Make Any Necessary Changes After Getting Feedback (Step 10 of 11)
Feedback can help you identify areas that need improvement. Even if you think your work is perfect, it’s always possible that there are things you can do to make it better. Feedback from trusted sources can help you identify areas that need more attention, such as plot holes, character development, or pacing.
Feedback can help you make your work more engaging for readers. The goal of any writer is to create a story that readers will enjoy. Feedback can help you identify what’s working in your story and what’s not, so you can make changes to make it more engaging.
Feedback can help you learn and grow as a writer. Every time you get feedback on your writing, you have an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer. By taking the feedback into account and making changes to your work, you can improve your writing skills and become a better storyteller.
How to Approach Feedback, Whether It’s Positive or Negative
Of course, not all feedback is created equal. It’s important to be selective about the feedback you receive and to only make changes that you think are necessary. But if you’re open to feedback and willing to make changes, it can be a valuable tool for improving your writing. Here are some tips for making changes to your work based on feedback:
- Don’t be defensive. It’s natural to feel defensive when you receive feedback on your work. But it’s important to remember that the person giving you feedback is trying to help you, not hurt you. Try to listen to the feedback with an open mind and be willing to consider making changes.
- Don’t make changes just because someone else says so. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to make a change is up to you. If you don’t agree with the feedback, you don’t have to make the change. But if you think the feedback is valid, it’s worth considering making the change.
- Make changes gradually. Don’t try to make too many changes at once. This can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to see the overall impact of the changes. Start by making small changes and then gradually make more changes as you see fit.
Last, but not least, get feedback again. Once you’ve made changes to your work, get feedback again. This will help you to see how the changes have affected your writing and whether or not they were necessary.
Reasons to Make Changes Based on Feedback
Making changes to your work based on feedback can be a challenge, but it’s an important part of the writing process. By following these tips, you can make the most of the feedback process and improve your writing as a result. There are many reasons why fiction writers make changes to their work after getting feedback. Here are a few of the most common reasons:
- To fix plot holes or inconsistencies. Feedback from readers can often help writers to identify plot holes or inconsistencies in their stories. These are errors that can make the story confusing or unbelievable for readers. By fixing these errors, writers can make their stories more coherent and engaging.
- To improve character development. Feedback can also help writers to improve the development of their characters. Readers can often point out characters that are underdeveloped or inconsistent. By making changes to their characters, writers can make them more believable and relatable for readers.
- To improve the pacing of the story. Feedback can also help writers to improve the pacing of their stories. Readers can often point out sections of the story that are slow or boring. By making changes to the pacing, writers can make their stories more exciting and engaging.
- To improve the overall quality of the writing. Feedback can also help writers to improve the overall quality of their writing. Readers can often point out errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. By correcting these errors, writers can make their writing more polished and professional.
In addition to making changes based on feedback, fiction writers also proofread their work before it is finished. This is done to ensure that the writing is free of errors and that the story flows smoothly. There are a few different ways that fiction writers proofread their work. Some writers read their work aloud to themselves, while others ask a friend or family member to read it for them. Some writers also use editing software to help them proofread their work.
Next → Proofread and Apply Final Touches (Step 11 of 11)
← Previous: Get Feedback from Trusted Sources (Step 9 of 11)
A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Good Fiction: Home / Table of Contents
Owen is the creator and author of more than sixty original short stories and counting, including drama, crime, suspense, action and adventure, family, historic fiction, sci-fi, and slices of life. He is also a musician who has written extensively about theory.
