Community Guidelines
The Writer’s Rock is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and disability.
We aim to make equal space for all writers regardless of their writing experience, including those who’ve never shared their writing before. As a member of our community, here are a few ways you can help us maintain that space:
Read generously. Every submission has its strengths and weaknesses but it’s not our job as readers to determine worth. We’re here to help the writer see their work from a new perspective. In order to respect the writer’s work, try to frame all feedback—praise and criticism alike—as your own, and not as instruction or fact.
Make your praise specific. Sometimes the best work a writer does is accidental. It might take you telling them what they’re doing right for them to see it for themselves.
Make your criticism productive. It isn’t enough to tell a writer what you think isn’t working. Try to tell them why—both so they can understand your perspective and have everything they need to agree or disagree with you.
Know your audience. You’re invited to write anything you want. However, before you share (either by reading or submitting) consider if your writing is going to make others feel like this isn’t an equally safe space for them and their own writing. If so, please share something else.
Share the space. When reading your work aloud or contributing to class discussion, please be conscious of the time and other writers who may also want to share or speak.
Keep it in class. Our time together is meant for taking risks and trying new things. This is only possible when we can trust each other with our work. Do not share another writer’s work with anyone outside of class without the writer’s explicit permission.
If you have any questions about these guidelines, or if there’s anything else you’d like to ask or discuss, please email us. We look forward to writing with you soon!
