After submitting several stories to different contests, I have a newfound appreciation for feedback and a better process for utilizing it. While I often receive feedback from my writing circle, it’s different getting feedback from people who you don’t know and who don’t know you. There is no opportunity to ask for clarification. This is a good thing.
Even when I look at a piece that I think is polished, it’s possible that there is something I have missed in the formulation and execution of the story idea? Do I miss the same thing every time?
It can be hard to be objective with a story after a while, which is the purpose of letting the story rest, but how do we gain that objectivity again? And how do we do it on a deadline?
For me, that is the point of the contest. I get to see how often I make mistakes. I get to see if the feedback is consistent. Consistent feedback from multiple sources helps to narrow down the issues and make them definable so I can see errors on my own because I get in the habit of looking for and identifying them.
But assuming you’ve done all that and you have mountains of feedback to evaluate, how do you do it?
This is my process:
- Objectivity with feedback is just as important as it is with your story. Start by setting aside your feelings.
- General information is the priority. Filter out anything that applies to only one story. Look for verbs that describe your writing, tone, and voice.
- Trends, especially words and phrases that are repeated throughout the feedback are key. They are especially important when they are pointed out by different people.
I like to copy this information into a spreadsheet where I keep a list of phrases from feedback that meet this criteria. They are grouped by story, then I highlight any trends or themes so it is easy to spot them across different projects.
For the most part, I disregard anything telling me how to fix a story. That is opinion, and it only applies to that specific story. Look for feedback that is contradictory. People who have read the same story and disagree on how to improve it will show the line between what is opinion and what will make you a better writer.
For more of my writing process, check out my blog post, “Writing Short Fiction for Challenges,” on how I have prepared for this kind of writing. I also posted specifics about the kind of feedback I received in, “I Competed In A Writing Contest and…”
If you would like to see more of the stories I have submitted subscribe to my blog and newsletter. Socials linked below.
Chandra Arthur 
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