Feedback for Writers

Write With RCS: Find out more about a writing Group and feedback. We may not need it but, it sure can help. 

                You can see that I have posted often about writing, writers and writing groups when you review the labels list in the column to the right of this post.
                   

             You may have already come to see that I believe that a teacherless writing group is a great way to great writing.

            A main purpose of such groups is the providing of appropriate feedback to writers about how their writing effects readers of their work.
                   

            I intend to write more  about developing and providing useful feedback to writers in the future.
                However, while I'm here I'll try to write something about better reading and more useful feedback.  

                In your writing group you can become a better reader and perceiver. No one is truly able to tell you that your perceptions are right or wrong. However, as a reader in a writing group you can be honest, can practice, and can learn.

            By using your perception, your perception can become more accurate and more useful.

                Your job as a reader of the works of others in your writing group is, to tell the writer what you really see and how you really react to his writing(I could say "her"rather "his," for a writing group may include female writers or may be made up entirely of female writers, but I will not). You as a good reader will know that you can learn to see better and to experience more fully.  

                As you help the writer become a better writer, you become a better reader. As you become more of an expert you may begin to feel that you are always right. I my experience, that is never true. What seems true to me is that as you continue to practice you can become a more agile, flexible, refined reader, and a more honest one.

                Learning to be a better reader is a process of character building. You may find yourself becoming both more sure of yourself and more humble.

                I have a lot to learn about my writing. I can benefit from good feedback. You can offer me some in the "comments' section below. 


                                                        by Richard Sheehan