5 Ways to Get Feedback on Your Writing
So you’ve drafted some pages. Maybe you have a complete draft of a memoir, or you finally cranked out that essay that’d been simmering in the back of your mind for the past year.
Now what?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve reread your words so many times they barely make sense anymore. Your prose might be gorgeous, or utter garbage, and as much as you thought you knew about “good” writing, you honestly can’t tell which. I hit this wall often. It’s a place where obsession takes over, making us want to tear up the pages or tear out our hair. It’s a place where our inner critics take the mic and won’t shut up.
Whenever I get there, I look at an index card I keep on my writing desk, which reads: “Fresh Eyes.” These words remind me that drafting is a solitary activity, but revision doesn’t have to be. They remind me I need a new set of eyes on my work.
Why do fresh eyes matter?
● Fresh eyes offer fresh perspective. Sometimes we’re so close to our work it’s impossible to look at it objectively. Once we’ve read a draft 3 or 4 or 40 times, we’ve probably nearly committed our sentences to memory. This can desensitize us to moments when the prose falls flat or the plot doesn’t make sense. An outside reader doesn’t know what you meant to say in that sentence, and they don’t fill in gaps in time and logic the way we do when we know our own stories. They have all the beautiful freshness of the readers we hope will encounter our published work and are able to evaluate the writing accordingly.
● We get insight into what’s working. We are our own toughest critics, and it’s often difficult to know where our writing sings, a scene comes to life, or the voice sizzles. Outside readers can quickly identify what moments engaged them most. Learning when our writing is spot-on is just as useful as knowing when it’s off.
● New eyes mean new possibilities. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut of telling a story in one particular way, without considering fresh approaches. There’s nothing like an outsider to help shake things up. Maybe a reader notices a recurring theme or image we’d never picked on in our own writing. Or they suggest a shift in style: What if this were written in second person? Present tense versus past? Outside readers allow us to imagine exciting new directions for our work.
What are the best ways to get feedback?
1. Send it to a friend.
Pros: This is a great option if you’d like a quick gut check before submitting a piece. Friends tend to offer speedy feedback (they like you, after all!) and may give you the final push you need before sending out your work. Friends can also help you gauge how a non-writer will encounter your story. And it’s free!
Cons: Your friend may be a wonderful, intelligent person, but that doesn’t mean they know good writing. Friends also come with bias; they already adore you and may be hesitant to deliver honest feedback.
2. Share it with a writer.
Pros: A fellow writer will likely offer more detailed, in-depth critique than a friend. They will also be well-versed in writerly vocabulary (i.e. point of view, narration, imagery, etc.), which is a plus. Writers often exchange work with each other; I regularly swap drafts with a writer I met at a residency.
Cons: The best writers aren’t necessarily the best at providing feedback. Writing and editing are different skill sets, and not everyone has both. While a writer may articulate what’s working or not working for them in a draft, they may not offer actionable solutions like a professional editor could.
3. Join a writing group.
Pros: Writing groups offer a “hive mind” approach, giving you multiple perspectives and sets of feedback. Identifying trends in the group’s feedback can be extremely useful in developing a revision plan. An “n-of-one” suggestion holds different weight than five people all experiencing the same issue in your writing.
Cons: Writing groups are a commitment. Most involve giving written feedback to others, which requires time and energy. Also, while getting multiple perspectives on your writing may be helpful, it can also be overwhelming.
4. Workshop it in a writing class.
Pros: Classes provide a supportive, structured environment to critique your work. Like a writing group, a class allows you multiple, diverse perspectives on your drafts. Many instructors also have a wealth of experience to draw on in giving you feedback.
Cons: It can be time-consuming to give feedback to other writers.
5. Hire a developmental editor.
Pros: If you’re looking for in-depth, action-oriented feedback for improving drafts, a developmental editor is often your best bet. Developmental editors are experts in not only identifying issues in writing, but offering concrete solutions to fix them. A good editor understands big-picture problems, from character development, to structural choices, to voice, and will help you develop a revision plan moving forward.
Cons: Developmental editing can be expensive. Be sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck by researching the editor ahead of time. Check out the editor’s testimonials and ask questions about their process and what you can expect to receive for feedback. Some may even offer sample edits or free consultations so you can determine if they’re a good fit before making a big financial commitment.
Final Thoughts
Deciding who to send your writing to all depends on your goals, and how much you can afford to invest in feedback. Trust yourself. You are the best judge of who and what you need to push your work to the next level.
Just remember: you don’t have to do this alone. Revision can be a beautifully collaborative process. If you find yourself banging your head against a wall, at a loss at where to go from here, it’s probably time to find an outside reader. Fresh eyes help make your writing the best it can be. Receiving and implementing feedback gives you the confidence to hit “submit” and release your work to the powers that be.