Comments on: Writing Feedback: Should We Seek It Out?

By: Top Picks Thursday! For Writers & Readers 10-03-2019 | The Author Chronicles

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 17:01:56 +0000

[…] you’ve got that first draft, the revision work begins. Angela Ackerman wonders: should we seek out writing feedback?; James Scott Bell shares rookie mistakes indie writers make, Janice Hardy reminds us to check for […]

By: Joy V Spicer

Joy V Spicer — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 11:38:19 +0000

Great post, Angela, and very on point. I’m a firm believer that writers must have feedback in whatever way they can get it. One of my good friends who used to be a copy editor wasn’t backward about coming forward whenever she looked over my work. And I was grateful for her constructive criticism. I didn’t ask her to look over my third MS because she was dealing with health issues and had enough on her plate. I decided to hire an editor and I am SO glad I did. Thanks to her help, my story ended up so much better 🙂

I’ve done the same as Jan a couple of times – while the story was good, the writing needed work, and I conveyed my honest opinions via email instead of leaving reviews but was told that others didn’t have any issues so the ‘problem’ was obviously mine. Ah well…

I’ve signed up to the Character Clinic though I don’t think I’ll be able to participate ‘live’ as it’ll be dinner-time here in the UK. Looking forward to the recording – thank you for your generosity in including that option 🙂

By: ANGELA ACKERMAN

ANGELA ACKERMAN — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 20:32:01 +0000

In reply to Jan Sikes. It's a shame that she didn't see the gift you were giving by taking the time to offer feedback and NOT leaving the review. Down the road (if she continues to write and chooses to invest in her writing by workshopping it with others), she'll probably realize what you were trying to do for you and regret how she behaved. It was kind of you to try to help. <3 Opening oneself up to feedback is hard. We know there are problems. We know the work is weak in areas. But when we hope maybe it isn't too bad or it won't be noticed, or tell ourselves we just don't have the time and mental energy into trying to make it "perfect" so it's good enough as-is, we really shortchange ourselves and our personal growth as writers. And of course, we shortchange readers too. Feedback is an opportunity to benefit from the knowledge of others and it's such a great way to learn quickly. And really, this is what most writers are after--to be able to write a great book quickly. They should embrace the ability to source and give feedback because it's a good way to fast track the learning curve. But hand in hand with not wanting to subject oneself to criticism is often the reluctance to work hard. Revision is hard work. Analyzing, fixing, and rewriting is hard work. Investing in others by giving feedback is also hard work. And so they convince themselves that feedback is a hassle they don't need. Certainly the bulk of writers aren't like this. But I've run into my share of ones looking for an easy button, wanting to master storytelling without putting in the dedication and effort it takes to master anything. I hope that at some point they have a realization that puts them into a mindset where they see a rewarding goal is worth the effort. :)

By: Jan Sikes

Jan Sikes — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 20:04:38 +0000

This is so important, Angela, and I’m glad to see it focused on here! I recently gave an author some feedback on her newly published book through a private email and she was hurt and offended by my feedback. The storyline and characters were good, but her writing needed work and I simply couldn’t go post a good or bad review on Amazon, so chose to communicate in private. She could have benefitted from beta-readers. Once the book is published, it’s harder to revise. So, your advice in this post is GREAT!