I know what you mean Rosalind. I too am far too amateur and unqualified to offer any constructive criticism, I would never even think of some of the advice people helpfully offer each other. Like you, I only know if I personally like it, if it personally moves me. But maybe we both SHOULD say so, because otherwise the writer will not know anything at all. So like you I will try and post to say so, and hope others return the compliment with me.
Shadowgirl

Rosalind and Shads,
Before I joined this site I'd have to find readers of my work where I could, amongst friends and daughters and other people. The good thing about this site is that everyone here is writing,- loves writing - so it makes it even more valuable to have comments on work that's put up.
I know that criting people's stuff that isn't to your taste, or you actually dislike, is hard, but the simple business of saying to someone 'I didn't understand this bit' will make the writer go back and look at it again. I've often been told that and discovered how very right that person was. Or 'I found a typo' or just how a particular piece made you feel is good as well. Nobody on this site should be unchallengable,(in the nicest possible way of course). Stopping lecture now.
Becca.

You are so right Becca, and although friends and family telling you that your work is great is lovely to hear, it really isn't very helpful. I know I find it very difficult to spot my own typos too (I know my words so well, I hardly have to re-read them) so I know I appreciate it when anyone points them out to me also.
Shadowgirl

On this point, I am curious to know whether people in groups would like the option of having set 'tasks' or ideas/themes/limits etc. I did begin having these in my groups (Fiction and Theatre) but to be honest, so far, none of you exactly seem to have problems writing...However, sometimes that's exactly why we (writers) need or want limits. I know I would never write if it wasn't for boundaries of some sort, whether it's a commission for a set length, a theme, a collaboration which means particular clear, or even strict, rules... They would always be voluntary anyway, and add to the groups' nature rather than define them.

We are having a big brainstorm at the moment about the role of the groups and how to make them as exciting and useful and liberating as possible (wow! what a tall order) so all these ideas expressed here are fantastically useful and go into the mix that is brewing..

I am not sure if I am asking the impossible here Anna (I may well be) but something which would benefit me, would be some feedback on an more ongoing basis from perhaps a small group of people. I mean for those like me writing novels, and perhaps adapting them and changing them as we go along, some real honest feedback on whether the changes work or not would be helpful. I know this would mean someone who had read that part before prepared to comment again (having of course read the new version too). I have refrained from posting slightly altered pieces, fearing it would not be fair to post a similar part again. Maybe I am asking for some sort of before and after editing section - not sure. But you said you were looking for ideas and this was the first thing which came to mind.
Also (oh thought of another, I'm on a role now) maybe some section for asking gramatical type questions too - sometimes I know what I want to do, but am not sure if it correct. I know there is a brilliant agent/publisher section on here (yes thought of another) but some feedback on writer's personal experiences of particular agencies would be helpful too. Oh I better go to bed before I think of something else.
Shadowgirl

Anna, I am very tempted by the idea of themes and set pieces (though whether I would find myself out of time for set work I don't know). I can only say that your mention of the Myslexia brief for ice/white set a thought going and there is a whole short story now. So personally I would enjoy and profit from such tasks. Also. like Shadowgirl and Becca I would like ongoing criticism of current work. Cheers, Hilary

The idea of setting tasks could be a good one. Personally I think it would be an idea if a separate board was set up for it - for one thing it maybe isn't so much part of the writer's core of what they do, they might want to play a little and leave the specialist groups for that, and secondly it would be great to see the mix come together of people using the same basic idea to produce work in totally different forms.

I would think it would probably help people pull up loads of ideas for their 'usual' writing, which could then be posted on the spcific boards for possibly more serious critiquing. It could be fun. You could also specify for a task every now and then that, for example, it should be in a form that you don't usually write, to help people try out different things, poetry or a play, for example. Just a thought.

I think a separate optional board for set tasks would be a good idea. When a group are working on the same theme the sheer difference in style and interpretation would be imensely instructive for a writer and quite possibly, unwittingly help to create a much bigger idea.

Jubbly

Anna, the Groups did originally have a seperate TASK area within them. And I remember that you initially set the odd task. I thought that was quite a good idea. So, was a bit dissappointed when it was first removed.

To be honest, I personally probably wouldn't have the time to do that many tasks. However, now that people seem to be asking for this, why not bring it back?

I think it would be a good idea if the tasks could be set by the group leaders, but also allow for members to suggest group tasks.

But, may be give that section a different name other than task. Having said that, can't think of a good suggestion.

thanks everyone! will have a think about all your ideas and respond.