Have you asked for feedback in the last few days?

[KillerMuffin]

Wonderful! Did you get any? Did you see anyone else asking for feedback, too? Have you given any feedback?

Click on someone else's thread and give their story a read, then let them know what you think!

 

[P. B. Walker]

Yes ma'am!

lol.. just teasin...

I was wondering.. how does everyone else balance out their writing with giving feedback. I thoroughly enjoy doing both. I was worried about giving feedback at first, but as I do it more and more, I've found it becomes easier. I've even developed a little checklist for myself on things to look at and judge.

However, giving feedback takes time. I have a few stories and authors that I really want to give feedback to. I will probably get to them soon, but at the same time I have several stories in the works. Finding time to do both is a (well pardon the french) a bitch.

What does everyone else do? Does your writting come first? Do you only give feedback when you have free time? Do you force yourself to make time for feedback?

Just wonderin

- PBW

 

[Couture]

It depends. If I read something I like, I give feedback.

When I'm 'writing', I'm not reading. So, I really don't feel I'm shorting one for the other. I just think of it as payment for services rendered.

 

[karmadog]

Writing first

Writing comes first, but if I'm going to take the time to read something, I will allow for the extra time needed to comment. Sometimes I don't have the time to give extensive feedback so a quick "good job" or "thanks for sharing your story" is all I can do. I know I appreciate even that, so why wouldn't another?

 

[smithpeter]

I am nervous asking for feedback. But I have done it. It is humbling. This is not an invitation to read what I have posted at Lit but pretty much of it is posted with no opinion asked or cared for before it goes up. When I write I do it for the rush or the need to put down something that I feel coming in. Wavelengths carrying crap, if you will.

Part 2,
I read a lot of things at this place. I usually only remark on things that changed my day or life as we know it. Voting is another issue. Not enough votes. 1's or 5's or in between.
KM, why did you ask these questions?

 

[KillerMuffin]

Why?

Everyone wants feedback.
Almost no one wants to give feedback.

Is there anything more unjust than that?

I scrolled through the past few weeks worth of feedback requests, these are my findings:

Of all the people who have asked for feedback on the first page, not a single one of them have given feedback.

Of all the people on my own thread who asked me for feedback, only four of them have gone on to give feedback, three are poets.

There is nothing quite like a damned selfish writer wanting feedback for his or herself and extremely unwilling to return the favor. This is an extremely one sided board with a bunch of children demanding to be fed and the few adults scrambling to feed the lot of them. There are a bunch of "Give me feedback" threads with zero replies.

Writing comes first or I'm not qualified are the absolute worst possible excuses to give. One of the things a writer does is research, they read. Presumably they read stories on the site. There is nothing wrong with stopping off and writing a note of feedback.

Feedback doesn't equal full length critique. To give someone feedback you don't need to write an indepth critique, you just need to give the writer your opinion. The thing called "discussion" happens afterwards. You never know, you just might learn something.

A bulletin board is give and take. Only three or four people around here care to give, the rest only want to take.

 

[smithpeter]

so, an agenda of getting pissed at people that have access to the internet. Is it a mirror of fleshy life? Unsupported existence, art, expression?

 

[KillerMuffin]

Mirrored only by the agenda of doing one's utmost to provoke those around them with pseudo-philisophical jabs backed by nothing more than unsupportable conjecture.

This is a recurring theme on this board begun by Laurel and echoed by various active participants. "You want feedback? Please be kind enough to return the favor." You must have seen this before.

I am not, by the way, pissed off, irritated, annoyed, bitchy, angry, raving, screaming, yelling, enraged, furious, or hacked off. That's your own personal interpretation of what amounts to nothing more than a nasty complaint.

Pleasant writing.

 

[Silentbob]

I hate to say it, but it's easier to some people to ask and not recieve. Also you have to consider how many people that post for feedback that are new to the board.

I don't ask for feedback. Asking for feedback gives too much o a "Look at me! I'm a writer!" thing. I write for fun. I post in hopes of giving someone that reads my work enjoyment. If tehy feel like giving me feedback great, if they don't fine.

The only time I'm into "feedback" is if there is a "critic circle" which I'm a part of to put a story in, read it, and everyone discusses it before going onto the next one.

But alas, I don't join them much due to the fact that I prefer not to tell people if they have a piece of crap. Especially in the field of writing, a piece of crap to one person might be a masterpiece to another.

Some of us don't have the time to give feedback, so it's easier to get feedback. But if I have enough time to go "hey, give me feedback," i make damn sure I have enough time to give it.

It just makes that much sense.

 

[Hudson]

I agree that feedback should be mutual, I also beleive it takes some people a lot of courage to write erotica and at times is their first attempt at writing, I guess when someone new posts a story they head straight here to see what people with more experience think. I dont beleive people are looking for a pat on the back I think they genuinely want to be told if their story is good or bad, and some freindly advice. If you are just cutting your teeth as a reader, it is hard to give others feedback almost intimidating at times.

Just trying to see it in another perspective.

 

[Hudson]

typo alert should be if your cutting your teeth as a writer, you knew that though.

 

[rigged4dive]

Ahem...!

Never would I dream of correcting, or even in the remotest fashion disagreeing with KillerMuffin; usually.

You’re dead wrong.

At the time of your posting, my request for feedback was indeed on the first page, and I really must take umbrage at being called a check valve (mechanical), diode (electrical), One Way MotherFucker (plain old English colloquialism), even in a class-action sort of way.

Please note the two links bellow to threads on which I did indeed post feedback. It may not be the most useful feedback, or even the most verbose feedback, but it is, nonetheless, feedback.



http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63960

http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64113

 

[MysteryWriter]

obviously I am the only true redneck writer here. I note this from all the high intellectual conversations I can not participate in. I can however defend myself miss muffin only by saying. I would never feel qualified to tell anyone else how to write.

I do however recognize a story teller in just a few paragraphs. If you want me to do that I will be happy to spend an hour opening every piece i can in that time. I will write them a feedback based on my first impression.

As you and I have discussed I do not read other people's work because at heart I am easily influenced (Find their ideas creeping into my own writing). But I would be happy to read enough of their writing to say "Damn Nice Grammer, Or you spell real good. or damn you type good.

And miss muffin I am guilty. I asked on two occassions for someone to read a piece I wrote. Far from trying to convince myself I am a writer I was hoping for intelligent feedback and I got it both times so I am the one of whom you speak.

I freely admit I am not a writer of the calibur of the others here. I am but a simple country boy storyteller in the tradition of oral story tellers of my people (trailer trash). So if you would like a feedback on a single page of your writing contact me with your link. I will give you a redneck story tellers point of view.

 

[P. B. Walker]

I think ya'll are missing KM's point. Yes, it's a give and take situation. If you want feedback, you should at least take the time to give a little as well. But the secondary point I think she was trying to make was that giving feedback makes you a better writer. Seeing what other people do, how they describe things, how they get their sentences to flow, etc., etc., can help us all. Reading and writing go together. If you don't read, you'll never be a better writer. A good example, have you ever had to teach something? Did you notice that you learned more about the subject by teaching it, then you did when you were in the class?

I know for a fact that since I've started reading and giving feedback (compared to just reading as masturbation material LOL) that I've seen some amazing pieces of writing. It's forced me to take a more critical look at my writing. It's forced me to see the flaws in my writing that are keeping me from being a better writer. And it's not major stuff just simple stuff.

Yes, I whole heartedly agree, giving feedback takes time. I'm perfer to give a relatively detailed bit of feedback. I'm not super detailed, but it's more than "hey, great job" or "that sucked". I don't like that kind of feedback just because it really doesn't tell me much. It's like getting a "thumbs up" after you just scored the winning touchdown... like WTF, over! So, for me, giving feedback takes a healthy bit of time.

I belong to the feedback circle redux.. and I've been forcing myself to try and give two feedbacks each week. Yeah, I'm a slow mutherfucker, but hey, at least I'm doing it.

I think if ya'll take just a tiny bit of time each week and give feedback you'll see that it does help. I was in the same boat of not feeling right about giving feedback because I didn't think I was good enough. We're all aspiring writers in some form or fashion, ya just gotta let that crap go and say what you think about the story. Speak your mind. Make a stand.

Steppin of the soapbox... whoa... watch that last step.

- PBW

 

[Couture]

It appears that there are quite a few misconceptions, but here are my interpretations.

KillerMuffin, what do you say we get together. You can teach me how to write and I can act out the stories with you. No?

I know it is upsetting for you to spend so much time critiquing stories only to have that person disappear forever after you do so. I think a lot of the newbies that come to the board to ask for feedback don't really realize that it is mostly authors that reside here. They believe that they are asking readers to give their opinions; never considering that they are requesting a fellow author to take time away from their writing to give them some feedback. This is the reason I ask what type of story it is. I don't give feedback on something I wouldn't ordinarily read. You will probably continue on as you have, due to the fact that you have helped a number of people here become better writers. That has to be rewarding in its own way. Although, I don't have the patience nor the expertise.

Rigged, I don't know what *your* problem is. KM didn't mention your name when she wrote this, nor do I believe you prompted this thread. Now, you've got that damn Carli Simon song playing in my head.

Mystery, I don't think you give yourself enough credit. Eating grits and screaming yeeehaww during a concert does not lower your iq. (At least I hope not) Although, these fucking muggy hot ass summers may. The point is, *anyone* can give feedback, even if it is no more than "Great story! I enjoyed it." The last three words are the most important. You may have elipsis coming out of your ass and you eyeballs, but if it is a good story -- so what?

Cheers

Couture

 

[rigged4dive]

Couture, you are absolutely right, and I am occasionally guilty of over reacting.

However, a shotgun blast, -

----------------------------------
Of all the people who have asked for feedback on the first page, not a single one of them have given feedback.
…
There is nothing quite like a damned selfish writer wanting feedback for his or herself and extremely unwilling to return the favor. This is an extremely one sided board with a bunch of children demanding to be fed and the few adults scrambling to feed the lot of them.
---------------------------------

- while not directed at a specific individual, is still most unpleasant to be caught in, especially when someone you have a great deal of respect for is holding the shotgun.

 

[P. B. Walker]

However, a shotgun blast, -

- while not directed at a specific individual, is still most unpleasant to be caught in, especially when someone you have a great deal of respect for is holding the shotgun.

That's just KM's style. She comes off sounding pissed sometimes, but I don't think she really is. Plus... I think... I could be wrong... but if she was attacking someone personally I think they'd know it. Just a guess there

I have a feeling this was KM's way of giving this forum a good hard kick in the seat of the pants. I've noticed the whole forum has been very slow since the poetry discussion/feedback was split off into it's own separate forum. Us prose writers seem to be a quieter bunch, which can lead to a very dead forum, very quickly.

That's just my opinion... I could and might very well be wrong.

Write On, Duuudee. (ok, bad surfer impression).

- PBW

 

[Couture]

Rigged,

Jees, I've been here so damn long I've grown used to KM saying stuff like that every once and awhile ;-) It wasn't very nice, was it?

Muffin, or should I say Killer . . . your panties are in a wad again. I think you need to take a time out and go have sex.

 

[P. B. Walker]

OMG Muffin as sex???!!! Stop... you'll ruin my imagine of her... lol...

- PBW

 

[KillerMuffin]

I have to apologize, Rigged. If it helps any, I'ma CT. If you don't what that means, then it doesn't help any, anyway. Tact isn't something I'm familiar with. Or use with any degree of expertise.

I don't mind giving feedback and I expect nothing in return by way of feedback. I learn just as much by giving it. I'm not the one whose having the problem. The entire board is having the problem. It's gasping for air. I tried to be nice with my original post and give a friendly kick in the pants, but the moment I perceive criticism when I'm doing nothing wrong, out comes the tactless way of carrying on.

Most people aren't going to give feedback. There will only be the few who do. I just wish there were more so maybe some discussion could crop up.

Stories aren't like poetry where you have, usually, less than 150 words. A person can comment on and create poetry in a short time. Stories are long, involved, and take time no matter what you're doing with them. Feedback is the best and most valuable way of giving the forum a bit of life and giving story writers something valuable to use.

 

[P. B. Walker]

Your a CT? My interest is piqued.

- PBW

 

[smithpeter]

threads of meaning

Ok, there is a distinction between poetry and story writing. Unfortunately the thing stuck on my clipboard is a poem so it is submitted below as a sort of experiment.
If I was not so lazy there would be a link to story's too.
What do you think?
I do not like the sound of that question…
sp
____________________________________________
Office Love

So very gorgeous
Dark in the inside, pale smiles
Strange pasts, TV movie pasts
Give insight to lost life
A tease of false accent
Allure in the flutter eye lashing

But then
The sexual sucking and fucking
Looks about the same as
Shaking hands
Hey, nice tie
Keep that one out of the shredder

 

[Silentbob]

CT?

Okay, I must be really new here, but, a CT? Killer Muffin is the state of conneticut?

 

[Couture]

Bob,
Oh, you think that's something? I used to live *in* CT.

 

[Laurel]

Personally, I think KillerMuffin is a QT.