How To Give Useful Feedback On Written Work
It’s one thing plucking up the courage to write – but giving feedback too? Where do you even start?
Giving useful feedback on written work is a different, but vital aspect in every writer’s life. Although it can take a while to adjust.
Getting Started with Giving Feedback
Like many others, it took me a while to find my writing calling. I was a newbie in the class. However, I was more anxious about sharing my written work and taking part in the whole feedback process. Learning the best way to approach giving feedback, and ensuring this feedback is of benefit to other writers, has definitely been interesting. To my fellow writers or those new to writing, don’t worry. It’s not as daunting as you think it will be.
Feedback, The Breakfast of Champions
As writers, it’s important we 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!
But how do we give this sort of feedback?
Read It once? Read It again!
At times when reading someone else’s work, I get so drawn into the story and the suspense, that it’s easy to get distracted from being in something I will call Focused Feedback Mode. It’s great you’re enjoying the story, but that’s not what this sort of reading is about. It may be easier to miss mistakes when your focus is angled more toward the storyline than analysing the writing.
Read the piece once to take it all in, then take a short break. Let your eyes rest for a moment. Then come back to the work and reread it. Even if you were in Focused Feedback Mode throughout the first read, remember that human error can come into play, and we can miss things without realising. The writer who produced the work will definitely appreciate your commitment to checking it, rather than an aloof once-over.
And Read It Again… This Time Aloud!
I don’t know about you, but often I find things easier to understand and contemplate when I’ve said or read it aloud. This can really help you assess the readability of the piece.
Reading dialogue aloud can give you an idea of how realistic or effective it is too. It may be easier to identify when something doesn’t make sense or is incorrect. If you get out of breath reading a certain sentence, that’s your cue to note that it may be a little too long. Whilst this may feel strange, it will give you a really good understanding of the piece. Go on, try it.
To Be Honest…
Feedback groups can be very encouraging and sweet, just like the first writing group I was matched with. Because they were so nice, I felt a tad awkward pointing out typos, mistakes or anything that could be improved. It was hard to be honest.
But honesty is so important when giving useful feedback about written work. You’ve just got to make sure you communicate your honesty in a polite and professional way – there’s no need to be blunt and brutal. Remember that you want to best for your peers.
Personally, my heart would sink if my work got handed back to me with comments like ‘I HATE THIS!! Makes NO sense’ or ‘boring character’. Of course, there will likely be parts that aren’t as vivid or engaging, but an outsider’s perspective on the writer’s work can help enhance it.
If you really don’t like something, you can express it. Just try to get that right balance of honesty and tactfulness. The writer will appreciate honesty and mistakes being identified in early drafts, so it’s smoother sailing for them later. For example, in the case of an uninteresting character, you could suggest more backstory to them a distinctive way they behave or an unusual hobby they like.
As constructive as it is to be honest about areas for improvement, be honest about what you love too! It could range from vivid descriptions to an engaging voice, realistic or extraordinary characters or a readable structure. Make sure there’s an optimistic point in your feedback; it’ll make it a more positive experience for both you and your fellow writer.
Be In Touch With Your Sensitive Side
I believe that it’s a good idea to approach feedback with sensitivity. As many writers do base a lot of stories based on their own experiences and feelings. Even if they don’t, the work they’ve created could be close to their heart. They’ve spent time on it. Take this into account when reading others’ work. They may have based their writing on something deeply personal. It could be that their writing is cathartic for them, a release of something. You don’t want to be unnecessarily harsh and brutal. Have respect towards your fellow writers, and they will return that respect to you.
Feedback Can’t Be Forced
Okay, so you’ve read the work, read it again, picked out the positives and areas for improvement and returned it. What now? Time for you to sit back and relax while the writer takes in your feedback.
Remember that some of your feedback is opinionated, just because you think something sounds or reads better doesn’t mean that the other person will agree. That’s okay! They don’t have to agree with every single aspect of your feedback and change their work, and neither do you when receiving feedback.
Some writing is subjective. What one person might not be fond of, another might think is wonderful! After receiving feedback, sometimes you have to go with what feels right and filter through which comments you want to act on.
If In Doubt, Go For Pro
Remember, feedback can be the first stage of the editing process.
In regards to receiving feedback, it could be best to seek a professional in the field. They may have a better eye for readability and grammar. It’ll also broaden your circle of other writers – it’s exciting and eye-opening to converse with people who share the same passion as you. But remember, it’s your story. You always get the final say.
It was certainly a bit scary jumping into the world of sharing and giving feedback, but it will help you to feel a lot more confident when just begin! Giving and receiving feedback will help improve your critical judgement and creativity. You’ll get a buzz from leaving positive feedback on others’ pieces. What’s more, the feedback process will enhance your own work too.
If you need help and would like some feedback on your work, check out our coaching packages here at Derbyshire Writing School. Or seek out a local writing group. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is a sure way to develop your writing skills.
Our power package coaching session will help you answer tough questions and challenge the blocks that are stopping you from creating your best work.
Writing can feel lonely, sometimes a new perspective, a little space, encouragement, and some deep thinking can really make all the difference.
