Here's one of the most common mistakes I see some new members of the #WritingCommunity make:

They think Twitter is a critique circle.

They read a bit of Twitter microfiction or a snippet from someone's WIP & say, "Great piece, but..."

The "but" is followed by a critique.

When the writer gets offended, it's easy for the critic to think, "Wow, you need a thicker skin. Critique is part of writing."

True...critique is part of writing, or it should be.

Here's the thing:

I can't speak for everyone, but for me...

I get SO MUCH CRITIQUE on my books.

I ask a team of alpha readers to give me feedback as I write.

I ask a LOT of beta readers to critique after I revise.

I even ask ARC readers to send me last-minute typos.

Then I publish & open myself up to public critique—reviews!

All this critique is so good for my writing.

It can also be hard on my soul.

So I need a safe place where I can come and get some encouragement.

That's why for me & many others...

Twitter isn't a critique circle.

It's an open-mic gathering, focused not on throwing rotten fruit at each other, but cheering each other on.

It's a place where I want to feel safe to share my WIP...

...and experiment with microfiction...

...and make typos...

...before I go back to my critique-filled pursuit of excellence with my books.

Once more, louder, for those in the back—

Twitter isn't a critique circle.

It's a supportive open-mic gathering.

For more tips on making the most of your Twitter experiment, check out this crowdsourced blog post written by the #WritingCommunity: https://carolbethanderson.com/so-youre-new-to-the-writingcommunity-on-twitter/

*experience not experiment.