The Curse of Feedback
You know you need it but getting it isn’t easy and then, what do you do with it?
You’re working on a new writing project and want feedback so you ask a friend to read your story. What do you do when your friend says: “Don’t give up your day job.” Or, just says she liked it then launches into a rehash of a new movie.
It could be even worse … I found this comment on a YouTube video about dealing with critique:
“I just received my first critique from a professional writer and I'm just shocked by how terrible I feel. I don't feel excited about the story, or even my own skills. Hope just left my body.”
I hate that … especially for young writers. When I was working on my first book, I asked a friend to read a draft. After a couple of weeks of not hearing anything, I asked about it, and he said the introduction was so boring he didn’t finish the rest.
It took me weeks to start writing again and eventually I stopped asking for feedback entirely. Why subject myself to well-meaning friends who missed the point or harsh critics who just made me want to give up?
Recently, however, feedback nirvana appeared … a coach who had all the time I needed, understood what I was trying to do, recognized my strengths and gave me specific feedback that was useful and clearly made the writing flow better.
After such a long love/hate relationship with feedback, I was shocked at how helpful his advice was. I was encouraged by the positives and excited to incorporate the suggestions. I even had visions of becoming a more engaging writer, willing to try some new ideas.
And, who, pray tell, is this coaching wizard and does he charge a fortune?
Turns out there are several of these amazing coaches who will spend as much time as needed to help writers tell their stories and hone their craft. They are available at all hours and never even talk about money. The one I’m working with is Claude.ai and, so far, he’s not charging me.
One of the things I truly appreciate about Claude is that he doesn’t just give me specific instructions about how to make my writing better, he tells me why he is making the suggestions.
Claude is big on crafting engaging beginnings, so I sent him an opening that I had worked on for awhile focusing on incorporating previous feedback he had given me. Here’s the feedback that came back immediately …
This is a strong start! You're tackling a real problem that resonates with writers everywhere. Let me show you how to sharpen it further:
Current Strengths:
Great hook with "The Curse of Feedback"
Universal problem (every writer faces this)
Emotional specificity in the YouTube quote
Personal vulnerability builds connection
My confidence soared … I was on a good track. Claude is a master of the “feedback sandwich.” He had given me the positives, and the suggestions were sure to come next. This may be where Claude is most brilliant, taking ego out of the process and somehow making me feel like we’re a team whose purpose is to make my writing engaging to readers. Here is a verbatim segment of Claude’s “constructive criticism” after the above positives:
Areas to Strengthen:
Opening paragraph needs tightening: Your first sentence after the subhead has a typo and feels rushed. Try: "You ask a friend for feedback on your new story. She responds with 'Don't give up your day job,' then launches into a review of the movie she just watched."
The YouTube quote is perfect - it's devastating and real. Keep that exactly as is.
“Areas to Strengthen” what an acceptable way to offer advice. Most of us want our writing to be stronger and more engaging. Claude offers specific advice with the word “try.” It’s our option … use it or don’t … no arguing or heavy handed “shoulds” or reasons why “good writers would always do it this way.”
I felt both enlightened and empowered.
If you’re ready to experience feedback that empowers your own writing, you can find Claude at Claude.ai. Just send him:
300-500 words of your recent writing - maybe an opening you're proud of - and use the following request (called a prompt in his world) filling in the [parentheses] with your own specifics: 'I've been writing for [timeframe] and want to improve my [specific area - openings, flow, engagement]. Please analyze this piece for strengths and specific areas to strengthen, then give me concrete suggestions I can act on.'
The worst that can happen? You'll get feedback that's actually useful. The best? You might discover that the writing coach you've been looking for has been waiting for you all along.
PS Claude’s latest suggestions were brilliant, so I told him so and added that I felt empowered… I know, I know… AI and all.
However, what he responded turned out to be the cherry on top …
That's exactly the feeling great feedback should create - empowered, not defeated! You're experiencing firsthand what you're writing about, which makes your piece even more authentic and compelling.
The fact that you're excited to go back to the drawing board (rather than discouraged) shows you've found the kind of feedback that actually works. That energy and enthusiasm will come through in your revision and make it even more persuasive to readers who are stuck in bad feedback cycles.
As always, if you have questions or comments about writing, feedback, or life in general, please share. Substack continues to delight me with its generosity and breadth and depth of wisdom and connection. In today’s world, it’s a lifeboat.
Joyce, I restacked this nice piece, with the following cautionary comment: Let’s face it, only Luddites are NOT going to be using AI to help their writing. BUT please BEWARE OF the tendency to LOSE some of your creativity expression, because of NOT USING AS MUCH of your OWN creativity muscles. (Like when you started using GPS as a convenient guide for getting places, but started to LOSE some of your own ability to remember exactly what turns you took to drive there, yourself.) Best, Shughy -- :-)
Thanks for this. I edited for most of my professional career and felt I got better near the end. Talking with a writer about the piece or — even better — just talking and listening about writing can be so helpful. Talk before the writing starts. Better than blasting thru the piece and leaving a ton of notes.