Every writer should read this. Exchanging feedback with other writers is such an important but often misunderstood process. It’s an act of generosity, gifting the writer an active, supportive reader response.
Thank you so much for showing what useful feedback can look like. It's rare for someone to be so mindful about what might help. Often a "helpful reader/critic/agent/editor" can simply jot down what THEY think should be done and I love it that you don't - that you allow the writer to come to their own realisation/clarity through your observations as a live-type reader. After all, it is the experience of the reader that matters most and you manage to be wear a mindful and supportive cloak over your vast (writing/reading/teaching) experience. Best wishes for the year ahead.
Thanks for this Jackie - this is very much what I try to do when I give feedback, and it's what I spend time encouraging my students to do for each other. (I have... reservations about the 'workshop' model.)
Hi Patricia - as far as I can tell, you can just reply directly to the email? That’s what some other people have done - but let me know if that doesn’t work :)
Every writer should read this. Exchanging feedback with other writers is such an important but often misunderstood process. It’s an act of generosity, gifting the writer an active, supportive reader response.
Thank you so much for showing what useful feedback can look like. It's rare for someone to be so mindful about what might help. Often a "helpful reader/critic/agent/editor" can simply jot down what THEY think should be done and I love it that you don't - that you allow the writer to come to their own realisation/clarity through your observations as a live-type reader. After all, it is the experience of the reader that matters most and you manage to be wear a mindful and supportive cloak over your vast (writing/reading/teaching) experience. Best wishes for the year ahead.
Thanks for this Jackie - this is very much what I try to do when I give feedback, and it's what I spend time encouraging my students to do for each other. (I have... reservations about the 'workshop' model.)
Best wishes to you too, and here's to 2024.
Thank you Jon for this encouraging post. If we want to share a short story, to which email address should we send it? Thanks!
Hi Patricia - as far as I can tell, you can just reply directly to the email? That’s what some other people have done - but let me know if that doesn’t work :)