Writing is Not a War Zone

And look at that! A comments' section absolutely filled with genuine feedback from people that are highly interested. That's what I like to see and read. I'll need to return later to give this article a decent comment worth its salt. As a well seasoned commentor I do expect that of myself at least.

💯 agree with everything you say. Not going to repeat what others have already articulated so well. I’ll just say that I believe my writing improves with 1. thoughtful feedback, which can include positivity but it needs to be specific (beyond ‘Great! Loved it! Good job’ which are nice to get, but not considered feedback for improvement) and 2. Critiquing others’ work. It makes you work harder to identify what is working in what you read. Then you learn to incorporate your findings into your own work 🤗

Mackenzie, this is so precisely argued and eloquently written. Your assertion that indiscriminate positivity can result in death applies to any successful relationship. Would we want our partners, family members, friends, or colleagues to never hold us accountable for our actions or push us to improve? Certainly not; that would be the death of the relationship and perhaps even the professional or psychological death of us. Same goes with writing. I want people to make me better. Let's make this platform a space that's generous.

This is spot on! I appreciate positive remarks when they seem sincere, or make it apparent that the commenter read my work. Often, though, nothing in the feedback is specific enough to be certain they read what they commented on. Of course, no one (including myself) was their work to be callously dismissed, but I do appreciate those comments that speak directly to what I've written. And I welcome actual criticism...in its true meaning, not only in a pejorative sense. Recently someone commented on a poem of mine with some suggestions. I accepted one suggestion and immediately edited my poem to reflect that change. It made the poem better, and stronger. The other suggestions were good, also, but were more of an editorial preference that didn't fit my vision. So, I took what I could use and left the rest, but without constructive feedback, none of it would have happened.

“What I oppose is indiscriminate positivity” says it perfectly Mackenzie. Positivity for that sake alone is useful only if the writer is seeking validation and encouragement and the “hit” of being heard or read, which I guess if you’re starting out on your journey and need that confidence-boost, is a good thing. Some writers are there, and content to be so, and that’s completely okay. But agreed on all of this, particularly that last bit where you drove your point home (stick em with the pointy end). If any of us are here to one day publish a book, to make money, to create a following, or to plain and simply improve our writing (surely most) then we are gonna need either clear and substantial feedback that is impersonal but follows some kind of rubric, or personal suggestions from people we trust (not just randoms saying “this wasn’t good” haha). And the latter works best on a platform like Vocal if created organically. If we can put ego aside (and admittedly I find it hard) and accept that people can see things we might have missed or not thought of in our writing, wouldn’t we want to know that and get better? Iron sharpens iron 🙌

I really should get around to picking up the gauntlet you threw down in your last post and create my own request for critiques post :) Personally, the most important thing for my stories is that people enjoy them. I don't put a lot of thought into their themes or the higher arts of it, I just want to tell stories that people like most of the time. And generally speaking, I think I accomplish that, but there is always ALWAYS room to improve and assuming people aren't going to be total wankers about it, I'm more than happy to hear what anyone has to say that might give me a hand :)

"give what we want to get." This is exactly what I follow! I mean, I didn't follow that with that intention, to get what I give. But after reading what you said, upon reflection, I realised that my commenting style suits that. I'm happiest when I receive the kinda comments that I leave on peoples pieces. I always speak my mind. So glad you clarified this Mackenzie!

Unless a critic is getting paid by one media outlet or another. Then quite often those "critics" become bullies because it tends to sell. Other than that, I agree with you completely on this, Mackenzie. (And I'm assuming we agree on that as well, since I felt the need to put "critics" in quotation marks, lol.)

As I always say: "Praises don't fill my stomach or pay my bills." I need to know why my readers can relate or not to my writing. So, I fully agree. I think the problem with unsolicited advice is that it often comes with what feels like back-handed compliments and a lack of empathy. "Your work would be better if it was more like this or that." - for example. I find value in unsolicited feedback, but only when it comes from people who understand the complexity of the creative process. Another excellent post!

We do Critique workshops on Vocal + Assist called Critique Circles. They are usually about 5 to 6 people and are done in a safe and private space. So far this program has been well received. We are currently ending Critique Circle #3 and #4 will begin in April.

Very good points, as usual Mackenzie. Idk how we are supposed to improve if no one points out some of those little details that make a great critique

This is my position, very much. Don't get me wrong, I lap up the praise like a dehydrated camel, which lets face it, many of us are in adult life. But I also want to grow. But I learnt early that the etiquette here is if you can't say something nice.... And I need to feel that another writer and I have enough trust between us that critique won't be seen as aggressive. Except if I find plagiarism. Those folk should feel shit about doing that.

"I just can't see how reading a bad review or unsolicited feedback would be worse than seeing one's work blip into silence, time after time, without knowing why. It is here that we see positivity turn dark." - THIS. I would rather receive an honest review that might hurt my feelings for ten minutes than miss an opportunity to improve my craft. At the same time, I hear what you mean about it not being an either/or situation. I like to be specific with what I like and give honest feedback when the author welcomes it, but I agree, it can be hard to tell where the line is sometimes. It would be cool to bolster the Critique community a little! Thank you so much for writing this follow-up, Mackenzie!! Also, brilliant title! 👏🏻💗💗

If you are afraid of criticism here, you won't be prepared for it out there.