How to Receive Honest Feedback on Your Writing

After pouring your heart onto a page, it can be gut-wrenching to receive criticism on your writing. For this reason alone, many writers avoid asking for feedback. I was one of these writers. The fear of criticism forced me into a place where I only limited my creative output and growth as a writer. However, when I decided to swallow my pride and start asking for (and implementing) constructive feedback, I became a better writer. When I first started asking others for feedback, I would ask a question like, “What did you think about my article?” Then I would get responses like, “Very informative!” or “It was great, made me laugh.” While their feedback made me smile, it didn’t point out any areas of improvement. It was just positive feedback for the most part. Then I realised why: People generally restrain from giving you honest advice because they’re afraid of hurting your feelings. Some people don’t know how to give feedback, or the type of feedback you’re looking for. People will only give you honest advice if you allow them to. Asking the right questions gives them this permission. Asking people more specific questions not only guides them to give you useful feedback, but also forces them to spill the beans about what they really think about your writing. The Right Questions to Ask The best questions are those that address your concerns about your writing. Are you worried it was difficult to understand? Do you have concerns about the structure? If yes, ask exactly that. Some examples: Was it easy to understand? Did you get bored at any point? What did you think about the introduction? Did you spot any grammatical errors? What else can I improve on? Criticism is good for you. Remember, you want to improve your writing. Once you have gathered the feedback, feel free to ask what parts of your writing blew them away. When receiving feedback, you must learn to detach yourself from the feedback and not take it personally. Some points to consider: Avoid immediate reactions and don’t try to justify your work. Just listen. Seek constructive criticism (which is actionable and specific) and don’t stand for destructive criticism (which is useless and only tears you down). Remember that feedback offers a reflection of your work, not a reflection of you as a person. Be open to new ideas. Reflect on the feedback. If you agree with it, implement it. If not, don’t. It’s your show. In my opinion, you can pretty much ask anyone with a good understanding of the English language for feedback on your writing. Most people that will read your writing are not professional writers, but everyday people who are looking to be entertained, informed, or inspired. You can also seek professional advice on your writing. For example, professional writers or editors, or an online workshop that offers one-to-one tutoring and feedback. However, be wary of overpriced services. Some people are only interested in how much they can charge you. I personally haven’t paid for any professional writing or editing services to improve my writing. However, I would consider it when writing a more lengthy piece like a book or a collection of short stories. Feedback is the fuel that drives writers forward. If what you write isn’t critiqued, you fall into the risk of repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Criticism isn’t just about highlighting faults. It involves someone analysing both positive and negative aspects of your work. When you view it this way, it becomes less demoralising. Embrace criticism and see it as an avenue for growth, not just in writing but in every area of your life.