Forum / The secret groups of criticism and cruelty

• 
  Jane Flett

  Sep 20, 02:38pm

  Where are they and can I come and play?

  I'd love to join a workshop where there is feedback of the constructive and cutting varieties.

  Autumn is in the Berlin air and I feel like sharp teeth.

  x

• 
  James Claffey

  Sep 20, 02:46pm

  good question!

• 
  Darryl Price

  Sep 20, 02:57pm

  They are everywhere! But closest to you when you look in the pool.

• 
  Darryl Price

  Sep 20, 04:10pm

  Why not start one where only biting is allowed?

  There's Always Someone

  for Jane Flett

  who can't stand how beautiful

  you are. I

  mean the wind can muck

  with as many leaves

  as it wants to but

  still has to be just

  the wind. It can parade

  down your street, shouting,

  "Look at me! I

  have a body too,

  made of leaves and blowing

  bags!" We might wave,

  smile, but secretly

  we're watching through it.

• 
  Darryl Price

  Sep 20, 04:53pm

  And just in case you're already sharpening your knives, I love Jane. She is one of the best writers,in my opinion, in the world today. Original,creative,powerful, as I've stated before on Fictionaut.Her work is important and essential to me. So there.

• 
  James Lloyd Davis

  Sep 20, 06:11pm

  Darryl. Don't hold back. Say what you really mean.

• 
  Penny Goring

  Sep 21, 08:06am

  Love that windy poem, Darryl. And, yeah, Jane Flett writes cool goods. x

• 
  Jane Flett

  Sep 21, 01:16pm

  Yeow, this admiration is all so very reciprocated.

  Perhaps I will make my own bear pit and invite you all to come join me.

  x

• 
  David Ackley

  Sep 21, 02:43pm

  Jane,

  From what I can tell, there are no presently active and open groups that will provide the kind of frank, constructive feedback you're looking for. If you're interested maybe we should start another one.

• 
  Andrew Stancek

  Sep 21, 04:52pm

  Frank, constructive feedback? Sign me up.

• 
  Niya C. Sisk

  Sep 21, 04:57pm

  Love this thread. Apparently I'm the scariest one in my writing group that everyone wants to be cut by. I'd love to have those sharp truths come my way every so often. I appreciate Jane's need!

• 
  Gloria Garfunkel

  Sep 21, 07:22pm

  I, too, yearn for more criticism, but I'd have to hear it after a complement in order not to stop writing altogether. There could be strict ground rules about that, like, if someone hated a piece completely they should completely abstain from commenting. There has to be something of value to give the writer hope the piece can be salvaged. It's a touchy subject, but a very cool and exciting one for a group.

• 
  Sally Houtman

  Sep 22, 10:51pm

  Thank you for calling the Criticism and Cruelty Hotline.

  For personal insults, Press 1

  For comparisons to barnyard animals, press 2

  For a detailed summation of what's wrong with your latest story, Press 3

  For a scathing critique of your inadequate writing capabilities, Press 4

  To hear about yo mama, Press 5

  Control freaks, please stay on the line. No one will be with you shortly.

• 
  Steve Finan

  Sep 22, 10:56pm

  It would be good to, sometimes, be told "It is crap, because . . . "
  Fictionauters are a bit too nice, sometimes.
  I tend to not comment if I reckon something isn't very good.
  I think, from now on, I'll say, "It was challenging".

• 
  David Ackley

  Sep 23, 12:01am

  Since there seems to be interest in a group where you can submit works in hopes of getting feedback that will help improve them, I'm going to start one. I'll post here and in a separate announcement with the name of the group and general guidelines including how to join. As with other such groups in the past,the group will be private meaning that only group members will be able to access the works posted.

• 
  David Ackley

  Sep 23, 12:30am

  So the group is up, and if you're interested in joining message me and you'll get an invititation.

• 
  Steve Finan

  Sep 26, 11:49pm

  The Bear Pit group is an excellent idea. I'm glad I joined.
  But then, I've just submitted a story, so perhaps I won't be grinning so much once it has been broadsided by all the Bears!

• 
  Ramon Collins

  Sep 28, 08:27pm

  I think Review Comment 101 is correct: "What hits, what misses."

• 
  James Claffey

  Sep 28, 09:07pm

  i need to get on there and post comments. aaaaghhh...

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