Different types of feedback that could help your novel
After yesterday’s looking at different styles of planning, today we turn our attention to feedback. It’s an important part of writing – seeing what other people think – and there are different ways of going about seeking and taking on board what others have to say. Here are some of the most popular, and do feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments box.
Do it yourself
Of course, if you’re shy about showing your work to others, there is always the option of showing it to no one but yourself. Try and pretend you have never seen the draft of your novel before, and imagine what you might say upon reading it for the first time. Does it hold up well? Does it work from the point of view of a potential reader?
Stick to loved ones
Getting feedback from loved ones – relatives and close friends – is always a popular option. There are two main choices here: go for those people who you think will give you a good review no matter what, or go for those you can rely to be honest no matter what they think. If you’re hoping for some constructive criticism, it’s definitely worth going for the latter.
Writers’ groups
Writers’ groups can be a particularly useful source of feedback on your work, not least because everyone there is likely to be in the same boat. You’re probably all there for the same reason: because you like writing and want to get better at it. Getting the opinion of other writers can also give you a level of constructive feedback that you’re unlikely to get from family and friends, and you’ll also get the chance to feedback on other people’s work, which is great for your own critical skills.
Online support
If the thought of face to face feedback sessions makes you a bit queasy, there are plenty of sources of support online. You could seek out forums where writers offer to critique each other’s work, or websites where you can post drafts for people to read and comment on. The web can be a really useful tool for feedback, but just be careful about keeping your work secure – don’t send it to anyone you don’t trust.
Professional feedback
You could also get some professional feedback on your work. There are plenty of professional editors out there who you could use. This isn’t always a cheap option, but in terms of the quality of feedback you’re likely to get, it can be a very good one. Just make sure you do your research first to ensure you get a quality service.
The ‘have a go’ approach
Finally, if you’re a fan of taking risks, you could always just put your work out there to see what people think. Publishing after just one draft is generally not a wise move, but online reviewers will tell you honestly what they think. Just bear in mind that publishing early just to see what people say can leave them with a particular impression of you when you come to publish your next piece of work.
What’s your favourite source of feedback?
