The Holy Grail for most of us as writers is feedback, as it drives interest, sales and reads, and I by no means under estimate the importance of comments and feedback. But I’ve found that in some cases, the value of not getting feedback can be equally important. And telling. Let me explain.
I have a pool of people whose opinion I value highly but who I don’t like harassing. I know how awkward it can be if someone asks me to read their book and, aside from the lack of time available for a multitude of projects (and if I’m reviewing to feed back I always take the role seriously and invest the necessary time), sometimes you know the genre or subject just isn’t going to work for you, and in some cases you know that the author is lacking confidence too, and is hoping for entirely positive comments. Providing platitudes and fake encouragement is a waste of both our times though, as it doesn’t help the author, and I’d feel like a fraud, being dishonest about my genuine thoughts. So if I agree to read for someone, I’ll always be honest. Yes I’ll focus on the constructive but if I’ve ever reviewed your work or given you feedback, I’ve never lied. Its only my opinion, but what I tell you is the truth from my persepctive. But its why I don’t like taking on unsolicited books to comment on. Its hard to say no to someone, but I might be aware in advance or from things that I’ve read in the past, that I’ll find it difficult to provide the positivity the writer wants.
But I digress (frequently, as you know if you read my books or blogs). The same rules apply exactly the same the other way round, and I hate asking other writers for comment, not wanting to put them in an awkward situation. But I do have a small pool of people who I’d really like feedback from, and would value their opinion, and while I do it sparingly, I’ll occasionally give them one of my books. I always make clear that there is no expectation for feedback or reviews in these cases, and I’d just like them to have a copy.
In some cases this results in constructive feedback, in some there’s praise or comments, but several times the book is never mentioned again. And I never ask or push for it these cases. The lack of volunteered comment or feedback (even of the platitudinal “Thanks, I enjoyed it”) is more telling than anything else. To me, it means they don’t have anything good to say. It’s fine of course if my writing isn’t to people’s tastes, though it is a bit frustrating to now know if there is a specific “why” – I may not agree but can only improve and consider how to write more effectively if I don’t know the readers’ negatives. But it also acts as a counterbalance to the wonderful and affirming positivity you can sometimes get from friends and family giving 5*, “amazing” comments. An independent critique that doesn’t try to make me feel good is far better (for me, I know writers’ self-confidence and procedure varies).
The biggest worry of course, if there is no feedback at all, is that the work isn’t even interesting enough to provoke a reaction, and I’d personally prefer to be hated than viewed as an irrelevance.
Here endeth the sermon.
Stay safe,
Kit