Writing circle

A writing circle is a group of like-minded writers needing support for their work, either through writing peer critiques, workshops or classes, or just encouragement. There are many different types of writing circles or writing groups based on location, style of writing, or format. Normally, the goal of a writing circle is to improve one's own craft by listening to the works and suggestions of others in the group. It also builds a sense of community, and allows new writers to become accustomed to sharing their work. Writing circles can be helpful inside and outside of the classroom.

What a Writing Circle Does

A writing circle brings writers from different walks of life together, in one place to discuss their work in a workshop style setting. Writers will be able to give feedback, and hear suggestions from fellow writers. It can build community in a classroom, and help students gain public speaking cleans. This workshop method could be used for any genre of writing (creative prose, poetry, etc.).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xpr_--Tddw

How Writing Circles Help the Writer

• Builds a sense of community
• Helps writers become more confident in their own work
• Teaches writers how give and receive constructive criticism
• Can learn from one another's mistakes and successes
• Writers can learn to appreciate different opinions and views
• Could be used a form of group therapy (Writing for healing)

Online

• Inked Voices
• Scribophile
• Reviewfuse
• WordSmitten Writing Workshop
• Story Dam Online Writing Community
• http://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-writing-circle.htm

Australia

• Common Cold Poetry Collective
• The Writing Lab

Canada

• Alberta Foundation for the Arts
• Alberta Romance Writers' Association
• Atlantic Publishers' Marketing Association.
• Calgary Association of the Romance Writers of America.
• Canadian Authors Association.
• Federation of English Language Writers of Quebec
• Literary Translators' Association of Canada/ Association des traducteurs et traductrices litteraires du Canada
• Manitoba Arts Council
• Manitoba Writers' Guild
• Ottawa Independent Writers
• Outwrites (Toronto)
• PEI Writers' Guild
• Professional Writers Association of Canada
• Territorial Writers Association and Conference
• Union des Ecrivain(e)s Québécois(e)s
• Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Writers' Community of Durham Region (WCDR)
• Writers' Federation of New Brunswick

Ireland

• Creative Writers Workshop
• Rathmines Writer's Workshop

United Kingdom

• Swansea Writers' Group
• Malvern Writers' Circle
• Norwich Writers' Circle
• Creative Writing Society: A society for creative writing at the University of Surrey in England
• Oxford University Poetry Society.
• Mitzi Szereto's workshop for Erotic fiction is held in various locations in the UK throughout the year.
• Tindal Street Fiction Group

United States

• Clarion Workshop
• Milford Writer's Workshop
• The Turkey City Writer's Workshop
• The Wordos Writer's Workshop
• Algonkian Writers Conference
• Rio Hondo Writer's Workshop
• Sycamore Hill Writer's Workshop
• Iowa Writers' Workshop
• The Write Group (Montclair)
• Minneapolis Writers Workshop