I, too, crave a writer's community. I wish for an Inklings of my own, and love to discuss fics, whether it's the concept or the brainstorming, or the process. waymeet meets some of that need for me, in that there are a number of people there I've worked with in various ways these last years, so there's a trust level.

Some time ago there was a Yahoo list, 'Hobbitfics', that was a similar concept. An author might bring a story to the list and request 'beta' or critique from members. I do not remember how it was organized, but it may have been most successful when it matched a writer one on one with betas, rather than the group descending with all their various viewpoints upon one fic.

There may be a distinction, too, between presenting completed fics for critique versus presenting fics upon which the author desires to work further.

My personal experience has been that it is most effective for me to work with betas with whom I've built a collaborative and trusting working relationship as a story takes shape.

It's a very interesting idea, Sophie, and I look forward to hearing more. *Brainstorming is Good*