LoneQuack
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2024
- Messages
- 120
- Points
- 43
Okay, this might upset some of you, but here’s the truth: most people suck at giving feedback. Out of 100 people, you’ll be lucky if even 10 are worth considering.
You might expect fellow new authors to give you better advice than a random friend, right? Well, sorry to break it to you, but that's one of the worst things you can do.
When you're in the early stages of your writing journey—whether you're doing it as a profession or a hobby—your focus is on your own writing. There’s a lot to figure out: writing consistently, finding your voice, developing your story, world-building, themes, characters—the list goes on.
Now, what happens when you ask someone still figuring all this out? They give you 'advice' based on their own research and work, which is natural. But here’s the question: Is your work their work? Do you have the same voice, style, or way of thinking?
No, you don’t.
This well-meaning advice can actually harm you because it’s tailored to their needs, not yours. If your writing foundation is shaky, you’ll never be able to write what you truly want.
The best kind of feedback is no feedback.
So, what’s the solution? First, stop asking random people online. Critique your own work. Give yourself some time to clear your mind, then read what you’ve written. Do you like it? Is something bothering you? Maybe you intended to go in one direction but ended up somewhere else (a struggle I know all too well, leading me to delete parts and rewrite them).
Of course, you can’t rely solely on your own thoughts. You’re biased towards your own work—sometimes too harsh, sometimes too lenient. You can’t be completely objective.
Try seeking 'professional' advice. No, I’m not saying you need to pay a critic or a beta reader (though if you have the money and want to, that’s a viable option). Instead, find people who can genuinely help you improve and guide you down your own path. What I did was ask my old professors and tutors for advice, and it was 100 times more valuable than anything I found online. They know how to give constructive advice and guide you through your mistakes. It’s literally their job as teachers, and they were more than happy to help me.
In the end, writing is a deeply personal journey, and while feedback can be valuable, it's crucial to be selective about where you get it. Not all advice will serve you, and sometimes, trusting your own instincts and seeking guidance from those with experience is the best way to grow. Remember, your voice is unique, and the path you carve out as a writer should reflect that. So, be thoughtful about the feedback you accept, and always prioritize what resonates with you. Writing is an evolving process, and the more you trust yourself, the more authentic your work will be.
Oh, and lastly something more personal and a less constricted tone: Fuck every single one of you that take advantage of people asking for feedback only for you to shit on their work. Don't pretend you want to give feedback when you are only interested in lashing out your emotional and psychological problems on other people. (Haven't explored this site very much but I've seen some crazy shit out there and couldn't help it as I was on the subject, fell free to ignore the last one.)
You might expect fellow new authors to give you better advice than a random friend, right? Well, sorry to break it to you, but that's one of the worst things you can do.
When you're in the early stages of your writing journey—whether you're doing it as a profession or a hobby—your focus is on your own writing. There’s a lot to figure out: writing consistently, finding your voice, developing your story, world-building, themes, characters—the list goes on.
Now, what happens when you ask someone still figuring all this out? They give you 'advice' based on their own research and work, which is natural. But here’s the question: Is your work their work? Do you have the same voice, style, or way of thinking?
No, you don’t.
This well-meaning advice can actually harm you because it’s tailored to their needs, not yours. If your writing foundation is shaky, you’ll never be able to write what you truly want.
The best kind of feedback is no feedback.
So, what’s the solution? First, stop asking random people online. Critique your own work. Give yourself some time to clear your mind, then read what you’ve written. Do you like it? Is something bothering you? Maybe you intended to go in one direction but ended up somewhere else (a struggle I know all too well, leading me to delete parts and rewrite them).
Of course, you can’t rely solely on your own thoughts. You’re biased towards your own work—sometimes too harsh, sometimes too lenient. You can’t be completely objective.
Try seeking 'professional' advice. No, I’m not saying you need to pay a critic or a beta reader (though if you have the money and want to, that’s a viable option). Instead, find people who can genuinely help you improve and guide you down your own path. What I did was ask my old professors and tutors for advice, and it was 100 times more valuable than anything I found online. They know how to give constructive advice and guide you through your mistakes. It’s literally their job as teachers, and they were more than happy to help me.
In the end, writing is a deeply personal journey, and while feedback can be valuable, it's crucial to be selective about where you get it. Not all advice will serve you, and sometimes, trusting your own instincts and seeking guidance from those with experience is the best way to grow. Remember, your voice is unique, and the path you carve out as a writer should reflect that. So, be thoughtful about the feedback you accept, and always prioritize what resonates with you. Writing is an evolving process, and the more you trust yourself, the more authentic your work will be.
Oh, and lastly something more personal and a less constricted tone: Fuck every single one of you that take advantage of people asking for feedback only for you to shit on their work. Don't pretend you want to give feedback when you are only interested in lashing out your emotional and psychological problems on other people. (Haven't explored this site very much but I've seen some crazy shit out there and couldn't help it as I was on the subject, fell free to ignore the last one.)
idk
