Rynling R&D

I went to one (1) writing workshop around around 5 years ago that lasted only a day and hated it. Most of that stems from the fact I helped the coordinator with it, so it's most of the behind the scenes bullshit that still leaves a bad taste in my mouth (short version, she started it as part writing workshop and part yoga practice to help establish a healthy writing practice, but she canceled it all after one session because she didn't like any of the people who attended due to them being "amateurs" and unable to help her with her own manuscripts. Fuck her). So while I don't exactly have much in terms of experience with writing workshops, I do know I'm not... really interested in them. I'd rather get feedback A) from people I already respect as writers and/or editors or B) from a damn professional, like what drmarcus mentioned above. Plus I don't have the energy to give an unfiltered critique to an absolute stranger. I beta for my friends, people I've gotten to know and feel comfortable with helping out. Hell, I spent five years in art school doing weekly, if not daily, critiques of my peers' works along with receiving it from them. A writing workshop, however, feels like some place where I'd need to constantly be prepared to defend my feedback the second someone lashes back in disagreement or even cries for... some reason, I dunno. Regardless, I don't have time for that. Nor do I blame anyone else skipping that entirely.