Asking For Feedback: Tips for Writers

There comes a time in every writer’s life that they need to ask someone else to read their work. Asking for feedback is scary because you open up the door to criticism, rejection and indifference to your beloved creation. Reframe your fears and think of it as an opportunity to learn and to be a better writer. These pointers are things to consider to make the process as easy as possible… 

1. Be specific. When you ask someone to read your work always be specific about what you want feedback on. For instance, you may get a manuscript back full of spelling corrections when you actually wanted to know if the plot was any good. Likewise, if you want your grammar checked out it might be a disheartening when they tell you they think your prose needs work. 

2. Ask the right person. Be careful when you choose who you want to critique your work. This one is completely up to you. You might want someone who you know and love to read it, or you might want someone you don’t know so it’s more impersonal. You may want to find a member of your target readership or another writer. Whoever you choose let it be someone you really trust. Most importantly, be lovely to them, give them time and remember they’re doing you a favour. 

3. Make sure the time is right. Be mindful about when you send your work out for feedback. If you’ve just started a piece of work sending it out too early on its creative life could be damaging. Characters are not yet fully formed and the plot may still be hazy. Hearing criticism this early on could lead you to abandon it altogether. Get to know the project and let it bulk up before you expose it to the world. 

4. If you’ve ever been a student you’ll know how annoying it is when you’re given lazy, vague comments at the end of an essay. If the person giving you feedback says they don’t like something, try and get them to be specific about what it is exactly that bothers them. It might help if you give them a feedback form to fill in or ask them to give their feedback in person. 

5. Finally, when you get your feedback try and be open to criticism and advice, but remember that it’s just one opinion and that any writing issue is salvageable. 

Do you have a process when you ask for feedback? Who do you like to ask for feedback?