A writing workshop or a local writing club could be ideal. Here, you get face-to-face interaction and in-depth critiques from fellow writers who understand the process.
You might find good feedback on social media groups focused on writing. For example, Facebook groups specifically for writers or those on Twitter using relevant hashtags. The advantage is the wide range of perspectives you can get.
Post it on writing forums or communities. Many fellow writers there are willing to offer feedback and suggestions. You'll get a variety of perspectives.
Online writing communities such as Wattpad or Reddit's writing - related subreddits. There are a large number of readers and writers who can give different perspectives. They can quickly point out what is engaging and what needs improvement in your story. For example, they might tell you if your dialogue sounds natural or if your story's pacing is off.
You could share your stories on online writing communities or forums. There are many dedicated platforms where fellow writers and readers offer feedback.
Try showing your short stories to friends or family who enjoy reading. They might offer some honest feedback. You could also submit to literary magazines that often provide editorial comments if your work is selected.
The itch.io platform is also worth considering. There are many indie developers who publish their visual novels there. It often has some unique and experimental visual novels that you might not find elsewhere. Additionally, it supports independent creators directly.
Comic book stores are a great place to get graphic novels. They usually have a wide selection, from mainstream superhero comics to indie and alternative graphic novels. Staff at these stores are often passionate about comics and can give good recommendations.
You could approach writing coaches or mentors. They have the expertise to give in-depth feedback and point out areas for improvement. Another option is to participate in writing contests where the judges' comments can be valuable feedback for your novel manuscript.
For many writers, a quiet and comfortable home office works well. It gives you privacy and a familiar environment to focus.
The best place really depends on your preferences. Some people like writing in a park surrounded by nature, while others prefer a dedicated home office with all their writing tools at hand. It could even be a coffee shop with a nice ambience.
You can place it near a river or a lake. That way, it'll have easy access to water sources.