Tag Archive for giving feedback

Writing Groups: Positive Versus Negative Feedback

June 4, 2011 Blogging, Creative writing, Uncategorized, Writing No comments
A notebook by any other name

Definitions - M E Powell

If you’ve joined a writing group, chances are that you want ideas on how to make your writing better.

When I first sat down to blog about writing group feedback, I hadn’t thought of it as a controversial area. Yet after my last post, I received a lot of comments from writers concerned that constructive feedback might be taken as “negative” feedback.

My definition of “positive” feedback includes anything that contributes to improving our writing. That includes comments pointing out:

  • where the story goes off-track
  • where the characters might do or say something in a more effective way to advance the story
  • how to improve grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

In short, all ideas and suggestions about making a manuscript stronger or more effective can be considered positive, constructive feedback.

Writing group members most often present these ideas in an honest and respectful way. Yet damaging or even “toxic” feedback sessions do happen. In more than 20 years of writing group participation, it’s happened to me twice. Over the years, I’ve spoken to other writers who’ve had at least one such experience, and a few who have left groups because of it. (For ideas on how to handle it, see “Writing Groups: Handling Negative Feedback.”)

Here are some thoughts about how to promote the positive, based on my experiences:

1) Choose a group with members that mesh well in terms of goals and ability, including writers at a similar writing level or with similar expectations. Some groups start naturally after writing classes, and some start because a particular writer puts out a call to others to join. Many groups will allow prospective members to attend a few meetings to decide. Some request a writing sample and decide without ever meeting the writer in person. Some add members only by invitation. However they start, communication and respect are key features in any group’s success.

2) Give honest and direct critiques that point out where a piece needs work, and make suggestions for improvement. (For ideas about this, see “Writing Groups: Ideas for Feedback.”)

3) Lay the groundwork carefully. Have a group discussion about each writer’s goals, and what each would like to see addressed in critiques. Develop an agreement – even a written agreement – about how critiques should be presented, and go over these ideas with new members as they join the group. If you’re a new member, ask about how critiques are handled in the group so you’re aware of expectations.

Groups with a solid foundation offer a valuable experience for all writer-members. If you’re in a writing group, how did you come to an understanding about critiques within your group? Do you have an informal understanding, or a written set of guidelines? (Please click “Read more” below and leave a comment.)

Writing Groups: Handling Negative Feedback

June 3, 2011 Creative writing, Uncategorized, Writing 4 comments
Just a few journals

Just a few journals - M E Powell

A writing group can help us grow as writers, and feedback sessions help us polish our writing to send out to markets. But not all feedback sessions are equal.

When a work needs serious revision, we want to be told by our writing group members – but in an honest and respectful manner. That doesn’t always happen in a feedback session. I’ve been attending writing classes and groups since the mid-1990s. Sometimes, even when you have strong ties to other group members, you may receive a critique that hurts. It happens. Most of us wear our hearts on our page, so to speak, and it can hurt when someone doesn’t understand – or like – our work.

We also tend to hear the negatives more than the positives. For me, learning to deal with critiques has a steep learning curve. Some 20 years ago, as a result of an offhand remark in a class – “It’s more of a character sketch than a story” – I put one of my stories in a box in the basement. Ten years later, I took it out, dusted it off, and sent it to an editor who offered feedback. The editor loved it and decided to publish it. Lesson learned: if I don’t believe in my writing, who will?

I’ve given and taken poorly handled critiques, and I’d like to talk about some ways I’ve learned to deal with it – although I’m still learning through trial and error, after almost 20 years.

1) Say thank-you. Being defensive only makes you look bad. Put the critique away for a while, and look at it next month. Search for one thing in it that might help the work. And conjure a mental garbage can for the rest.

2) Try not to take it personally. The critique is directed at the page, not at your heart – although it sometimes doesn’t feel like that. Consider the source: maybe the critique-giver had a bad week, or maybe they have another agenda. For example, do they consider themselves rivals in your genre or style? If this might be true, see Step 1 again.

3) Talk to someone about how you feel. Try another group member, the group leader, or a trusted friend. Recently, after a rough session, I considered leaving a group. Instead, after I calmed down, I contacted another group member, although I didn’t know her very well, and discovered she felt the same way. We were able to initiate a discussion in the group, and that helped clear the air.

Above all, don’t give up on yourself. Writing is a craft as well as an art, and it takes time to learn. If a group isn’t working for you and your writing, and you are being held back by the attitudes or critiques you’re getting, it may be time to leave that group and seek another.

Have you had a negative feedback experience? Please leave a comment (click “Read more” below for the comment box).

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