The Writer Side

There is an interesting column on Moby Lives this week saying that writers shouldn't go to MFA fiction programs. A pretty well-written piece, but the conclusions don't necessarily apply to all MFA programs. The thing is, writers' workshops and critique groups have to be oriented to become constructive for the parties involved, rather than having writers compete and tear each other down. Sometimes critique groups need a little guidance. I've been in one for going on ten years now, and it's evolved into something (usually) helpful.