One problem I’ve found with online crit groups is that they’re by and large American-dominated. I find this a problem with my work because I do tend to use a lot of British idioms etc, and often they have no idea what I’m talking about!

Both of the ones I’m in are women-only groups, I’m afraid. There are *lots* of Yahoo! writing groups, but they’re not all active so you need to pick and choose quite carefully if you go down that route.

Does your local library have a list of local groups? Ours does a monthly newsletter listing all the local hobby and ‘interest’ groups in the area.

I’d be interested in finding out some more of the online crit groups that you use – one of the things I miss since leaving uni is not having the writing group around me to go to and try out work on. You would think that around Oxford there would be an abundance to try out and join, but it’s finding out about them that seems to be so incredibly hard!!

Although I have to say that through some of the people I have met on lj I do seem to have got a kind of informal writers’ group…

I agree about being careful ‘who you show it to’ – showing immediate family or close friends usually isn’t a good idea – they don’t want to hurt your feelings – which is why I like on-line crit groups – I don’t know the people involved in ‘real life’ so have no relationship with them beyond a writing one.

You were lucky to have an inspiring teacher. All mine were wretched :-/

I do think one is born with some form of talent or not, but it’s what you do with it. You also need the ambition you use that talent.

Thoroughly agree with you here. And your political idea(l)s are very similar to my own…

1. I think it’s fair to say that you are quite a religious person. How would you descibe the importance of your faith in your life to someone who is not religious?

2. You enjoy role playing games alot. Why is this? Does it help you with your own original writing?

3. Which writers (or other creative people) have most inspired you?

4. You like to travel. Where in the world would you most like to visit? And would you ever consider living there?

5. Do you think one is born with talent or can it be created through hard work and practice?

1. You change where you keep your journals, and of the *username* that you go under quite often. Why is that? Which has been your favourite, and why?

2. Which family member are you closest too – and why? And how has the closeness affected you?

3. Which writers (or other creative people) have most inspired you?

4. When you get published, who (or what) will that first dedication be to? And secondly what will you spend your first royalties payment on?

5. Where in the world would you most like to visit, and why?

🙂
It will give me something else to write about when the sage is complete. Hehehe.