your work, read this post.

What is a Constructive Critique?

A constructive review in the workshop isn't merely comment on the writing - it's commentary that gives the author a starting point to improve their writing. Remember, it's a writing workshop.

We encourage all members who wish to participate in the Writing Workshop to read the following thread: What is a Constrictive Critique?

What are Reviewers?

The reviewer usergroup used to be a group of members who were recognized for posting frequent and constructive reviews. This feature will come back in the future. Once it does, this will be updated.

REVIEWING FAQ

Here is a more extensive reviewing FAQ with common questions and issues new reviewers face.

Please note: published works should be reviewed on Amazon, Goodreads, or other commercial site. WritingForums is for works-in-progress; a venue for writers to help each other.
#97

Does the Workshop Harm My Chances of Being Published?

In short, yes, it can.

It won't necessarily stop you from being published, but it could. Anything online is technically published only.

There's an ongoing thread on this topic.

We hide our writing workshop from public view, but this is only a small precaution. We also encourage you to only post a chapter or excerpt of your story.
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