Creative Work Feedback Guide
Have you ever received feedback or critique on your writing that was unhelpful or discouraged you from moving forward with the project? In the dozens of writing workshops I’ve been a part of, I’ve noticed some common characteristics of unhelpful feedback. Often, the intention of the individual offering feedback seems to be to prove their own knowledge or expertise, their red pen jabbing at every typo and verb tense discrepancy while completely overlooking any strengths. It’s also unhelpful when the editor zeroes in on the life details so vulnerably shared in the piece, offering unsolicited parenting advice or minimizing the writer’s lived experience. Finally, sometimes the editor has strong aesthetic preferences for a particular style of writing that is out of sync with what the author of the piece is trying to accomplish. These dynamics can slow a writer down, bruising their ego and adding fuel to their own inner critic.
This guide will support you in asking for and offering critique that builds trust between writing partners and builds momentum in your own writing process. As mothers, so much of our efforts go unseen and unappreciated. The work of parenting is both urgent and constant. Every day we are being asked to set aside our wants and needs to care for others in our life, so of course we want someone to come alongside us in the similarly unseen act of writing. Let’s look at how friendly feedback from a trusted writing partner can nurture and support all points in the writing process.
Story Seeds
Friendly feedback begins with deep listening. Have you noticed how often our written stories spring forth from meaningful, deep conversation with those we love. Within the writing community, we can listen to one another’s stories for what they are... and also what they can be.
Phrases to capture an essay in the making:
"You should totally write about that."
"I think there’s an essay hiding in there."
"Get those details down in your journal so you’ll have them when you’re ready to process."
Mid-Draft Feedback
We’ve all found our initial inspiration stalling out mid-draft. If it doesn’t return in a day or two, or if you’re wondering whether the idea “has legs,” asking a writing partner for feedback can be a great way to find momentum with your writing again.
Phrases to request mid-draft feedback:
“Would you be willing to highlight parts of the essay that need more detail or explanation?”
“Could you identify sections that distract or slow down the story?”
“Can you note elements of this essay that delight you or that you relate to?”
If you’re offering feedback on an unfinished, just-begun essay, remember that it’s not your job to “solve” the writer’s problems. You’re offering real-time responses to ignite their enthusiasm for the piece once more.
Phrases to encourage a writer mid-draft:
“Tell me more about this specific part.”
“Can you put this in scene? I want to be in this moment with you and see it unfold.”
“Can you be more specific here?”
“I’m getting a little lost in the details here. It might work better as a summary.”
“This part feels like it wants to be an essay of its own. Consider pulling these sections out and putting them into another document.”
“I feel this in my soul! You captured this perfectly!”
Revision Versus Editing
Do you need someone’s overall take on the essay, or a fine-toothed comb? Writers should know what kind of feedback they want before requesting someone’s time and attention.
Phrases to request revision or editing on a finished essay:
“I’d love your "heart/gut" feedback on this piece.”
“Will you highlight one section that seems strong and one section that seems weak in this essay with a few words on why?”
“I’m ready to send this out, but I’d love one more set of eyes on it to catch any copyediting mistakes I may have missed.”
Phrases when giving feedback on a finished essay:
“Heart/Gut” Feedback: Quote their own words back to them as a way of identifying the heart of the story and give a few words on how it made you feel.
Say: “I was in this moment with you!” OR “I feel like you were holding the reader at a distance here.” OR “I’m not quite sure what you’re referring to here. Are you sure you’re ready to write about this difficult/complicated/traumatic experience?”
“I found a few errors, but it’s a strong piece. I’m so excited that you’re sharing this essay with the world.”
“I found a few errors, but I’m not sure you’ve developed the ideas in this essay enough for the average reader to understand this really important moment in your life.”
Finding Your Match
Starting and maintaining a healthy writing relationship takes a little bravery to begin, and plenty of effort to maintain. Realistically, most writers can only maintain 1-2 writing partnerships simultaneously. Being in a well-matched writing partnership means it is mutually beneficial, not a teacher-student relationship. If you can’t find the right partner, consider enrolling in a workshop through the Creative Marketplace or seeking out paid coaching and editing services to give your writing the boost it needs! Finally, as writers, especially as mother-writers, we MUST protect our time an energy. It can be so tempting to pour into other writer’s work and help them along, but ultimately, if we’ve been given a story to steward, we’re responsible to that work first.
Tips for requesting a writing partnership
Choose a writer whose writing you admire and have positively responded to for at least three-months. Ideally, this writer has also read and responded to your work in the past.
Take the first step: “Hi ___! I’m wondering if you’d be willing to exchange writing regularly. I think getting more feedback on my work would keep me writing more regularly, and I’d love to cheer your writing on as well.”
Arrange a time to talk “live” on the phone or Zoom if possible to find a consensus on the kind of feedback each of you is looking for, the method for swapping work, and the frequency and amount of work to share.
Phrases for gently redirecting editing requests
“I love reading your work, but I’m not able to keep up with this level of feedback right now. I can’t wait to celebrate your work when it’s finished!”
Share resources that have encouraged or strengthened your own writing practice.
Point to Molly’s 1-1 editing package on Creative Marketplace.