[stylist] Pet PVS- Correcting fellow writers

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Okay, prepare to brand me the B since that's what usually happens, but
here we go. And no, I'm not intending for this to become a never-ending
thread with no conclusion. I merely throw food out for thought here.

Why belong to a community of writers where we share our work from
time-to-time if we do not want feedback and constructive criticism? The
greatest writers in the world have and do belong to some type of writing
community in which they not only share their work but provide feedback
and constructive criticism.

A loving, warm environment is necessary to this process because no one
is superior to anyone. We all have individual styles, voices, formats
and processes in which we write. We need to recognize the difference
between preference and wrong in terms of content, style and genre. Any
feedback should be done with sincerity and a general appreciation for
assisting fellow writers.

Feedback is crucial however. You don't attack; you don't condescend; you
don't take a derogatory tone, but you do provide feedback on what you
enjoy and what you think can use work. When it comes to established
rules and guidelines, you certainly point these out. Whether they be
errors made in carelessness or made from lack of knowledge, it does not
matter. Any writer should want a typo of any kind pointed out so it can
be fixed. Sure, many of us will eventually find those mistakes, but why
not take the assistance when offered? One less thing you have to do.

Stephen King does not write a novel then turn it over an have it
published. Before he submits it, he has a group of trusted writing
friends and editor who pour through a manuscript with him, pointing out
the weak spots along with any grammatical and structural errors. Most
people are aware that C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien were  colleagues
who belonged to a group of writers who provided feedback for one
another. This is why Lewis an Tolkien often seem similar because they
gave constructive feedback to each other, often incorporating ideas
suggested by the other.

There's nothing wrong with giving this feedback to each other, and no
one is affecting a superior attitude to do so. If I say your writing is
ridiculous and not worth my time, this is wrong and not the type of
feedback anyone should provide. If I say, however, I enjoyed this
section, but I feel character A does not have enough depth, or I like
your use of dialogue, but be careful of where you place punctuation with
quotation marks, this is constructive criticism and very beneficial and
helpful to any writer. If I make comments such as these, it's not
because I think I know everything, or that I'm of a superior intellect
than you, or a better writer than you, it's simply because I see
potential and want to assist you in bringing out all the best aspects of
your writing.

In return, I expect similar feedback. Especially in the beginning stages
with first drafts, we all need feedback. If I want to do my best work, I
need a finger on the pulse of those reading it. Audience feedback is the
only true way in which to learn what works and what doesn't in our
writing. It's great when you say you enjoy my writing and it's good, but
this doesn't tell me much, or help me when revising. In short, it
doesn't help make me a better writer; I just fatten up on the praise not
always aware of where I need to concentrate my revising and editing
efforts. This type of process is not contrary to a warm, loving an
generous atmosphere. As the saying goes, a true friend is honest, and I
think a similar comment can be said for writers.

To say a place like Stylist should only be an outlet in which we sit
back and just enjoy each others work is not giving an outlet like
Stylist all the possibilities it can be. After material is published,
then I want to sit back and enjoy it. Before, whether it be my own work
or others, I want to get my hands dirty, ironing and polishing, bringing
all the potential to the surface.

My essay published in Breath and Shadow's winter issue is a piece that
I've worked on for about four years. It has gone through rounds of
revision including several workshops, and I had posted sections of it on
Stylist to get feedback from those who cared to do so. What is in B and
S (ha-ha, just realized the initials here, grin) is something that not
only took time, as well as the result of my own creativity and editing,
but of the feedback from others. And I will still probably continue to
revise it over time.

So I think it unfair to us as writers and to the intention of Stylist to
say it's wrong or childish or the result of superior attitudes to
provide feedback when we post work here. Again, if you don't want
feedback from your peers, or can't handle it, a writing community of any
kind is not the place for you. And editors, publishers and authors
published numerous times are not the only "experts" who can provide
constructive feedback. Our writing peers can have just as much knowledge
and experience, and as I learned in university, ultimately it's up to
your intended audience who often are not writers or have any writing
experience/knowledge who determine the success of any writer. So why not
take the opportunity to receive feedback from your peers? In fact, I
don't see those of us proving such feedback as being superior, but the
opposite; if you don't want feedback, it could be interpreted as you
thinking yourself too superior to accept feedback from anyone else. As
always, it's a matter of perspective.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan