At Writing Class Radio we believe giving and receiving feedback is a gift. Giving feedback helps the editor become a better writer. Getting feedback helps the narrator understand how the writing affects others.
We know feedback has the power to enhance or deflate, so as editors we have to be gentle. Always start with something positive.
The writing is NOT the writer. This is important to remember while giving and getting feedback. As editors, we do our best to comment only on the mechanics of the story and not the narrator’s life. Sometimes, however, comments step into someone’s life. Sometimes this is appropriate, for example, if the narrator is avoiding something that’s obvious to the reader but not to the narrator. What we have to remember is that personal stories are senstive, and so we tread gently. We also have to remember, while receiving feedback, that we all want what’s best for the story.
While it’s our job as editors to try not to impose our values, it’s also our job to express how the words hit us, and sometimes that means imposing our values. This is tricky because we always want the writing to be true. If the writing comes across as sexist, for example, we want the narrator to know that the writing landed that way. This kind of criticism is not meant to get the narrator to change the story, but to help the narrator be more aware. An aware narrator is always a more reliable narrator.
We are committed to making Writing Class Radio a safe place to share stories. This means we want everyone to write and share whatever comes up in the writing. This also means that what is shared in class stays in class.
GIVING FEEDBACK:
1. START WITH WHAT WORKS AND WHAT IS STRONG. Identify which parts drew you in: touched you, made you laugh, feel sad, feel empathy, etc.
2. Identify what about these parts was compelling—the voice, language, tone, style. Did the narrator successfully go to scene, did the narrator use specific details? Can you make a movie of the sentences?
3. TRY TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE STORY IS ABOUT.
4. Did you get a clear sense of the conflict/stakes?
5. Is the narrator trustworthy? Is the narrator self-knowing? Does the narrator get vulnerable?
6. Pay attention to pacing. Does the story move forward? Was it top heavy? Bottom heavy?
7. Identify those parts that are confusing, where you drifted out.
8. Identify why you were taken out—not enough details, too many details, something you didn’t need to know so much about, something that was confusing, etc.
9. Refer to the author as “the narrator.” The story is NOT the person.
10. Try not to repeat what’s already been said. Say “ditto” regarding points already made, unless the repetition would be helpful.
11. Step up/step back. If you find yourself talking a lot, please give air-time to others. If you find yourself being quiet, please push yourself to give comments. Becoming a good editor for others is the first step in becoming a good editor for yourself.
12.Once the facilitator has given feedback, the session is over.
13. It’s not relevant that this happened to you. Your feedback to the narrator shouldn’t be about you and your experience with the same situation.
GETTING FEEDBACK:
1. LET THE GROUP KNOW WHAT FEEDBACK YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. (Asking for encouragement is valid.
2. LISTEN. WRITE COMMENTS DOWN. You can refer to these notes when you are editing later.
3. KEEP QUIET. Try not to tell the class what you meant to say in the piece. If it’s not on the page, your story isn’t finished.
4. Take what is useful and leave the rest. Not all the feedback is helpful.
5. Consider the source. Does the person have similar writing goals or writing style? Do you respond to that person’s writing?
6. Silence doesn’t mean people don’t like or appreciate the work. Sometimes people need time to absorb the work.
7. PAY ATTENTION TO THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK AS MUCH AS THE NEGATIVE.
8. Try to stay open. SOMETIMES THE MOST USEFUL CRITICISM IS WHAT YOU MOST STRONGTLY REJECT AT FIRST.
9. Remember that the editors in the room ALL WANT WHAT’S BEST FOR THE STORY.
10. Remember that the criticism is about the work, not about you, the writer.
“When people tell you there’s something wrong with a story, they’re almost always right. When they tell what it is that’s wrong and how it can be fixed, they’re almost always wrong.”–Neil Gaiman
*This guide is adapted from the original by Terrie Silverman of Creative Rites.
Writing Class Radio
Writing Class Radio is a podcast of a writing class. It is for people who love stories and who get inspired by hearing other people tell their stories and who want to learn a little bit about how to write their own stories.
There's no better way to understand ourselves and each other than by writing and telling our stories.
