[PUBLIC POST] Positive Feedback!

[ljwrites]

As promised, this week we discuss the flip side of last week's post, positive feedback about your writing. What are some memorable compliments you have received? How was it helpful? When is a compliment less helpful, though still no doubt appreciated? How do you give positive feedback? What effect does positive feedback have on you? Feel free to discuss these or related subjects in the comments.

Comments

[lizbee]

I've received some really wonderful, clever feedback in the last few days, so this question is well-timed! I really appreciate all feedback, and kudos, but I especially love it when I get a comment that shows the reader has really engaged with the fic -- that it's made them think, or have an emotional response. I value that a lot.

(I missed last week's question, but ironically, the same wonderful reader of the last few days ALSO left some feedback that bugged me -- "Cool motive, still murder." I mean, yes, but I worked hard on that motive, dammit! IT WAS A GOOD MOTIVE (for murder).

[ljwrites]

Yep, it's awesome when someone really gets your fic--and awesome to be told that, too! I know I've been elated as a reviewer when an author told me I totally got it. Yeah, the author is dead (I mean, not this particular author, not literally. I hope) and all that (post?)modern stuff, but it's still nice when you achieve that kind of connection.

The "cool motive, still murder" type discussions IME generally come from perceived differences in emphasis: The author might think the "murder" part is a foregone conclusion and focus more on the cool motive, which the reader might read as deemphasizing the murder bit. Sometimes story is a series of misunderstandings. :)