{"id":2165,"date":"2021-02-24T15:29:20","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T20:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/?p=2165"},"modified":"2023-12-30T09:01:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-30T14:01:28","slug":"story-feedback-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/story-feedback-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Story Feedback 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized is-style-rounded\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/qy7s3400-a.akamaihd.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Writing-Feedback-Why-You-Should-Stop-Asking-If-Your-Story-Is-Good.png\" alt=\"Writing Feedback: Why You Should Stop Asking If Your Story Is Good\" width=\"1045\" height=\"804\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re like most writers, you\u2019re thrilled. You\u2019ve just poured your heart and soul into this and you want some sweet affirmation after all your hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So as you share your work, you ask a seemingly innocent question: \u201cIs it good?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This question may seem harmless enough. But this is a dangerous question, and if you want to become a better storyteller&nbsp;<em>and&nbsp;<\/em>write stories that actually ARE good, you need to stop asking if your work is \u201cgood\u201d and pursue a much different route to get useful writing feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is \u201cGood?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When I teach Creative Writing, I always spend a day training them for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/best-writers-group\/\">workshop<\/a>. One of the first lessons I teach is to never describe something as \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad.\u201d That\u2019s not helpful writing feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rather, decide whether or not it \u201cworks.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When writing stories, we tend to forget that we are creating complex narrative machines with many moving parts. When done, we hand those machines to human readers, all of whom approach stories with unique points of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then we ask for an absolute judgment of quality, or whether or not it is \u201cgood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With that in mind, tell me:&nbsp;<strong>What does it mean when a reader says your story is \u201cgood?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Does that mean it is publishable?<\/li><li>Does it mean that reader would buy it for $19.99 in hardcover or $2.99 on Kindle?<\/li><li>Does it mean that parts of it were great and parts of it were terrible, averaging out to \u201cgood?\u201d<\/li><li>Does it mean the reader is a friend and doesn\u2019t want to hurt your feelings?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is \u201cgood,\u201d after all?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is, \u201cgood\u201d is just&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/receiving-feedback\/?hvid=3xU5bB\">a value judgment from a biased person<\/a>. It has nothing to do with how well your story&nbsp;<em>functions.&nbsp;<\/em>It doesn\u2019t say anything about whether or not your story will work \u2014 or be \u201cgood\u201d \u2014 to thousands of readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGood\u201d is a meaningless word that can lull you into a false sense of satisfaction. Watch out for this word. It is the enemy of the storyteller who wants to grow in his or her craft. It is wine to the artistic drunkard\u2019s ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3 Questions to Ask Instead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main problem with \u201cgood\u201d is that this word tells us nothing useful. We can\u2019t&nbsp;<em>do<\/em>&nbsp;anything with that writing feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We don\u2019t learn if our protagonist is relateable and\/or likeable. We don\u2019t learn if each of his or her choices, and the choices of other characters, make sense to the reader. We don\u2019t know if our setting is well-drawn and integrated into the action. We don\u2019t know if the story flows well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And we certainly don\u2019t know what emotional connection, or disconnection, the reader experienced throughout our story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGood\u201d is the answer you get when you don\u2019t ask for effective, specific writing feedback.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/writing-feedback\/\">It is usually the word non-writers use<\/a>&nbsp;because they aren\u2019t keen on the moving parts to the complex machine we\u2019ve created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That is why we should use this question instead:&nbsp;<strong>\u201cDoes it&nbsp;<em>work?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And we should use it in varying forms, catered to the reader\u2019s experience with each particular element of the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are tons of questions you could ask about how your story works, here are three that will help you convert any flimsy first draft into a powerful story right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. \u201cDid you understand what the Protagonist wanted and why?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, you\u2019re basically asking: \u201cDoes my Protagonist-Goal-Motivation structure work?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/novel-plan-with-physical-goal\/\">The fundamental building block of any story is the Protagonist\u2019s goal.<\/a>&nbsp;His\/her motivation for pursuing the goal is also essential, as the reader has to be sufficiently motivated to care about what happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some examples from famous novels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>\u201cDid you understand what, or whom, Jay Gatsby wanted, and why?\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong>(<em>The Great Gatsby<\/em>)<\/li><li><strong>\u201cDid you have any questions about Janie\u2019s goal to find her voice, and her motivation for it?\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong>(<em>Their Eyes Were Watching God<\/em>)<\/li><li><strong>\u201cWhat were your thoughts about Macbeth\u2019s goal of being king, and why he wanted it?\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong>(<em>Macbeth<\/em>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These questions will point your reader directly at the core of your story: its central desire. Nothing drives the plot as much as this foundational element, and you have to get it right \u2014 so ask the right question when you seek feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. \u201cDid the Protagonist\u2019s choices make sense?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With this question, you are asking if your plot works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/question-for-plot-development\/\">It\u2019s important that you never define your plot as \u201cwhat happens.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your plot is \u201cwhat characters choose, followed by consequences, followed by more choices.\u201d Trey Parker and Matt Stone employ this rule in their writing for&nbsp;<em>South Park<\/em>, which is one of the reasons the show has been running for more than two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For your story to work, its chain of events \u2014 or rather,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/literary-crisis\/\">chain of&nbsp;<em>choices<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<\/em>must make sense to your reader:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>\u201cDid you understand why Huckleberry faked his death?\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn<\/em>)<\/li><li><strong>\u201cDid Harry\u2019s choices before, during, and after the scenes in the Ministry of Magic make sense?\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix<\/em>)<\/li><li><strong>\u201cDid you have any questions about Okonkwo\u2019s relationship with his son, and why he disowned him?\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>Things Fall Apart<\/em>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is here that you\u2019ll probably encounter the most questions and therefore do the most revising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s because it is imperative that your reader understand&nbsp;<em>why&nbsp;<\/em>characters do what they do, and why the consequences are what they are. This guarantees that your story has strong internal logic and makes complete sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. \u201cDid you have emotional responses during the story? When?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, with this question, you are asking: \u201cDo my story\u2019s stakes and consequences work?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand emotional responses, one must understand catharsis: \u201cThe process of releasing strong or repressed emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of a storyteller\u2019s job is to build a reader\u2019s emotional investment in the characters and the characters\u2019 lives.&nbsp;<strong>The way to do that is through high stakes and authentic consequences.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a two-time judge for The Write Practice\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/writingcontests\/\">Writing Contests<\/a>, I\u2019ve read many stories that piled on the suffering, thinking this would pave the way to a win. This may sound crass, but putting death, kittens, cancer, or Sarah MacLachlan in your story do not make it emotional (though it may be manipulative).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So here\u2019s what to ask about the emotion in your story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>\u201cHow did you feel when Lennie told George about the farm with the rabbits?\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong>(<em>Of Mice and Men<\/em>)<\/li><li><strong>\u201cWhat moments in&nbsp;<em>Watership Down&nbsp;<\/em>were thrilling for you? What scenes didn\u2019t interest you as much?\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong>(<em>Watership Down<\/em>)<\/li><li><strong>\u201cHow did you respond when Piggie was killed? Did you feel for him more or less than Simon?\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>Lord of the Flies<\/em>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By specifically asking our readers about their emotional journey, we can diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of our stories\u2019 stakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If readers aren\u2019t responding the way you\u2019d like, perhaps you need to up the ante and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/literary-crisis\/?hvid=4Y2ra3\">force the Protagonist to put more at risk<\/a>. If a relationship isn\u2019t inspiring compassion, make those characters pursue a common goal together, increasing the stakes if something bad should happen to&nbsp;<em>both&nbsp;<\/em>of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if the end of your story doesn\u2019t seem to satisfy, add some authentic consequences: make victory (or defeat) cost a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reader emotions can be deceptive, especially if you\u2019ve set out to write an \u201cemotional\u201d story. Make sure you\u2019re getting the&nbsp;<em>right&nbsp;<\/em>emotion at the&nbsp;<em>right&nbsp;<\/em>moment, and don\u2019t make the mistake of thinking that all emotions need to be negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get Better Writing Feedback, Write Better Stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So should you still ask&nbsp;if your story is \u201cgood?\u201d Maybe just even once?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, if you ask the better questions, questions that get specific and useful feedback about particular elements of your story, then you will be armed with some of the most valuable information a writer can have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you use that information to craft numerous drafts, each one more effective than the last, you will create a story that works, and works for thousands of readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So \u2014 should you ask if it\u2019s \u201cgood?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No! Don\u2019t do it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because if you take this advice and do your job right, you\u2019ll never have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your adoring readers will gladly do it for you \u2014 over and over again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>What other questions do you ask to get great writing feedback?<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;Let us know in&nbsp;the comments!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PRACTICE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today\u2019s practice comes to you in two parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, take&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/e.ggtimer.com\/15minutes\">fifteen minutes<\/a>&nbsp;to write a story based on this prompt: \u201cBut why? That\u2019s so gross.\u201d Or, find a piece you\u2019ve already written that you\u2019d like feedback on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, share your writing in&nbsp;the comments&nbsp;and ask one of the three questions above. Once you\u2019ve shared, read your fellow writers\u2019 pieces and answer the question they\u2019ve asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/good-story-feedback\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">credit<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re like most writers, you\u2019re thrilled. You\u2019ve just poured your heart and soul into this and you want some sweet affirmation after all your hard work. So as you share your work, you ask a seemingly innocent question: \u201cIs it good?\u201d This question may seem harmless enough. But this is a dangerous question, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":null,"ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":null,"ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":null,"stick-header-meta":null,"header-above-stick-meta":null,"header-main-stick-meta":null,"header-below-stick-meta":null,"astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[46],"tags":[91],"class_list":["post-2165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-resources","tag-91"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Joline","author_link":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/author\/jolineblais_0gs50y\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"If you\u2019re like most writers, you\u2019re thrilled. You\u2019ve just poured your heart and soul into this and you want some sweet affirmation after all your hard work. So as you share your work, you ask a seemingly innocent question: \u201cIs it good?\u201d This question may seem harmless enough. But this is a dangerous question, and&hellip;","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paCyLV-yV","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2165"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2167,"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2165\/revisions\/2167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jolineblais.net\/nmd443\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}