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Welcome to the GCWA members’ Story Forge Critique Group

Story Forge is the Gold Coast Writers' Association critique group for writers, creators and storytellers of all kinds.

Whether you're writing a novel, screenplay, comic, manga, graphic novel, game narrative, podcast fiction or simply building worlds and characters, Story Forge offers a supportive space to develop your craft alongside fellow creators.

Through constructive feedback, guided discussion and collaborative problem-solving, members explore story structure, character motivation, pacing, dialogue, worldbuilding and reader engagement.

Bring your pages, your ideas, your questions and your plot holes. Together we'll help shape stronger stories, sharper scenes and more compelling characters.

Novelists • Screenwriters • Comic & Manga Creators • Game Writers • Worldbuilders • Storytellers

Create. Critique. Collaborate.

The Story Forge Approach

Think less critique circle and more writers' room.

Story Forge combines traditional critique with collaborative story development. After receiving feedback, writers are invited to explore ideas, ask questions and brainstorm possibilities with the group.

Rather than focusing only on what is working or not working, Story Forge encourages members to discuss reader experience, story goals and creative intention.

THE GROUP IDENTIFIES PROBLEMS. THE AUTHOR CHOOSES SOLUTIONS.

Bring your pages, your ideas, your questions and your plot holes.

We'll help you forge what comes next.

The Gold Coast Writers Association Critique group aims to help its members improve the readability of their work through learning to give and receive feedback in a friendly, positive space. Giving and receiving feedback on our work can be scary, so we have a strict ‘Constructive Feedback Only’ rule where all feedback is given in the spirit of helping the writer improve.

Each writer will bring the following:

An open and caring attitude. All feedback should be constructive and informed. This goes both ways.
Printed copy/s of one piece of written work for critique, up to 1000 words, printed on one side and stapled. (Bringing two copies of the same piece allows larger groups to get through more.) When formatting for critique, use 3cm margins, double spacing, an easily readable font, indent/new line for each line of dialogue and the working title and genre in the header. Ensure you have edited and proofread the piece to the best of your ability.
A cover page stapled to the front with the following information.
Genre of the work
Any necessary warnings to readers (e.g. trigger or content warnings if the piece contains violence or graphic sex scenes.)
Format of finished piece (e.g. is it a short story or excerpt from a larger piece of work, i.e. longer story, novella, novel.)
Three or four points you would like the critique group to focus on when critiquing your piece. i.e. Character development/arc, dialogue, story arc, setting and world-building, genre-specific beats, conflict. Be as specific as you like or leave it up to the reader.

How the group works – We read each piece and provide written feedback according to the guidelines on the cover page. If there is no cover page or no specific requests, please critique the general structure, grammar, dialogue, and readability of the piece. Please refrain from making subjective comments like ‘I don’t enjoy this genre,’ or ‘I don’t like this character.’ Write comments directly onto the pages, using the back of the paper if necessary. Provide as much written feedback as you can. You can also provide a summary stating: What did you love and what could be improved?

The final 30 minutes will be an opportunity for each person to give and receive verbal feedback to/from each person in the group. We may break into two groups depending on numbers. When receiving feedback don’t defend your work, simply listen to what is being said. You don’t have to accept any or all of it.

In the words of Brené Brown, feedback is not just how we grow - it's how we connect.

Happy Writing!

Details: Critique groups are held monthly, all year, usually the third of fourth week of each month. Check the website and socials for dates. To attend, please join the Gold Coast Writers Association https://www.goldcoastwriters.org/membership

Bring:
- Your work to be critiqued (refer above details)
- Pens/pencils to write your critiques
- Drinks or food to enjoy or share (hot water is available to make drinks)

Please join the Gold Coast Writers' Association to attend:
Click here for more information on GCWA membership.

If you have any questions, please email: critique@goldcoastwriters.org

Keep an eye on the Gold Coast Writers’ Association Facebook page for more information.

Contact the host of Story Forge - GCWA (Members Only) Critique Group TUESDAY 6:00 PM

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