Tris A.

Wet Canvas is for all sorts of art. The site includes product reviews, help, how-to's, as well as an extensive forum. The forums are filled with all sorts of artists who are happy to help.

The only problem I've had there is the occasional condescension from a few artists on chosen mediums. However, the moderators have quickly stepped in, as the site is dedicated to open discussion of all mediums used for art.

Seventh Sanctum is a site with all sorts of inspirational generators. Generators to come up with names, superhero powers, writing prompts, and so many others. And I mean MANY others. There are categories to help you find the type of generator you want, and there are more generators added all the time.

Need a story idea? Need inspiration? Need an elf name? Need an anime team? Need an evil organization name? Need a villain goal? Then try the generators and see what they come up with.

For science fiction, horror, and fantasy, this is the best place I've found to give and receive critiques on fiction. The systems is set up to encourage use and participation by using a token system. You do so many critiques, and you earn the right to have your own work critiqued.

Other nice things about the website is the general information, their articles on how to give good critiques, as well as the discussion forums. The people there tend to be informative and imaginative. The only real downside is that sometimes one can get a little lost in using the interface for the critiques. However, once one has used it a few times it gets easier to find your way around.

The good:
Good spam filtering
Good threaded comments
Chat is good (when it works)

The bad:
Bad navigation that seems to get worse with each so-called 'upgrade'
Changes for no reason other than to... change.
Bad contrast with newest update with no viable alternatives in the Themes section.

Gmail really has some good perks, but I'm not the only one they ticked off with the latest changes which appear to have been made just because. Some browsers can't use it now, complaints all over, and we're told "tough." They changed the icon-only format of the buttons after so many people complained about not having a text option.

I still use it right now but I'm on the active lookout for a different option that can handle all my various email addresses (like the old Eudora could). The Gmail overseers do not listen to their users much anymore. Have a problem? Well, that's your problem.

The Passive Voice is a great aggregator of information from all over concerning the book publishing business in all its aspects. At times the owner, who is an IP lawyer in his 'other life,' adds additional commentary (although should not be taken as legal advice). The commentors are active and often add additional information from all sides of the issues that make for interesting and informative reading.

Is there anything to dislike? Well, sometimes the website gets overwhelmed and things slow down a bit. Sometimes there are problems with the back-end of the website preventing usage, but these are taken care of in a timely manner.

This is a site I consider a must-read for anyone in the writing or publishing business.

Forward Motion Writers was started by Holly Lisle and is now run by Lazette Gifford. The site is based on the concept of 'forward motion' and the Pay Forward principle, which is that, in exchange for the help you get there, you then go out and help others.

The website sports forums, chat rooms, regular challenges, dares, free classes and workshops, and the free writing emagazine "Vision: A Resource for Writers". January 2013 will start a whole new slew of workshops including Lazette Giffords "2 Year Novel" course (as well as other month-long workshops). Oh, and did I mention that the workshops and classes, as well as everything else, is free?

Downside is the older forum software that will hopefull be upgraded before too long. Don't let this detract from the wealth of information contained within.

I've found it a friendly place with people who genuinely want to help, including all the moderators and the site owner. Years ago it was even a recommended site by Writer's Digest, which is how I originally found it. It's a great place to grow in the writing craft and business. There are writers at all levels of their careers including multi-published authors.