Feedback: A Great Way to Support Your Fellow Writers
What if there was a shortcut, a writing hack mayhaps, that could dramatically improve your writing in both speed and substance? Psst. There is. It’s feedback.
Feedback is magical. It points out what isn’t working, so you can fix it. It points out what is working, so you can expand it. Feedback provides an objective evaluation of your writing. Sure, it can seem subjective, but if you get the same feedback from multiple sources, Baby, it’s you, not me.
Beta readers, including beta readers that are other writers, can help you tighten your story and hone your craft but can be hard to find or keep. Feedback from editors is precious but will cost you.
Many writers seek a long-term critique partner but the price of receiving feedback is giving it. The better you are at providing useful feedback, the better your chances of a writer reciprocating for you, so I’ve put together some suggestions on how to give useful feedback.
Be Positive and Sincere in your Feedback
I disagree with those who think you shouldn’t sugar-coat feedback. In my experience, it’s hard to hear anything when you feel defensive, and for many writers, having their work attacked is the same as attacking them. Or worse, their baby.
On the other hand, gushing is also not useful. Too much gush and the writer will either A) feel like they’ve done enough and skip the rest of the comments, B) read on eagerly and be crushed by the list of things you’re suggesting they fix, or C) read your suggestions with narrowed eyes, suspicious that your feedback will not amount to much more than an “atta-girl/boy/person/alien”.
Be Thoughtful with your Feedback
Have a snack. Drink some water. Make sure that you’re in the right headspace and that you’ve given yourself enough time to provide feedback. Just yelled at your kid or boss or mother? Been sniping at a partner or ranting on Twitter? This is not the best time to throw yourself into constructive feedback. Go for a walk. Have another snack. Do yoga, journal, water your plants. Get yourself to a better place where you can offer a critical analysis from the best version of you.
Note, this is not a license to put off providing your observations and suggestions- the instant a writer has sent you their material to critique, they’re ported to a place of greater anxiety. The longer you leave it, the tougher the wait is going to feel to the writer. Or maybe that’s just me.
Be Direct
Once you are in the right headspace, draft your comments. I am using the word draft here intentionally. I use the oreo or sandwich method of providing feedback; I start with what I enjoyed and thought they did well. I provide my feedback next. I end with the next steps and words of encouragement.
After I’ve drafted the feedback, I reread what I wrote. Is feedback clear? Is it organized? Does it follow a logical flow?
Be Observant
After I’ve drafted my feedback, I’ll often read back through the comments I’ve made in their document. Have I captured what I noted while reading the piece? Is what I’ve drafted still relevant after I read through my comments?
Be Specific
If a sentence is awkward, I’ll usually flag it in the piece with a comment. If the entire piece is awkward, I’ll find several examples so I can show that the issue is pervasive.
If a transition is rough, I’ll offer suggestions for things that may smooth the transition. This is easier when I can point to a specific passage.
If a word or phrase breaks the flow of the piece, I’ll call it out and explain why it was jarring.
Be a Coach with your Feedback
Every once in awhile, I’ll be asked to provide feedback on a piece where there is more wrong than right. I’ve seen reviewers take two tacks when this happens. Some reviewers will find what they like best about the piece and ask the writer to build a new piece around that kernel. Others will write a long list of everything wrong and hope the writer takes the hint.
I go back to the writer and tell them honestly that I’ve had a lot of trouble with their piece. I can usually point to a number of issues, but instead of listing all of them, I’ll pick a few and try to provide resources where the writer can learn more about those issues. If they are receptive, I’ll share interesting podcasts or articles I found useful, and keep checking in on how they’re doing. We can all learn to write on our own, but isn’t it easier if someone shares the little gems they’ve found useful with you?
Giving honest and well-intended feedback is often confused with being mean. It's not mean; it's nice. -Robert Kiyosaki Click To Tweet
Feedback, when authentic and constructive, is writer gold. Good feedback helps us become better writers faster than we could achieve it on our own. It can build skills, confidence, and best of all, community.
How are you at giving and receiving feedback?