inkstains | Tips & Tricks: Feedback

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One of the hardest things for me as a writer is feedback. I mean, I love a "nice job!" comment as much as anyone else, but it's not particularly helpful. What was nice? My characterization? Plot? Writing style and word choice? By the same note, a "that sucked lol" comment isn't too useful, either. I do like to know when someone doesn't enjoy something I write, but I'd also appreciate knowing why they didn't like it; if it's a clichéd plot or unrealistic characters, I could keep that in mind the next time I write, but if they're against the subject matter, I don't need to worry about it. And there are the pieces with difficult subject matter where readers appreciate the quality of writing but not the subject - how do you reply to that? My usual "Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed" is useless here.

As a reader, it's also tough to give useful feedback. It's much easier as an editor, but when you're just a reader, you're never quite sure how much you can really say. It's all well and good to point out a typo, I feel, but to offer content criticism where it isn't welcome can get you into a right mess, even if it is concrit (constructive critique). On the other hand, if it is welcome and you don't offer it, you leave the author feeling the way I described in the first paragraph.

How do you decide what's acceptable to leave as feedback? If you receive vague comments or feedback that you feel criticizes your piece too harshly, how do you feel about it, and what do you do?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I like this post; it's really apt. I just read a fic by

obsession_inc, called Concession, and I was really blown away by that story (which analysed and deconstructed gender roles in the context of stalking, normative 'romance', and abuse). So I commented on those aspects which I found striking. That's typically what I do if I really, really like a story - I talk about what I like, what I felt worked. I'm not going to do a full-on edit, but if some aspects don't work or could have been fleshed out then I try to include that in my feedback as well.

I don't like to comment on a story if it sucked. If it had its strong and weak points then of course I'll try to give a more balanced viewpoint, but unless it's something that's really awful (like, maybe, rape apologism or Holocaust denial or exotic orientalism, something godawful and offensive) then I try not to leave negative comments.

Similarly, I like people to take a similar approach if they comment on what I write. I don't mind someone writing with their personal feelings; I try to respond in kind; but sometimes if I'm at a loss for words then I'll stick to a 'Thank you' or 'Thank you for reading/commenting' and a passive-aggressive :) emoticon.

I don't like to comment on a story if it sucked.

Same here. If there's nothing I like, I don't think it's worth bothering to point out the multiple/endless flaws I see with a piece.

Most of the time, I try to leave a little bit of constructive criticism along with some kind words, because while most authors want feedback, just going in with criticism is a bit of a downer. Besides, if I'm commenting on it, I usually do like it, and I want the author to know they did a good job, even if there's a spot or two where improvement could occur! (There's obviously exceptions. If I know someone's particularly sensitive or unhappy with the piece they've written, I might not critique. Got to consider feelings when possible . . . on the flip side, if someone asks for brutal honesty, I might do more than I usually would.)

Personally, I don't mind vague comments on my things too much, though I definitely appreciate critique . . . not many people read 90% of what I write, so I'm used to not getting any feedback at all, and therefore am happy just knowing that someone read what I wrote (even if all they leave is a "nice job", as said above.)

Vague is definitely better than nothing. When I leave vague comments, it's usually a case of being in a hurry but wanting to leave some sort of note for the author, so I try to take that into consideration.

Of course. And I totally get being in a hurry. x_x

I find it really difficult to give feedback. I worry that I'm criticising too much and not saying enough about what I do like. It's easier when the person writing asks for feedback, but a lot of the time I've read something and I feel like I'm 'cold calling' or something if I drop a comment.

That said, on the other hand, I love constructive feedback and wish I got more!

It's always a hard balancing act. If it helps any, I love concrit, too! :)

I think college is when I really got into constructive criticism. I crave it like mad, so I'm not too keen on vague praise.

I love knowing how and why my piece worked. You like it why? Sometimes I feel like such an attention whore because I want people to tell me the reasoning behind their comments--good or bad.

Actually, this topic ties in with why I was reserved about signing up as an editor. I love dropping comments on pieces that touch me, but I always felt apprehensive about having the obligation to edit. What if I have nothing nice to say about a piece? What if it doesn't engage me and I can't find the words?

I'm trying to get over that with this community here. :) Usually my editing/critique style is as follows:

Say what I like about the piece before getting into anything critical. It's nice to see redeeming qualities/things that worked really, really well. Then go into slight changes (grammar/construction/wording). Lastly, I pepper in questions, usually playing devil's advocate by asking (if something is unclear/can be taken more than one way) what the writer meant to say. I also provide what it could mean as a bouncing board.

But as a general rule, I try and get a feel of people. Some like constructive crit...others not so much. If someone completely misses the ball on a piece, I get upset and usually thank them for reading while replying to parts of their comment that I agree with. Then I make faces at my computer screen and walk away. ;)

Tips & Tricks: Feedback

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