Asking for feedback good or bad?

[iamlielac]

Hi!

I am new here and see many forums of people asking for feedback on their novels, but I also see many that say it is annoying and a no-no. What is the general consensus or the best way to ask for feedback that isn't annoying? lol

 

[LilRora]

Two most important things: provide a link to your story, and have some self-awareness. I don't think I need to explain the link, but self-awareness is good to have because there's only so many stories one can provide feedback on that look like they were written by a grade schooler - and yes, there have been many like that here, with even basic grammatical mistakes and tens of typos in a chapter.

Once you know your story is at least decent and spell-checking apps or sites don't light it up like a Christmas tree, feel free to ask. I took at a glance at yours, it does clear those requirements (that sit though at the beginning of the first chapter, probably a typo but do keep those tenses consistent). There's not a lot of people who will give detailed feedback since it takes time and effort, but you'll likely get a few.

Ideally though, you shouldn't rely on random people's feedback since it can be heavily biased. In the long term, it's much better to find a few beta readers you can trust, most likely among your family and friends. They'll be able to give much more reliable feedback.

 

[greyblob]

do not ask for reviews. make it clear you're asking for feedback to improve as an author. welcome the feedback you get and dont get antsy when someone says somethinng you dont like


assuming we're talking about main site not forums

 

[BouncyCactus]

Having a clear idea or subject to getting feedback on often attracts more folks too, as opposed to asking a general blanket feedback. Having an idea of what needs to be worked on first also shows most folk that their feedback will be seriously considered, instead of being treated as fishing for review.

Instead of asking "How is my story?", asked, "How is my story pacing?", "How is my implementation of XYZ ideas and tropes?", or "What do you think of MC characteristics, flaws, and traits?"

 

[RepresentingPride]

You can also look into the forum. Some have created feedback threads. If they are still taking stories, you can link yours here. You had to wait a few days, maybe a week or more, but you will have a reply.

 

[Nolff]

Hi!

I am new here and see many forums of people asking for feedback on their novels, but I also see many that say it is annoying and a no-no. What is the general consensus or the best way to ask for feedback that isn't annoying? lol

Some already answered your question, so I guess I'll be an addition.

Whenever you ask for feedback, at least have 5 chapters of stuff you've already published. Some reviewers might need some more reading till they make their critiques.

Read high-quality stories that have excellent/good grammar. That way, you can decide what and which sentences should be cut or kept in a chapter and how you flow said chapter.


Importantly, learn more about english.

This is obvious, I know. But, just how many times you're sure about your POV on the story? A year ago, precisely last August, I was adept at the English language, writing or speaking. People around me often say that I'm a foreigner, because of how often I talk to myself in English. So, I wrote 9 chaps in my first series and about 15-16 chaps in the second series, confident with my language mastery.

Surprise surprise, a few months later, I looked back at my first novel and I began to feel disgusted towards em. The second series' grammar and pronunciation are okay for the most part. But the first one... Ugh.

And then here we are, in the present day. I've remade two chaps and still had a lot of problems with them. But alas, I better my grammar and now I truly feel confident whenever I speak or write in English. The only problem is the limited vocabulary I have in my brain. Gotta work that one out.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

The only way I answer posts asking for feedback are the ones where the author knows what they want to ask. A lot of users here are also authors, hence we have little time to give to others when we ourselves are also fixing and continuing our works.

Pacing, characterization, and the overall impression of the story will always depend on the bias of the one who read it, so I avoid giving feedback about those. For one, these aspects can be answered by 'beta readers', especially the ones close to the author, because they know him/her and they have an idea of how he/she wants for the story (the author's vision).

And yeah, linking the work minimizes time we would spend looking for the story. Again, turning to the first point, we have limited time...and many are lazy to look, considering that it is the author asking, not the other way around.

 

[melchi]

In my opinion it isn't a no-no. But a blanket request for anyone is probably not going to be very useful.

Say someone wants feedback on their fanfiction. They want any feedback, but the people who don't like fanfiction: Their feedback would be "This is fanfiction I don't like it."

Like how many times has someone posted their GB on sailus's feedback thread when it says in the OP that he doesn't like GB....

Anyway, the best people to get feedback from would be the people that have an interest in the fiction and choose to read it on their own. Hence why the shotgun approach is frowned upon.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

It is more how you ask than if, I think. Ask nicely, perhaps with a "focus" ("I need feedback - is this relationship feeling real or forced?" "I am having trouble with dialogue, can anyone give me pointers?" "Is this plot too complicated? Not complicated enough? Too obvious?") and you may get help.

Ask a blanket "Please give me feedback" you're shooting a high power rifle into a large pond - yeah you might get a fish or other marine animal, might get nothing, or you might ruin the gun...

 

[Avery_Line]

Which stories have you critiqued here? That's the place to start. Give a dozen crits, and learn from them. What patterns do you see? How does other's work shape your preferences? What traps did they fall into?

Use that to refine your own work. Really put in a careful effort to edit your work. Then post a few hundred words and ask for feedback on it. You'd be surprised what you learn with such a brief excerpt.