Another question about writers groups

[Indus]

I was reading through another thread about writers groups where someone mentioned on-line groups. Since we've uprooted to Germany I've been thinking about joining one but I wondered if other people could tell me about their experiences with them. How can I go about finding them? How do they work as far as critiquing etc. Do you find it harder/easier to share your work with people you might not know very well?
I would prefer meeting with a group face-to-face, but I'm afraid it's not an option here, so I'm just trying to get an idea of what I might expect.
Thanks :)

[unicornjam]

Try LiveJournal. There are tons of critique groups there. Also, this forum has Show Your Work. :)

[Leeann Burke]

Indus,

You might want to check out Yahoo Groups. They have online groups for everything. I'm sure there is one for what you are looking for.

[PeeDee]

A good one is fun and useful and just an enjoyable way to spend some time.

A bad one is sort of like being in a bad peer group.

Thus sayeth me, the sayer of things.

I saw a nice-looking one on Yahoo, just the other day. I wish I'd saved the link. I wonder if I can find it again. *potters off*

[Shweta]

I'd say that a good writer's group is not too comfortable -- they should challenge you.

But challenging is not the same as ripping to shreds. Everything should be aimed at making your stories the best stories they are trying to be. Not turning them into another writer's favourite stories, not patting your head and saying "very nice", not telling you everything's wrong and you suck.

You get out of a meeting of a good writer's group with new ideas sizzling forhow to make your stories better. And they don't settle for less than your best :)



Oh and, :hi:PeeDee! Long time no see!

[Indus]

Thanks for the suggestions! I found a couple on Yahoo Groups but they all are really large groups. I want to try to find a smaller site that might have more 'noobies' like myself. Birds of a feather and all that. I plan on sticking around here, I just wanted to try to find a more intimate group to work with before I forge into the SYW forums here.

[Cathy C]

Do you want people who write in a particular genre, or more of an "all-around" group?

[Sunshine13]

Candy Havens does an online one through yahoo groups. Not sure how many are on there, but we're all pretty fresh I think. http://www.candacehavens.com/index.php/workshops/

[Indus]

Do you want people who write in a particular genre, or more of an "all-around" group?

I guess, though I'm not positive since I've never been in one, it might be better if I was in with the same genre. The novel I'm working on atm would probably best fit into fantasy/scifi. But as long as the genre doesn't matter to the group, I wouldn't mind.

[Indus]

Candy Havens does an online one through yahoo groups. Not sure how many are on there, but we're all pretty fresh I think. http://www.candacehavens.com/index.php/workshops/

Thanks! I just skimmed over the first page, but I definitely want to check it out.

[Shweta]

Thanks for the suggestions! I found a couple on Yahoo Groups but they all are really large groups. I want to try to find a smaller site that might have more 'noobies' like myself. Birds of a feather and all that. I plan on sticking around here, I just wanted to try to find a more intimate group to work with before I forge into the SYW forums here.

You may be going about it wrong-- it's probably better to try SYW first, get a wide range of comments and see what works for you, and learn what you need in a group before finding a small one :)

[Dave Veri]

I was the one with the thread on writers groups. Our group started from a meetup.com base and now operates through a google group set up. You said you preferred a F2F group. I found 10 writers groups in Munchen with a quick stab at a search. Try that: it worked for my group. There's nothing like F2F. Good luck.

http://www.meetup.com/search/?keywords=writers+group&radius=10&country=de&locationPickerRef=0&dbCo=us&dbOutsideUsLink=&dbZip=02138&zip=meetup3&submitButton=Search

[Indus]

Thanks Dave :) I'm searching through the cities now.