Schneider, Pat. "Introduction: Writing With Others, and The Principles of a Healthy Workshop." Writing Alone and With Others.

Writers do not always benefit from solitary work -- writing can be lonely work. "Most writers benefit from communication with other writers. Writing can be a lonely endeavor, much of the work must be done in solitude. However, too much solitude -- or too much conversation with people who do not write, and too little with those who do -- can lead to depression and despair" (177).

Writing in a group has other benefits: you learn the craft by seeing what works (and doesn't work) in other writers' works, and it can help you take risks in your work. Also, workshopping helps you publish and network (177-9).

Schneider re-establishes the "essential affirmations" of a good workshop:

1. Everyone has a strong, unique voice,
2. Everyone is born with creative genius,
3. Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or educational level,
4. The teaching of craft can be done without damage to a writer's original voice or artistic self-esteem, and
5. A writer is someone who writes (186).

So, basically, no one in a workshop should be disparaged, which hurts the main purpose of a workshop: to learn from and encourage each other.