Give and Ye Shall Receive

Now that the finalists for our latest contest have been announced and our 2021 Holiday Anthology is available, our reading period is in full swing. It’s the most wonderful time of the year - our contest cycle, as the case may be! For the next few days, the Bardsy community will come together to enjoy the finalists’ stories and share their thoughts by exchanging kind, constructive feedback.

Wholly appropriate to our theme for the anthology: “An Exchange of Gifts”, here’s why you should participate in the feedback cycle, regardless of whether you entered or placed in this contest.

One of our subscribers said it best: “In a writer community, I see it as give-and-take. If I were to seek feedback without [expecting] to offer the same, I would expect to pay for the service instead.”

That's right, Virginia. In a community like ours, constructive critiques work best as exchanges, rather than being one-sided.

In our latest poll, we asked members whether feedback should be reciprocal. Unsurprisingly, here’s how they responded.

For those seeking feedback on their work, do you also give feedback to others?

Yes, I also give feedback: 79%

I’m not seeking feedback: 12%

No, I'm only looking to receive feedback: 9%

It would be impossible to achieve your writerly best without feedback. How else would you know how your work resonates with others (unless you are, of course, just writing for yourself), and what you can improve upon?

If you didn't quite make our contest's finalist list, this is your next step. You’ve heard the adage, “It is better to give than to receive.” Let’s change that up a bit. It is just as valuable to give as to receive, if you do it right. The very act of evaluating a story, of thinking about and articulating what’s working well and what isn’t, nurtures your own writing skills too.

When we discuss stories, we open ourselves up to a variety of perspectives… That is one of the greatest gifts of storytelling.
— from our Story Talk course

How? If you train your critical eye to identify the strengths and weaknesses in another writer’s work, you will internalize these lessons and utilize them in your own writing. That doesn’t negate the need for outside perspectives, but it makes you a stronger writer.

In the spirit of the season, I’ll suggest one additional benefit of story critique that transcends the physical act of putting words on paper. When we communicate our unique perspectives, and listen to those of others, we don’t just grow as creators; we grow as human beings. And that, my Bardsy friends, is a gift that keeps on giving!

How to give effective feedback

Maybe you want to offer more constructive comments, but you’re unsure what to say. Another poll respondent said they don’t critique others’ work because they “don’t know how to give feedback that's as good as the feedback [they] have received.”

First, what constitutes “good”? While there is thoughtless feedback, poorly communicated feedback, and gratuitously cruel feedback (which will get you kicked off our site lickety-split!) there is no right way to look at and discuss stories.

When I taught middle school, high school, and even university level English, so many students asked, “What are you looking for?” or “What’s the right answer?” Well, thank goodness we aren’t in school now, with the ghosts of past standardized tests nipping at our heels (but that’s a story for another day!)

The bottom line is that you are entitled to interpret and respond to any story exactly as you wish. Just be thoughtful, and back up your feedback with specifics, when talking with other writers. The point is not to annihilate with witty (or not so witty) barbs, but to share and learn from each other. If you want to grandstand (you know who you are!) please go elsewhere. This is not the site for you.

In my self-paced Story Talk course, free to all members, we explore the unique and exciting dynamics between the writer and reader of any piece of literature. Let’s borrow a few handy guidelines from Story Talk that might be helpful for providing “better” feedback.

1. Capture your first impression.

You can only have a first impression once. Whether the writer pulled off a clever twist ending or left you wanting more, record your initial perception of the story as soon as you finish reading it. Rather than trying to structure your thoughts, filter them or make much sense of them, treat this like a free write.

2. Identify the five elements of storytelling.

Start looking more closely at character, world, plot, conflict and theme. Which elements work well? Which don't? Why? Then take it a step further: how do they work together? For example, think about whether you feel you know the characters well enough, and whether they fit into the chosen world. By identifying the elements, you can often pinpoint specific strengths and weaknesses within a story.

3. Be as specific as possible.

“I liked your main character.” “I wasn’t a fan of the ending.” Responses like this are not very helpful to the writer. What about the main character stood out to you? Their intriguing backstory? Their powerful motivation? Maybe the ending was unsatisfying because it left too many loose ends or tied everything up a little too neatly. Get to the heart of your reactions.

4. Above all, keep it respectful.

Critique. Don't criticize.
― Adrienne Posey

Most importantly, when sharing your thoughts, it’s important to be kind to the author and anyone else involved in the discussion. Since every story has its own strengths, start by letting the author know what you appreciated.

Especially if you’ve never given writing feedback before, I encourage you to check out my Story Talk course for a comprehensive guide to creating the kind of critique you would be thankful to receive.

Additionally, in the new year we will debut a new Publish-ability Index, aka rubric, that will further enhance your ability to provide effective feedback, by outlining exactly what to look for. Stay tuned!

Finally, just in case you needed one more reason to participate in our reading period, we take your comments into consideration when selecting a winner. Where else can you have a say in the big decision?

I hope you enjoy the finalists’ stories as much as we have. The winner of our Holiday Anthology contest will be announced on or about 12/27.

Try this: Write a few lines about two characters who meet while voicing their (very different) opinions on a holiday light display.

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Give and Ye Shall Receive

Feedback is the breakfast of champions. – Ken Blanchard

For those seeking feedback on their work, do you also give feedback to others?

When we discuss stories, we open ourselves up to a variety of perspectives… That is one of the greatest gifts of storytelling. — from our Story Talk course ​

Critique. Don't criticize. ― Adrienne Posey

Feedback is the breakfast of champions.
– Ken Blanchard

When we discuss stories, we open ourselves up to a variety of perspectives… That is one of the greatest gifts of storytelling.
— from our Story Talk course

Critique. Don't criticize.
― Adrienne Posey