by Tiffany Tripp

Created on: May 03, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

There are numerous articles written on the benefits of writing workshops. Included in each of them are a handful of recurring benefits. What hasn't been mentioned in any of them, however, are the downfalls of workshops.

Downfalls?

Yes! Enough downfalls that they may outweigh the benefits.

Let's look at the benefits.

1. People will read your work.
This is important because as a writer, you not on desperately crave an audience, it is a necessity.

2. People will take the idea of being a writer seriously.
This, too, is important. As writers, we are a lonesome bunch. We work alone, we don't get paid well (if at all), and most people roll their eyes when you tell them, "I'm a writer".

3. You will get critique and feedback.
This is probably the most beneficial aspect of a workshop. People will read your writing with an eye for what works and what doesn't.

Unfortunately, the benefits of workshops are also the negatives.

1. People will read your work.
Other members of workshops will read your work because they want to you to read theirs. The alterior motive (and there is always a motive when reading anything) isn't pleasure or joy or the love of reading. It is, "If I read his/her writing, they will read mine".

2. People will take the idea of being a writer seriously.
Like any type of artist, writers are a sensitive bunch. Yes, we all want to be taken seriously at what we do. However, is it necessary to excuse every action or reaction with the phrase, "But, I'm a writer"?

3. You will get critique and feedback.
While this is the biggest benefit, it is also the biggest downfall. Most people in workshops have no experience in critiquing. Rather than getting an insightful critique, you will most likely wind up with something that reads, "The part in the middle doesn't make sense. I don't know why, but it just doesn't work for me. Maybe it's just me. Maybe with revision, it could be better."

The problem with a "critique" like this is it's useless. Something better? How about, "The dialogue in the middle of page two seems unrealistic because most five year olds wouldn't say the word 'ambiguous'". That gives a writer a springboard. If the character in question would say something like that at that age, then enough information would need to be given to make that believable.

Unfortunately, most of the critiquing done in a workshop setting is harmful rather than helpful because of the lack of experience in critiquing.

Workshops CAN be positive. Everyone who writes should experience it. While looking for a workshop though, remember that a writer cannot please everyone every time. Nor should you try.

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