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@caseybold

I’ve been around in the online writing community for over three years now, and I still haven’t really figured it out myself 😛

I think it’s sort of like meeting a good friend for the first time. You just bump into each other, start talking, then suddenly you’re discussing something you’re both passionate about or (for the case of writers) offering to critique each other’s work and brainstorm together. Eventually you and this other writer find another writer who you want to be in the group, then invite them in, and so on. Then, with a bit of time and some friendship, you have said Inklings.

The above definitely isn’t always the case, as I think the best way to start a critique group is to just ask around! Post something in the forum about starting a critique group of writers who write a certain genre, who like worldbuilding, etc. I think you’ll find some people who will respond and be willing to try out a critique group!

As for what I personally would want to get out of a critique group, I would want a group that isn’t too time-consuming, but is also active and has some level of structure and consistency. I think it would be good to not have it be dedicated strictly to critiquing, but also for help brainstorming ideas. (for those writers who are working on first drafts.) I think the most important aspect of the group would be a sense of friendship between the writers in it, where everybody knows each other fairly well. If that part was there and consistently fostered, I’d think the previous things I mentioned would come a bit more easily. 🙂

Does that help?