Spiritus said:
I agree – this is why an idea of Dopers having such a group is a good one, as Dopers are pretty much a cut above everybody else (well, most Dopers are).
For example, there is a site called Themestream where you “self-publish” your articles/stories/poems/whatever. You are paid according to the number of people who read your stuff (2 cents per read, though it used to be more). There are a number of people who say they write there not for the money (which can be rather slim) but for the comments and feedback. The problem is that the comments and feedback are often, IMO, worthless. I’ve seen articles that have horrible grammar and spelling rated at four stars. I’ve seen articles making claims that, if they were around here, would be torn apart, yet they are getting comments on how great they are.
Still, it’s an interesting place and an interesting idea. I’ve posted quite a few of my articles there (mostly reprints of stuff that went into the newspaper). When I leave comments, I make sure to leave HELPFUL comments, not just comments saying, “Oh, very nice.” It’s funny, 'cus some of the same folks who say they want constructive comments and help end up getting mad when you say they need to improve their grammar and whatnot.
Anyway, I didn’t mean this whole post to be a slam at Themestream or anything. Indeed, there are quite a few good writers there and a lot of good stuff. But, as a “writing group” for comments and the like, I think it goes along with what Spiritus said. If you write for someplace like this (or like The Vines, or Epinions, or other similar web-self-publishing places), do it for the money or to get your ideas out there or note in your articles that you’re looking for intelligent feedback (you can also join e-mail groups at egroups and post there to note that you want real feedback).
But I hope that doesn’t dissuade anybody from joining.