How To Embrace Getting Feedback On Your Writing
I remember the first time I shared my writing.
My hands were shaking, my heart was racing. I desperately wanted to hear what my peers had to say about my work, but at the same time, I was terrified. What if they hated it? What if my story was awful? What if they loved it?
Receiving feedback is a key part of honing our craft as writers. However, it can often feel daunting or overwhelming. Whether you're an experienced author or just starting out, it can take a lot of creative courage to share your work. However, learning how to effectively deal with feedback is a powerful tool for growth and improvement.
In our blog, we'll explore strategies for embracing feedback as a valuable tool, as well as how to transform notes on our work into opportunities for learning. From recognising the value of diverse perspectives to the art of selective notetaking, join us as we delve into the art of handling feedback.
Why does feedback matter?
Feedback has been part of the writing workshop for decades. It’s a well-used teaching pedagogy and a tool we can all implement. It helps to develop self-awareness and allows you to test your ideas. It can help you see improvements from 1st draft to 4th and you can learn even more from giving feedback to others.
As writers, it’s important we also learn how to give useful feedback to our peers.
It can help us to improve
We can learn how to spot blind spots in our own work
We can support our peers and make their work the best it can be!
So, let's dive in and discover how you can turn feedback into a powerful ally on your writing journey.
1. Embrace Feedback As Part Of The Process
Receiving feedback on your writing can be both enlightening and intimidating. Yet embracing advice as a natural part of the writing process is important to help us grow as writers.
If we can view feedback from a productive perspective, we will come to see it as an opportunity to improve our skills rather than as criticism. One way we can start to do this is by approaching feedback with an open mind.
One of the exciting things about creative writing is that we all bring different perspectives, and these new insights can be valuable in helping us improve our work. Our podcast episode on how to deal with feedback can help you with this.
Try to listen attentively to what others have to say and focus on the constructive aspects of the feedback. A fresh perspective on our work can uncover things we might’ve missed and help inspire us. Even the most experienced writers benefit from feedback, as it can help identify blind spots.
But remember that you don’t have to accept these opinions and you don’t have to agree with them. In fact, sometimes getting feedback we don’t agree with can be really helpful. Whilst we don’t recommend getting into an argument with your writing group members, developing an argument and having a deeper understanding as to why you made a particular decision can be very empowering.
2. See Feedback As A Great Learning Opportunity
If we can learn to see feedback as a great learning opportunity, it can transform our writing journey. Rather than viewing it as criticism, it’s more productive for us to try to recognise it as a chance to expand our understanding and skills. Asking ourselves what can I learn from this piece of feedback? What has this person shown me that I didn’t see before? Did I have blind spots within my writing or my story?
Each piece of feedback offers a unique perspective, shedding light on areas for improvement or highlighting strengths you may not have recognised. These different viewpoints can enrich our writing with new things. That’s why it’s a valuable skill to be able to approach feedback with curiosity and a willingness to learn.
If you’re unsure of how to give your notes on somebody’s work, you can check out our blog on how to give useful feedback.
3. Choose Which Notes You Take On Board
It's important to be selective about which notes you choose to act on. We also need to remember that not all feedback is productive and not every suggestion will align with our vision for our work. By taking the time to evaluate the feedback, we can find new possibilities for our writing.
Consider the source of the feedback. Is it from a trusted mentor, a fellow writer, or a casual reader? Additionally, you might want to prioritise feedback that stands out to you and aligns with your writing goals.
Despite how productive feedback on our work can be, we should also remember that we’re the ultimate authority on our work. Our growth mindset can help with this. Not only can this help us to use feedback productively, but we can also channel it to remind us to believe in ourselves. Trust your instincts when deciding which notes to incorporate into your writing process.
Being selective about the feedback you take on board is key. This way, you can ensure that your writing stays true to your unique voice, while still benefiting from other valuable perspectives.
So, why is feedback so valuable to us as writers?
Mastering the art of embracing feedback, is a kind of art form in itself. Although receiving comments on our work can be daunting, there are several benefits to the process too. It's about recognising the value of different perspectives and using them to fuel our growth as a writer.
If you would like to receive feedback on your work why not join our Finish Your Book Course? This group programme will teach you how to give and receive feedback and you’ll gain weekly notes from your peers.
How do you approach feedback and what strategies have you found most effective? Share your experiences with us by writing to info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. We'd love to hear about your journey with feedback and how it's influenced your writing process!
