Embracing Feedback: Tips for Creative Writers

Getting feedback on your writing can feel really hard, especially when you’re making changes. It’s normal to feel nervous when someone checks your work. You might even start to doubt yourself. Here are some common challenges you might face along with some helpful tips:

1. Emotional Reactions

   • When someone critiques your work, it can feel very personal.
   • Tip: Remember that feedback is about your writing, not about you as a person. Try to keep your feelings separate from your work.

2. Understanding Good and Bad Feedback

   • It’s not always easy to tell which comments will help you improve your writing and which ones won’t.
   • Tip: Create a list of things to look for when reviewing feedback. Focus on what fits your goals as a writer.

3. Too Many Opinions

   • Getting lots of different feedback can make you unsure about what to do next.
   • Tip: Listen to feedback from people you trust. Pick out a few main points to work on instead of trying to fix everything at once.

4. Fear of Losing Your Style

   • Changing your work can feel like it's going to change who you are as a writer.
   • Tip: Keep a copy of your original draft handy. Look back at it often to make sure your revisions add to your style instead of taking it away.

Going through feedback isn’t easy, but using these tips can make it a lot simpler!