Writing.comReviews 236

Having poured myself into my writing for two other writer's websites that changed into corporate monsters that do not allow any current access to my work, I was thrilled to find Writing.Com, which is a much more established website for writers, by writers and with writers and writing as the main focus of everything that is done on WDC!

Both of the unnamed, nefarious websites were started around 2005 to 2008, changing their policies, until finally users, like me, could no longer log-in to access our intellectual property.

In stark and wonderful contrast, Writing.Com, which was established on September 1,2000, is a much older, more mature, more consistent writer-operated and writer-focused writer's website.

I was severely burned as a writer on those two previous, distasteful occasions, but I don't see that happening here at WDC because the founder and his wife are very hands-on, very people-oriented individuals, caring very much about the individual writers, rather than about the Bottom Line that eats up all the sanity of true writing excellence.

Thank You so much, Story Master & Story Mistress, for a safe place to write, whether little or much, whether quickly or slowly. You make thoughts important as you keep people important! I am greatly HONORED to know you both! :D

I've been a member for almost 16.5 years... to say this site has been a big influence on my work and a part of my life is truly an understatement.

If you are willing to share your work with other and improve the quality of your writing, there simply is no other community of writers on the internet worth spending your time on. And if you're willing to be a part of our community, chances are you will be embraced and find a place for your creativity.

There are plenty of groups, forums, activities, and contests... all offering the opportunity to expand your readership, get your work "out there", and meet new friends along the way. Some of my best friends are people I've come to know throughout the years, and I wouldn't trade their help, guidance, or companionship for anything. By far, there is no other place on the internet... where the comments section of any given website is reduced to mouthbreathers and knuckledraggers hurling derogatory all-caps epitaphs at each other over nothing to do with the topic at hand, WDC's members are peaceful, supportive, and genuinely decent human beings who want nothing more than to see your success.

I'm glad I made the decision back in 2001 to Google something about "putting my poems on the internet", and becoming a member. I know this may sound hyperbolic, but I believe it really has changed my life... if you're reading this review and want to know more, come find me (my username is Fivesixer) at WDC and I'll help you with anything else you'd like to know.

I have been a member of Writing.com for four years now. With the help and guidance of dozens and dozens of other writers, I have honed my writing skills. I also enjoy the social interactions with other members from all over the world. I appreciate their humor, creativity, and compassion. The support I have received from these people is unbelievable. When I announced that I had been diagnosed with cancer, the love and support, the encouragement and hope I got from these people was overwhelming. When I start a new activity, people check it out and participate.

Do we have our disagreements? Yes, yes we do. We do not always see eye to eye, but respect is something you can count on there. The reviews that I receive on my stories are helpful, sometimes with bare bones honesty.

I've shared my writing on the site and have received many different reviews, good and bad. I won't say my writing deserved all five stars because the reality is it needed work. There are many authors published and unpublished on WDC and visiting readers who have offered critiques. I feel the advice given has helped my writing improve immensely. I'm eternally grateful for their help. It is a very satisfying experience to be with other people who share the same love for words that I do.

I've made many friends from around the world. This is an amazing opportunity for people to interact and discuss their passion for writing.

The staff is very committed to making every login on WDC the best. I've always had great responses when I've asked questions. The price for membership is very reasonable.

I've been using WDC for seven years and now. I'm a very satisfied customer.
Thank you Storymaster and Storymistress for making it possible.
Lyn Crain

I have been a member of this site for a long time. I started with a free account and posted work that I had written. I received good and bad reviews for the work. I received an in-depth, almost line by line review of one of my short stories. This review was incredible in its helpfulness.

Like anything you do, you get out of it what you put into it. If you don't give reviews you are not likely to get many reviews. Posting your work, giving reviews, entering contests let the other members know that you are there. I take spells of my activity on the site, sometimes really busy with it and other times not so much.

I was given a yellow case I believe last year. Preferred writer - I did not do anything special to get it, like I said sometimes I'm active and sometimes I'm not. I have a varied portfolio and some writers like it and some don't. You can't please everyone and I'm not trying to.

The site itself has a lot going on - some things I'm interested in and some not - I've joined several groups and enjoyed them, some I stayed with and some I resigned from. I have always found the owners and staff very helpful and knowledgeable. When I've needed help it has been given. I like being able to just roam around and read, review when I want to, and just spend time learning a little more about writing.

I have received some unflattering reviews, though not many, those I read and respond with a 'thank you for your time.' Most of the reviews have been very helpful - when reading reviews you simply have to remember that these are other humans and their opinions of your writing - take what you can use from it - and remember in the end it is your story or writing - change it or leave it the same. I really appreciate reviews with point of view corrections, grammar, and punctuation; these I have trouble with and appreciate the help.

If you want to improve your writing this site will help you do that, there are many on here who are very good and honest with their reviews - be sure you want honesty before you post. The newsletters are helpful and I enjoy reading them - Jeff has written several very helpful newsletters - I must admit to not reading them all.

I have read some of the different reviews about this site, and like I said - you get out of it what you have put into it. I have entered contests and not won but still enter when I want to. This site has a lot to offer, it's up to you to use it.

Thanks LW

I've been a member of this site for nearly four years, and I have never once regretted joining.

Is Writing.com perfect? Of course not, but it is a wide and deep resource for newcomers to the writing craft and for well established writers. When I last checked, there were contributions from over 90,000 writers world wide held on the site. Sure, some will have walked away, and some will have passed away. But I have always found the people there genuinely helpful and wholly constructive.

Of course if all you want is to have your ego stroked, you're headed in the wrong direction. Feedback is almost always positive, but it may involve some critical deconstruction of your stories with the simple purpose of helping you to become a better author. I know that this is how it has worked for me.

And I have never met with arrogance, petty-mindedness, egotism or other nasties, and in turn, I always attempt to provide positive and supportive feedback.

Payment is not required, although rthe free service is quite limited. But it's a good place to start and get a feel for the community, and I always get my annual $50 worth from being a member of writing.com.

The WDC features are wonderful and I am able to take advantage of all types of activities and functions. Although I've investigated other very, very good writing sites, I find myself spending as much time enjoying the productivity, educational offerings, contest opportunities, group membership activities, reviewing and being reviewed, and many more things such as adding to my portfolio different items such as product reviews, taking advantage of blog, static item, and other types of creation and writing related activities. WDC is a very good investment onto writing because the members are friendly and willing to help you learn. There is a plethora of classes available for the beginning as well as experienced writer to choose from. I could write more about writing.com, however, I need to get back to WDC and enjoy my time on the site. Be careful because before you know it, time will be flying by while you are enjoying everything about WDC. Then you'll want to spend more time in the community. Yes this is the community I would definitely recommend for writers.

In 2002, I ventured into a world called Stories.Com, which is now known as Writing.Com. Prior to then I had never shared my writing with anyone, but the Members and the Creators were welcoming and super encouraging. Within the first few weeks, I found that I was no longer afraid to share my voice or opinions. I am an amateur writer, but this site has allowed me to improve my skills and step outside of my comfort zone.

We live in a world where people say they care, but it is often difficult to see proof of that in their actions. On two separate occasions, I had the pleasure of meeting the people behind the curtain (SM and SMs). I can honestly say that they truly care, not just about the site's success but about the actual Members. Both SM and SMs have limited time on their hands, yet they seem to have always made time for their Members.

Through the years, I have seen the site grow in size and what is offered. There are many useful tools for writers and those that have a creative spark. The site allows every writer to have their own portfolio, which can be organized to personal preference. You can create a wide range of items to share with others, such as books, static items, forums, photo albums, blogs, polls, contests, and so on. There is a numerous amount of material for the avid reader. There is something for everyone.

I have had many opportunities that I never would have had if it weren't for that site. I am grateful to the Creators and Staff, and will continue to support something that changed my life.

Writing.com gave me a wonderful gift--confidence and courage to share my heart with others through poetry. Since joining, I've become a more skilled poet with the help of others on the site and through reading the poems written by others.

In addition to giving my inner self a voice, I've found Writing.com to be a special place for making friends and participating in contests and other fun activities that make me look forward to visiting the site every day.

We offer writing courses through New Horizons Academy, and our peer review system is a great way to get honest, helpful, and encouraging feedback on our writing.

The owners of the site are exceptionally talented and very hands-on. I feel like we are all family at Writing.com.

I've learned so much from being a member. There's never a dull moment. There's always something fun going on.

Go ahead. Give it a try. There are lots of us who are anxious to help you find your way around. If you're like me, you'll fall in love with it right away.

After seeing all the 1-star and 2-star reviews on SiteJabber, my response is that I have actually funded my account since September 2009 entirely in gift points without spending one real life cent (yes, it is possible; it's called being active in reviewing, contests including IM, and the community in general). As a long-time moderator, I didn't get this blue folder by kissing up to anyone; I just wrote from my heart and experiences and participated in the community, and the rest took care of itself. While my activity in the site comes and goes (for years I was part of the admin team of a now defunct small family-friendly community site, and blogged for a year on a virtual world site), I have found both SMs to be fair and reasonable. No doubt they may have a few critics and those who were rubbed the wrong way (who doesn't?), but WDC (formerly SDC) is one of the best writing communities online today and has been really since 2001 when I joined (and I did join several other writing sites similar to WDC, and only one of them, Lit.org, remains in existence today). The only thing I consider a bit of a disadvantage as a moderator is how you can't reduce a rating of an item from 18+ to ASR for instance (unfortunately I got a complaint about that from a parent who chose that higher rating despite having no content in that rating, presumably in case it was decided in the future to put 18+ items in the folder as ratings can't be changed easily as you know), but again, I can appreciate that point of view in order to protect younger eyes from the potential effects of higher rated content. Therefore, I am posting this identical review in SiteJabber with a 5-star rating. And for those authors who may be sensitive to criticism, that is something I welcome (minus the gutless low anonymous reviewers with no meaningful feedback whatsoever) as a few of my writings have been improved substantially over the years because of it, despite the lower rating at the time. Thanks as always to the SMs, staff and senior mods for their hard work! Take care, Stallion

At two years being home at Writing Dot Com, I developed my confidence most specially in Writing, even if I am an ESL(English Second Language), WDC helped me to grow, gave the booster that I need through valuable and honest reviews that I received from different views, as well as Writing tips from different Authors in any ages, race and thoughts.
I also gained friends around the world, and mostly they are all kind and friendly, so I feel I'm at home.
The awesome writing tools are very encouraging and stimulating in creating stuffs and this depends on how the Author will use it, even the reviews they gave, that reflects everyone's uniqueness.

I've been a member of WDC for 8 years. I love the place. It is my virtual home, and over the years, I have bonded with so many wonderful writers, whom I consider friends. The site is what you choose to make of it. Any members who have been on WDC for years, think of our community as one big family. Sure we have our disagreements, but in the end, we are there for one another when needed. Others are not interested in the writing, or avid readers' aspect, but most likely are there to play interactives, and complain when their free membership comes with advertising. Guess what? Nothing is "free." If you don't want ads, buy an appropriate membership for your needs. WDC is a family business, nevertheless, it IS a business. Businesses have expenses -- every business! The Story Master and Story Mistress put a lot of work into making the site very functional, and fun. Oh, and as for contests and judging? I've been on both sides of it and have won some, and lost some, I've also judged many. I do my very best to be fair, and anyone who knows me there, knows that. I have way too many friends on the site to be able to choose one over the other, to be "the winner" and I care too much for my reputation as a judge, to do that, anyway. I've awarded Newbies or Black Cases over Preferreds and or Mods, if their entries were better. Yes, I'm one of those Moderators that some reviewers, here, are trying to bash. I am a Mod because I work hard--but it's not really work, because I love what I do on WDC and the people I do it for, and I get back from it much more than I've ever put into it, thus I am an enthusiastic volunteer. Which reminds, me. I want to get back there, and be with a community I really love, instead of trying to defend it from a few sour opinions, placed here. If you really know WDC, you have taken the time to become a part of the community, and know that there are answers for any problems or complaints you may have. There is a fine support system in place, both technical and non-technical. So, if you really want to know what WDC is all about... join, give it a try, and stay for a while. Chances are you'll be bumping into me there, because I love Newbies!:-D

It seems some people have had bad experiences with Writing.com. While I've had one or two bad reviews on my stories, the positive aspects of this community have far outweighed the potentially negative ones. On this website I've found a friendly, helpful, and caring group of people who are genuinely interested in improving and helping others improve. I've received invaluable advice that's helped my poetry and fiction. The site's owners and moderators are easy to get in touch with and helpful. And I happen to like the "outdated" layout and look.

Yes, you do get more reviews when you first sign up. After that, there are countless other ways (available to all levels of members) to receive quality reviews. I have never felt like a contest was rigged, and I've entered plenty. I've also never noticed any snobbery on the parts of paid and / or higher level members. Your experience is what you make it, and I've had a fantastic one.