I'd like to start by saying that as a new writer I love feedback - positive, negative, ambivalent. All of it, and I am very appreciative of anyone who takes the time to comment on my work - not just on here but in my writing group and elsewhere. Now for my question. Does anyone have any tips on how to decide which feedback to respond to? I'm not talking about the correction of grammar etc as obviously this should be changed, and my grammar is not what it used to be. But more the feedback about the style, pace, tone of your writing? Writing is such a subjective thing and I know what one person loves another person will hate, and others will simply not have a feeling about one way or another. And the old adage you can't please all of the people all of the time is no better demonstrated than when asking for feedback on the baring of your soul (that's how I feel about writing anyway). But how do others decide which feedback to listen to when it's contradictory? I'm lucky to have had some very positive feedback and also some very helpful constructive feedback too, as well as some that's just been plain rude (not from anyone on here I hasten to add) but I've got a fairly thick skin and even the rude ones have made me think. And I have no doubt it's helped me to improve my writing significantly. But what if the feedback starts to change your writing style? And you're not sure whether this is a good or bad thing? I feel so close to my work, even after a few weeks of not looking at it, that I just can't see which is better - the before or the after?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
Excuse me: but I've been misinterpreted in the past so let me make clear an ambiguity: I didn't mean that Clare should post this question so that people could read my fantastic advice, although on re-reading my comment it might sound like that. I meant that it's an excellent topic for this forum and I look forward to reading others' contributions.
There's an ambiguity in Clare's OP that I want to comment on: Which advice to respond to? In the sense of "by changing your work", I've already replied. In the sense of "replying to their comment", all of them. People have put thought and effort into reading and commenting on your writing. It is only good manners to thank them for that effort, whether or not you agree with them.
Apologies to Kashaf for misspelling her name. The work that I referred to is Shadows Far Away. WELL worth searching for!
Hi, Clare!
For the sake of open discussion on this EXCELLENT question, I start by repeating some of what I wrote you via e-mail:
Your literary voice is unique. In the end it's YOU who has to find it.
Criticism and suggestions can help you tune that voice. But if someone insists that you should sing B# when you KNOW that B flat is what your composition is crying out for, then ignore the advice - however well-meant.
One of the best examples on this site that I can think of is Kashif Noor's shared work ____. (The title slips my mind, but it's the first work that she shared here. Shadows ___?) She was only 14 when she wrote it and an 18yo gave her a lot of well-meaning theory gleaned from A-level English Lit, which - if Kashif had used to change her story - would (in my opinion) have ruined it.
So to your e-mail reply: But what if you're not SURE if B# or B flat is better? You can try both out on several readers. You can read it aloud into a recording device and listen to it yourself (or ask someone to read it aloud to you). In the end - as I've written - it's your call.
All the above is applicable to any writer - which is why I encouraged you to go ahead and post this Q. In your particular case, I add that - having read your shared work - I have faith in your finding your voice. You have talent. Listen to your INNER voice. Listen to advice... But don't take ALL of it.