The Rules of the Game:

When we enter the workshop, we agree to certain conditions. The most important is that we always give as much as we get. If we expect our work to receive the group’s attention, we must be certain to give an equal share of our time to the work of others. Another important condition is that we always maintain a courteous tone. Our conversations about the stories up for workshop will be casual, but invested. We will make an effort not to silence others and not to be silent ourselves. Learning to frame commentary that extends beyond mere matters of taste (as in liking one character or another, or being fond of a particular turn of phrase) in a way that reaches the writer as supportive criticism, rather than negative criticism, will always be a challenge. The struggle to do so will make a better writer and a better reader out of you. Of that much, I can promise you. Let’s agree now to these conditions. If we don’t, there will be trouble.