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Many people think of the writer as a solitary creature, holed up in a cabin at an ornate desk, sipping coffee while typing away on their next draft. They might not see another person for weeks, and that’s ok.
And yes, many of us do enjoy our alone time. But writing is not entirely a solo act. Between the initial draft and publication, your work is almost certainly going to be reviewed by others.
This is one of the scariest parts of writing. After all, what if someone hates your story you’ve spent hours crafting? But it’s also the part that makes us better, and it’s why the writing workshop is such a common component of a writer’s practice. Here are some ways to give and receive good feedback.
Table of Contents:
- How to give good feedback.
- 1. Focus on the writing, not the writer.
- 2. Phrase feedback as a question when you can.
- 3. Ask yourself: is this a matter of taste or of comprehension?
- 4. Comment on what’s working well.
- 5. Avoid subjective phrases like “I like” or “this is great.”
- 6. Provide insight into your understanding of the piece.
- 7. Stay focused on the big picture.
- Why is receiving feedback so difficult?
How to give good feedback.
1. Focus on the writing, not the writer.
Providing feedback is about bettering the piece of writing. If something isn’t working in a story or poem, it’s a good thing to point out. But make sure you phrase it as a question or comment on the writing, not an attack on the writer themselves: “The story feels a bit confusing here,” or “I wasn’t sure what this part was about.”
2. Phrase feedback as a question when you can.
People are generally more receptive to questions, and it encourages the writer to think more. Ask things like:
- What did you mean by this?
- What were you trying to convey with this choice?
- Why does this character decide to leave the situation?
3. Ask yourself: is this a matter of taste or of comprehension?
Some things just come down to taste. I am an ardent lover of the em dash, and others find them a bit tedious. Try to put your own biases and preferences aside and focus on the comprehension and quality of the story.
4. Comment on what’s working well.
Nobody likes just hearing negative feedback over and over again. By pointing out the things that are working well, you can tell the writer what parts are the strongest. And you might surprise them. There have been times when I hated a line in my story, but it was someone else’s favorite part!
5. Avoid subjective phrases like “I like” or “this is great.”
Yeah, it can feel good to hear. But it doesn’t actually help much. Why do you like it? Why is it great? This tells a writer what elements to use more of.
6. Provide insight into your understanding of the piece.
Writing, as an art, is often reliant on interpretation. A writer has one understanding of the piece in their head, but you may read it entirely differently. By explaining your takeaways and understandings, the writer can see different ways their work may be read.
7. Stay focused on the big picture.
In most cases, writing feedback is about the bigger stuff: themes, consistency, understanding, plot moments. Unless you’ve been asked to do proofreading or editing, you don’t need to worry about small grammar or spelling mistakes. Those will come later.
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Why is receiving feedback so difficult?
It’s hard to feel like your work isn’t good enough. It’s scary to have others tear apart something you love. But at the end of the day, it will make your writing, and you, stronger. There are two tips I like to follow when receiving feedback.
First, understand that all writing feedback is a judgment of your work, not you as a person or writer. It’s commentary on this specific piece; knowledge you can use to better the writing and, possibly, your future work. But it shouldn’t have a bearing on your self-image or how others see you.
Second, know that you often have the final say. Yes, feedback is very helpful. But sometimes, a reader just misunderstands your work. If you really feel like including that third scene is necessary, you can do it. Listen to others’ feedback, and consider it thoroughly. But you get to make the decisions about what works best.
As a writer, I obviously talk a lot about how this plays out in creative writing. But giving and receiving feedback is also vital for schoolwork, reports, summaries, and even non-written work you may have to do. Learning the skills of quality feedback now will help you in all aspects of your life.
Do you have other tips for giving or receiving feedback? I’d love to hear them! You can leave a comment down below or on my Instagram (@ashtonrosewrites) or Facebook (@ashtonrosewritesfb). And if you liked this post, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.
Ashton Rose 