Critique Your Past Work Day – Writers Workshop at Lyft Coffee

## ✍️ Critique Your Past Work Day – Writers Workshop at Lyft Coffee

📍 Location:
Lyft Coffee
2060 Chicago Ave A-10, Riverside, CA 92507

### 🔍 What This Session Is About

This special edition of our Writers Workshop is dedicated to critiquing your past or private work. Whether it’s a piece written from one of our previous prompts or a personal project you’ve been crafting on your own, this is a supportive space to receive thoughtful feedback from fellow writers.
All genres and experience levels are welcome. The vibe is relaxed, collaborative, and growth-oriented.

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### 🛠 Workshop Format

1. Welcome & Check-In
   We’ll start with quick introductions and let everyone share what they’re bringing, including the type of feedback they’re hoping to receive.
2. Critique Roundtable
   Each participant will:

• Read a short excerpt aloud (or have someone read it for them)
• Provide story context using the 5-Line Story Method (see below)
• Receive constructive feedback from the group — focused on helping, not fixing

3. Bonus Reading (Time Permitting)
   Have something new or unfinished? We’ll open the floor at the end for optional quick reads and encouragement.

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### 📌 What to Bring

• A printed or digital excerpt (3–5 pages max)
• A one-sentence note on what feedback you’re seeking (e.g., pacing, clarity, dialogue)
• If it's from a past workshop prompt, let us know which one
• Your 5-Line Story Summary (see below)

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### ✒️ The 5-Line Story Method (For Context Before Feedback)

(optional to adopt, unless the aim is to encourage curiosity) Before reading, please share a quick overview using these 5-Line Story to help listeners understand your piece:

1. Situation – What’s the starting point?
2. Desire – What does the character want?
3. Conflict – What gets in the way?
4. Change – What changes or shifts during the scene?
5. Result – How does the scene end?

This helps everyone better grasp the stakes and intentions behind your excerpt, especially for novel segments or in-progress drafts.

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### 💻 Sharing Ahead of Time (Optional)

You can optionally post your work in advance using one of the following methods:

1. 📣 Meetup Event Discussion Thread
   Post your excerpt (or a Google Doc link) in the comments to allow early review.
2. 🧠 Join Our Discord
   Want deeper feedback or to keep the discussion going? Join our private Discord:
   👉 https://discord.gg/8y8k8665
   You can upload your excerpt and engage in written or voice chat critique before or after the session.

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### 📎 Group Guidelines

• Stick to the 3–5 page limit so we can fit everyone in
• Stay constructive: start with what worked, then offer suggestions, and end with encouragement
• Focus on story, clarity, and structure over grammar (unless asked)
• Respect the author's vision — feedback is optional, not mandatory
• Confidentiality is expected — what’s shared in the group stays in the group

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Bring your words, your questions, and your curiosity — and let’s help each other grow as writers. See you at the table! 🎙️📚