Speaking of writing groups and critiquing, is Congi from here still up and running?
Also, Kelley Armstrong's forum has an active online writing group. You have to sign up and get permission to join, but I think that's standard practice.
When I think my writing sucks, I go back to my background stuff and research. It's usually because I haven't taken the time to get to know my characters, theme,
plot, climatic ending, etc. The problem I'm confronted with is I want to write fast to get it down, I want to rush it before the creative energies go away. But I'm finding out that for me, writing is patient, practical application of craft on those creativity spurts I have. I call it the S & M of writing.
Drives me crazy but it works.
