If you write fiction, you may know all too well the feeling you get once you finish a chapter, a story, or a first draft.
There’s
a compulsion to share, and to hear what others think of this thing
you’ve created from your own genius brain. But, it can be a lot to ask
of your friends and family, and even the most willing of readers might
not have the time to get a critique back to you as quickly as they (or you) would like.
Luckily,
there’s a whole host of online resources for writers to share work, and
to pay it forward by critiquing the work of others. Some critique
communities are even free to join and participate.
However, with the resources below, it’s expected that you give feedback just as often as you seek it. Be prepared to make a time commitment!
1. Critters
This
resource has been around for 20 years, which is notable, considering
the Internet isn’t much older. Within a week of submitting their science
fiction, fantasy, or horror pieces of maximum 20,000, writers receive
15-20 critiques.
The
site encourages new writers to learn not only from the feedback they
get, but to learn from the process of giving critiques, as well.
“The
ultimate goal of Critters is to help improve your craft, not only by
having your work dissected by other members, but also by learning to
dissect your own work (by, of course, dissecting others),” reads the
site. “The value of the latter is often overlooked by beginners.”
Critters is entirely donation-funded.
2. Ladies Who Critique
Ladies Who Critique will help you find a writing partner, free of charge.
All
levels are encouraged to join, and the group isn’t limited to women.
Search for a partner by genre or experience level and send a message if
you find someone who sounds great. “Think of it like a dating website,
but ‘The One’ is your perfect critique partner,” suggests the site.
The group’s blog is not up to date, but its archives contain author interviews, querying advice, and more.
3. You Write On
This site may look a little old-school, but it’s full of great resources.
Here,
members can upload their short stories or novel excerpts, and another
user is randomly assigned to read it. Once your piece has five reviews
from users, it enters the site’s chart system.
The
site states that collective feedback provides writers with a diverse
overview of what’s working — and maybe not working — in their pieces.
4. Inked Voices
This Brooklyn-based site is big on facilitating the formation of writing groups.
Through
Inked Voices, users can search through groups looking for new members
during a free two-week trial. If you find one you’re interested in, you
can reach out to that group’s leader to join. After you’re linked up
with a partner or group, users who pay a membership fee can privately
share work and offer critiques.
Inked Voices also offers many online resources, a forum for users to ask questions, and audio lectures on writing.
While
no free version is available, those who choose Inked In can either pay
$10 per month or a flat fee of $75 for one year of membership.
5. Critique It
If
you already have folks in your network who are willing to read and
critique your work, Critique It might help you share it with them. This
tool, like Google Docs, lets readers leave comments and allows multiple users to collaborate on the same item.
But unlike Google Docs, it also allows audio and video feedback as well as multiple file formats. “Drag
and drop images, video, text and audio files into Critique It and use
the same tools to provide and review feedback — regardless of type,” the
site boasts.
It
isn’t a sharing site in the same sense that most of these others are,
but it’s a tool that could be used to facilitate sharing with writers
you meet online. It appears to be popular with academics, too.
6. Scribophile
This
might be the site most writers have at least heard of: Not only does
Scribophile offer writers the chance to get detailed feedback on their
work, but it also offers a bunch of free resources like free tutorials
and a members-only forum.
Its writing academy section tells new writers how to format a manuscript, and sheds light on commonly-made screenplay mistakes.
A
free account allows writers to post up to two works of up to 3,000
words at a time, while a paid version has no such limit ($65 per year,
or $9 per month).
7. Critique Circle
Critique Circle has been helping writers since 2003.
Depending
on how active the site is, you may have to wait a week or two for your
work to be posted — only a certain number of stories are shared each
week. Once a piece is listed, members can read it and send the author
feedback during a window of one week.
Writers
on the site earn credits for submitting critiques, and credits in turn
help them get their own work listed. Stories of any genre, up to 5,000
words, are welcome. Poetry may not be submitted but may be posted for
feedback in Critique Circle’s forums.
There are two levels of membership:
The premium level costs $10 per month and offers users access to their
own story queue and forum, full access to online tools, and more.
Signing up for one or two years can bring your membership cost down to
about $3 per month.
A
premium gold membership available for one or two years, breaks down to
about $7 per month. These users receive all premium benefits but also
enjoy an ad-free version of the site, access to additional readers, and
an unlimited messages inbox.
8. Absolute Write
Here’s
a bonus: Absolute Write is a forum for writers. Although it doesn’t
offer a formal critique program, you’re likely to meet some interesting
writers who are willing to partner with you. The forum is very active,
so if you post there, you’re likely to get several responses quickly.
No
matter where you choose to share your work, it’s always best to keep in
mind the golden rule of the internet (and, you know, of life): Treat
others the way you’d have them treat you.
Not
everything you read is going to be 100 percent up your alley, or to the
level of craftsmanship you prefer. However, it’s crucial to keep your
criticism constructive, not destructive. source, thewritelife.org
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