The Timing of Feedback Matters

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Feedback can be an important component of the writing process. Sometimes writers can get so wrapped-up in their stories that they can lose focus on the big picture. The big picture, of course, is whether the story works or not.

When I was starting out, I felt like I needed to gather insight on my writing while I was drafting. I’m not even sure I thought much about why that was important to me. I think I believed that it was the right thing to do. That book-in-progress critique groups would help me out along the way. Maybe I thought it would help give me weekly deadlines, too, to stay on track with writing the manuscript.

The only problem with this is that I felt a little like I was writing by committee. And the committee often had different ideas about what direction my book needed to go in.

This isn’t to say that the in-person critique group wasn’t helpful. I think they did help me with fitting in writing. They were older, more experienced writers, too, and I appreciated their thoughts. It just didn’t work well for me.

Now I work totally solo on first and second drafts. After I finish a draft and edit it, I pass it along to several beta readers. I want them to tell me everything they think is wrong with the story because it helps me improve it. By that point in the process, it’s much easier for me to tweak the book than when I’m in the middle of writing it.

After the betas get it, it then goes to my editor. I also ask her to tell me how to make the story better.

Finally, it goes to my ARC (advanced reader copy) readers. The story won’t go through major revisions at that point, but I ask for help with any typos or continuity errors.

I will add that there was once that I asked for feedback when I was stuck with a story. I’d hit a plot hole and couldn’t figure a way out of it. Discussing the story was a great way to find a way out of the mess.

For more on the subject, check out this post from writer and former literary agent Nathan Bransford. He details the two times writers should seek feedback.

As a reminder, remember that not every approach works for every writer! I’ve heard from many writers how helpful they’ve found critiques while they’ve been drafting. As always, never mess with success. If it works for you, definitely keep it up.

When do you look for feedback for your writing? Has the timing changed?

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay