#MomsWritersClub 5/14 Q3: how do you go about giving feedback to other writers? #amwriting #momwriters #parentwriters #writingcommunity #momswhowrite - ThreadSky

thegallowcat.bsky.social • 13 days ago

#MomsWritersClub 5/14 Q3: how do you go about giving feedback to other writers?
#amwriting #momwriters #parentwriters #writingcommunity #momswhowrite

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thegallowcat.bsky.social•13 days ago

I was trained by college and MFA workshops so I tend to get stuck in the "here's what's working, here's what's not" kind of feedback, but I'm trying to be better about looking at multiple paths a writer might want to take and give multiple suggestions based on that.

tracygrant.bsky.social•13 days ago

Multiple paths is a great way to frame advice!

rachelkhjones.bsky.social•13 days ago

Sandwich approach and a kid review from my kids if it’s a PB and my kids are available.

heatherwalrath.bsky.social•13 days ago

I try to be constructive and supportive. No matter what stage we're at as writers, we all have room for growth and improvement. I had several points at which I wanted to give up, but thanks to others' support and kindness, I'm still going. I try to be that same voice for others. #MomsWritersClub

tracygrant.bsky.social•13 days ago

Being constructive is key.

rebeccaminelga.com•13 days ago

I love this! I always worry something I say might land wrong and devastate someone, so I try to be so gentle. I’d hate to ever be the person who made someone else quit, but I’d love to be the person who encouraged them when they thought about it.

heatherwalrath.bsky.social•13 days ago

I can definitely relate to that feeling! I think so much depends upon the delivery and way things are communicated.

chloemarcus.bsky.social•13 days ago

I try to do detailed critique for the first 3 chapters and get a sense for some of the big issues. Then I try to focus on a handful of main issues they could address to improve their next draft and of course ensure i give reinforcement of what they do well.

rebeccaminelga.com•13 days ago

This is really interesting, the focus on the first 3 chapters. I try to take the story as a whole but often feel like I can identify a problem but not a solution.

chloemarcus.bsky.social•13 days ago

Ideally i like to reread that tricky first chapter too after i finish the whole thing

rebeccaminelga.com•13 days ago

That’s super smart!

chloemarcus.bsky.social•13 days ago

Hows your STEAM bot battle book doing? Been a long time since i betad it

rebeccaminelga.com•13 days ago

I have some nibbles from some small presses and a couple fulls still out, but nothing, yet. I did a huge rewrite from Oct-Feb, but didn’t requery widely. Not sure what its future will be right now, but still hopeful. It has been my most successful queried book so far with almost 15% request rate!

juliahj.bsky.social•12 days ago

I like to repeat back what I see happening in the story - point out areas that really resonated with me and then ask open ended questions about the work (ie “is this the central theme?”) #momswritersclub

apleewrites.bsky.social•13 days ago

I was taught the "sandwich" method. State 1 thing you think needs improvement in between 2 things you like about the work. It isn't always applicable, however. Regardless, I always start with something that's working. #momswritersclub #amquerying #amwriting #writingcommunity

tracygrant.bsky.social•13 days ago

M: I ask them what they need help with and try to do my best. T: I try to focus on what they are trying to accomplish with the story not what I would do if it were my story. #momswritersclub

heatherwalrath.bsky.social•13 days ago

That's an excellent point, Tracy!

tracygrant.bsky.social•13 days ago

It can be so hard to see the story the author is writing and not how you'd tell it yourself.

rebeccaminelga.com•13 days ago

T, that’s so important! Too often I think betas see the book through their own vision instead of the writer’s.

tracygrant.bsky.social•13 days ago

Yes, it can be really hard to see a story through the author's lens instead of your own.

rebeccaminelga.com•13 days ago

I tend to notice the things I’m not good at, which I hope results in empathy for the struggle of editing. I also hate written feedback (unless it’s quick comments in the margins) because it’s so easy to take it wrong. I try to set up a zoom with 2-3 things I noticed and a suggestion for fixing them.

thegallowcat.bsky.social•13 days ago

I know some people leave voice notes rather than written! I'm much too distractable for that though!

ariella-monti.bsky.social•13 days ago

#MomsWritersClub A3

I definitely make sure I’m boosting things I like with fun, unhinged comments.

I try to provide my reasoning with my feedback because understanding why a change should be made is where long term growth happens.

thegallowcat.bsky.social•13 days ago

I've had to pull myself back from leaving unhinged comments on my students' work 😂

ariella-monti.bsky.social•13 days ago

You are far more professional than I could ever be 😂

mirandaltrim.bsky.social•13 days ago

It depends on the kind of feedback they're looking for, but always compassionate and honest. I like doing a combo of emojis to show emotional impact, comments in line, and a letter. I also like to do a Zoom afterward to talk about all the things (which usually consists of a fair amount of gushing).

thegallowcat.bsky.social•13 days ago

Getting that face to face is a great way to get across all the nuance of your feedback!

mirandaltrim.bsky.social•13 days ago

So true. And it helps to see how excited someone is about your story, especially if a major issue was found. I think it's also great for on-the-spot brainstorming.

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