Writing Workshop
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What is the Writing Workshop?
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.
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Workshop Requirements
- 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
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 constructive 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.
Why can't I post in the workshop?
I Meet the Requirements but Still Can't Post
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.
Why Can't I Post in the Workshop?
Who Can See My Workshop Posts?
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.
Reviewing
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 Constructive Critique?
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 sites. WritingForums is for works-in-progress; a venue for writers to help each other.
Does the Workshop Harm My Chances of Being Published?
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.
