Louisa what we do in our writing group EVERY week, is as many peoiple read 4 pages of their writing for critique. We are kind but honest and it is imperative that people keep the rule of 'kindness' to who ever is reading. People become very negative when people are cruel and unthinking and drop out of the group. If you want to read, you must supply the group with a cpy of the pages of your work to read along with you and mark if they choose to. These are all handed back to the reader when the critiquing is done. Our members sigh their sheets as well. Some people ask for character information, or story info as per fiction and nonfiction differences, The converasations are endless sometimes. Good luck and just have fun.