Winning Revisions: Making Writing Feedback Work for You

There's no denying that revision is the key to great writing, and to revise successfully—make this iteration better than the last—you need feedback. So, you correctly seek beta readers, workshops, forums, and more. What you find can vary from good to less helpful and sometimes cruel. From there, it’s up to you to make the most of it.

Our standard for writing feedback, whether in a directed writing group or as part of our anthology contests, is to be both kind and constructive. But even when delivered with the utmost respect and purest of intentions, critique can prompt the all-too-human urge to fight or flee, which inevitably undercuts its utility.

Here are some things to keep in mind to help you make the most of any writing feedback you receive.

Your work is being critiqued, not you

This first one is the hardest, especially for new writers. Writing is the most intimate of all crafts; we pour ourselves into every word. It’s the rare human who can let go of something they care so much about.

To create a little bit of healthy distance, try these two things. First, acknowledge your ego, because no matter how often we say it, there's truly no such thing as "leaving ego at the door." Since we can't get rid of it, acknowledge it, and know that it's okay to admit you care; you wouldn’t write if you didn’t.

Second, don't speak! Instead, focus on your breath, taking as many as needed while someone dissects your masterpiece. Soon you’ll reach a point of relative equanimity, at which point you should take careful notes.

Notes doesn’t mean doodling skulls and daggers, either; let the feedback wash over you as you write everything down for later. In directed writing groups, we’ve noticed writers receive great value from their peers' spontaneous comments, as discussed below, and you don’t want to miss any.

This practice delays your reaction and helps separate you, the author, from the work. Every bit of perspective multiplies the value of the feedback you receive. Equanimity also goes a long way in ensuring the group’s success, bringing us to principle two.

Defensiveness is a roadblock to communication, and sometimes when we defend our little baby (our manuscript) too much, we inadvertently silence the person from providing potentially valuable feedback.

— Joanne Brothwell

Be appreciative

Feedback means someone took the time to read your work, satisfying your main goal as a writer. They’ve thought about what can be improved and offered an opinion. Kind, constructive feedback is a gift, and we writers need to treat it as such.

Generally, writing feedback falls into two categories: line editing and developmental. Bardsy's Anthology Contest and Directed Writing Group feedback falls into the latter. Contest feedback, presented as a Publishability Index™ report, digs into stories element by element and then looks at how well they work in combination. This comprehensive, developmental approach ensures high-quality feedback.

Past a sincere thank you, the best way to show your appreciation is to deliver high-quality feedback in return. The most satisfying and successful workshops grow out of this exchange of gifts. On the flip side, nothing destroys a workshop, or any relationship, faster than violating rule one. No one will provide their honest thoughts in the face of dismissal or, worse, argument.

This is not to say you should stand for destructive critique; it's a pathology of certain insecure writers and forbidden in our groups. Still, follow the rules: don't argue, and say "thank you" before you walk away.

Take your time

Our editors are always chagrined when they provide extensive feedback to an anthology contest entrant who completes their revisions within a matter of hours. While eagerness is admirable, successful revision takes time.

Developmental feedback can't be addressed quickly. For example, we often see an underdeveloped (or missing) inciting incident. Solving this problem requires examining the whole work, particularly the end, the theme and conflict. Then the author has to trace backward in order to construct a strong start; it’s not something anyone can drop in and call it a day.

Give yourself time to digest the feedback. Go over your notes after careful reading or listening, jotting thoughts as you do, and then let it sit. Your mind will prioritize what needs attention and find solutions. The dense feedback we provide can feel overwhelming, but by giving yourself space, it becomes manageable, especially as it promotes a better understanding of your story.

When you’re ready to start revising, make a plan. Give yourself the freedom to try a few different approaches. Focus on the bigger challenges first, and then dive back into the details. Unless your piece is perfect—and none are—you shouldn't do everything in one sitting.

Use your judgment

You should remember that you don't have to make a change for every comment. Ultimately, writing and its critique are subjective; in other words, all feedback is opinion. However, you shouldn't lean on that fact to avoid what needs to be done.

You’re the author, and you’re in charge. On the other hand, you're also responsible. While we, and other kind, constructive providers, make our best recommendations for revision, we don’t expect you to be a lemming. It’s up to you to decide which revisions resonate and are worth making.

At the same time, while you shouldn't be a lemming, every legitimate comment calls for serious consideration. If, for example, just one person—God forbid—says the dialogue feels stilted, there’s a good chance others will feel the same way. At the very least, reexamine how your characters speak.

Thoughtfully weigh what was said, then act. This goes double if you have multiple sources. Though our Publishability Index™ provides a comprehensive report, it's fine to get a second opinion. Find readers who are committed to the same comprehensive, developmental approach.

[R]emember, this is your work, your vision. You don’t need to change everything…

— Dionne McCulloch

Productively discuss

In an ideal setting, the conversation about any work never ends. When we provide feedback, there's an opportunity for you to speak to your editor. You can ask questions or seek clarification so long as you stick to the guidelines listed above.

The same goes for workshop participants. We've lost count of how many times we’ve had someone in our workshops ask a question and stumble upon an “aha!” moment. Of course, you can’t monopolize the group’s time. But if you have a specific, purposeful question, ask away! We’re here to make your revision process as successful as possible.

Looking for feedback? Everyone who enters our First Chapter Anthology Contest will receive kind, constructive feedback in the form of a Publishability Index™ report. Click here to learn more.

TO DO SCRATCHPAD PRIVATE JOURNAL TRACKING Update Assessment

CLICK A TAB TO USE WILL.POWER

TO DO LIST:
Add tasks to your sortable list, then revel in checking them off.

SCRATCHPAD:
Cache your gems as they fall in this always accessible place.

PRIVATE JOURNAL:
Reflect on your process — good, bad and ugly — in your dated diary.

TRACKING:
Measure your progress with key writing metrics, automatically,

ADD DO

Show Dones

ADD ENTRY

Metric:

Words

Minutes

ADD

Click anywhere to close / cancel

Winning Revisions: Making Writing Feedback Work for You

Defensiveness is a roadblock to communication, and sometimes when we defend our little baby (our manuscript) too much, we inadvertently silence the person from providing potentially valuable feedback. — Joanne Brothwell

[R]emember, this is your work, your vision. You don’t need to change everything… — Dionne McCulloch

Defensiveness is a roadblock to communication, and sometimes when we defend our little baby (our manuscript) too much, we inadvertently silence the person from providing potentially valuable feedback.

— Joanne Brothwell

[R]emember, this is your work, your vision. You don’t need to change everything…

— Dionne McCulloch