Wonderful discussion of feedback. I think it's important to learn how to be a discerning receiver (and giver) of feedback. I'm careful who I ask for feedback. I look for "book group" feedback from a small group of literate friends, but also seek out "professional" feedback from writers, which tends to be of a more technical nature. And then I look for recurring themes. In my case I kept getting feedback that my antagonist wasn't working. If everyone is telling you the same thing, believe them.
Excited about Daphne Kalotay's new book in April, and really wish I could find a class with Margot Livesay (like the rest of the writing world I imagine), whose comment about setting and murky details in the beginning really resonated and I think really has helped me approach a current problem (if only for the lovely company!). This was great. Now I have to catch up on more.
Wonderful discussion of feedback. I think it's important to learn how to be a discerning receiver (and giver) of feedback. I'm careful who I ask for feedback. I look for "book group" feedback from a small group of literate friends, but also seek out "professional" feedback from writers, which tends to be of a more technical nature. And then I look for recurring themes. In my case I kept getting feedback that my antagonist wasn't working. If everyone is telling you the same thing, believe them.
Sounds like great practice, Stephen!
Excited about Daphne Kalotay's new book in April, and really wish I could find a class with Margot Livesay (like the rest of the writing world I imagine), whose comment about setting and murky details in the beginning really resonated and I think really has helped me approach a current problem (if only for the lovely company!). This was great. Now I have to catch up on more.
Great! Yes, her new book is WONDERFUL, and Margot is a star teacher. So glad you found this helpful!