How to Give Feedback on a Friend’s Writing

Writing is a solitary endeavor, but once a writer gets that first, second or third draft done, they reach out to others to get a fresh opinion, usually from friends. It's nerve-wracking enough to be the writer in this relationship, but what about the friend? If you happen to find yourself in this position, here are a few steps to make sure this is a positive experience for both of you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• a hard copy or digital version of the manuscript

1. Choose a distraction free environment. Whether it is in your favorite coffee shop, your home office, or a dry bathtub behind a locked bathroom door, find a place where you can concentrate on what you are reading.
2. Make notes as you read. A hard copy of the manuscript makes this easy since you can jot down your thoughts by passages or lines that particularly stand out to you. But if you have a digital copy, try having a notepad or a word document open to type in your notes.
3. Be objective. It is easy to associate what you are reading with the author, especially if you know them well, but try to pretend this is just a work you picked up at your local bookstore. Unless your friend wrote about an event you both witnessed and wants your opinion on its accuracy, being objective is the best way to give honest feedback.
4. Start with the positive. When you meet up with your friend to talk about the writing, begin with what you liked most about it. “This part worked for me because…” is a great way to start off a sentence. Try not to flatter, as empty flattery will not help the manuscript nor the writer, but staying honest about what is good in the work will build up the writer’s confidence and let them know that they are doing something right.
5. Ask questions. Instead of pointing out things that you didn’t like, if there are parts of the manuscript that were not as up to snuff as the rest, explain why they didn’t work for you and then ask questions about it. Instead of saying that the plot is bad, for example, ask specific questions about missing plot points or motivations: “Why does the girl kiss the frog in the first place?” Questions keep you from coming off too negative, which would make the writer defensive, and forces the writer to think about their story in new ways.
6. Give your feedback in a timely manner. Set up a schedule with the writer. If you say you’re going to get something done by a certain time, then get it done. If things come up, let the writer know ahead of time and reschedule. This shows the writer that you actually care and builds up their confidence.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to only give constructive criticism. People can close off when the negative is emphasized, especially on something close to them, so choose your words carefully.