I run writing workshops and I've noticed that some participants give feedback that's more about showing off their own knowledge than actually helping the writer. What writing feedback that helps have you found most effective? I'm looking for specific editing feedback for writers approaches and writing workshop techniques that focus on creative process improvement rather than just pointing out flaws.
I've found that framing feedback as questions about reader experience really helps. Instead of this paragraph is confusing," I might ask "What were you hoping readers would understand from this section?" or "How do you want readers to feel at this point in the story?" This approach to writing feedback that helps focuses on the writer's goals rather than my opinions.
One technique I use is having writers identify what they want feedback on before sharing their work. They might say I'm particularly concerned about the pacing in the middle section" or "I'm not sure if the character's motivation is clear." This focuses the editing feedback for writers on areas they're already questioning, which makes them more receptive to suggestions.
I've adapted some design critique best practices for writing workshops. We use I notice, I wonder, I suggest" as a framework. First participants share what they notice in the writing, then questions they have, and finally specific suggestions. This writing workshop technique provides structure that prevents feedback from becoming too vague or too prescriptive.
For poetry and lyrical writing, I use techniques similar to feedback for musicians. We'll read passages aloud and discuss the rhythm and sound patterns. This creative process improvement approach helps writers think about how their words feel when spoken, not just how they look on the page. It's amazing how much this simple shift can improve creative work.
I encourage writers to think about their work visually, similar to how I approach photography critique tips. We'll discuss the composition" of a scene or chapter, the "lighting" of mood and tone, and the "focus" of narrative attention. This crossdisciplinary approach to creative feedback techniques often reveals insights that pure literary analysis misses.
I use screenplay feedback methods for prose writing too. We'll look at scenes as shots" and discuss what the "camera" is focusing on. This filmmaker feedback method adapted for writing helps authors think about showing versus telling. It's particularly useful for editing feedback for writers who struggle with visual storytelling.