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Posts tagged ‘writing feedback’

Jun 10

Two hands writing in separate notebooks on a wooden table with coffee cups, pens, and books

The art of the critique: how to receive writing feedback without losing your mind (part 2)

In Part 1 of this series, we talked about the delicate art of giving feedback. We discussed how to frame critiques so the writer stays open and curious rather than shutting down.

But what happens when the tables are turned? What happens when you are the one sitting in the hot seat?

Taking feedback is incredibly difficult. Our words and our stories are, in a way, our children. They are our creations, and we love them fiercely. Because of that emotional attachment, our immediate reaction to criticism is often to protect our work.

But if we want to grow, we have to learn how to step back, remain objective, and avoid getting tangled up in our own emotions.

Here are some essential tips for receiving feedback with grace and making the best use of it.

1. Maintain emotional distance (and remember to breathe)

When you hear a piece of feedback you don’t like, your body might react before your brain does. You might feel a sudden flush of heat, a tightening in your chest, or a wall of resistance coming up.

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Nov 9

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How to give and receive writing critiques and feedback

Giving and receiving writing critiques is an art. I’ve experienced great, good, and awful critiques from writing mentors over the years. I’ve belonged to writing critique groups off and on for over twenty years, graduated from an MFA program, been blessed to have a blogging partner, and attended writing conferences where I’ve had the opportunity to receive feedback from bestselling authors and agents.

Probably the best feedback I received (and by best I mean most useful for my growth as a writer) came from a mentor in my MFA program. Also a successful author, she had a real-life grasp of what it takes to get published and was a consummate artisan as well. What made her critiques so effective were not only the content but the style in which they were delivered. She was blunt and unmercifully honest, but never mean. She always found something positive in my writing—even if it was only a little thing, she would point it out so I would do more of these good things in the future.   Read more