Go Slow and Leave Good Feedback

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   Wow! There are a lot of stories being posted this year! It's amazing! I love everyone's enthusiasm.
The excitement is peaking, we're able to share our stories, everyone is madly trying to read as many as they possibly can… and it's awesome.

But, my advice to get the most out of the forums and to really make it worth your while… is slow down a bit -- just a little… take the time to read a story through a second time… take the time to leave really good feedback. We've got almost two months before the next challenge in September… might as well make it count.

There's often a big flurry of activity here in the week after stories are posted, then it starts to tail off a bit. I can tell already that it's going to take me most of that two months if I want to get anywhere near reading all the amazing stories that have been posted. And I want to take my time… and I want to leave, and receive nice constructive feedback.

jenspenden  wrote a wonderful blog post about feedback -- how to give and how to receive in a way that really benefits you as a writer. Take a look… 

When I first started on the forum during SSC 2015, I took my time and really tried to comment thoroughly on other people's stories. I reciprocated to everyone who read my story and sought out as many other stories as I could. And I took the time to read every story twice. To leave a "first impression" note after a quick read, then detailed feedback using the sandwich technique (favourite bits, nit-picks, overall impression). And in so doing, I learned a lot!! Critiquing (critically analysing for what worked, what didn't) other people's stories was the best writing instruction I've had. And in return, I got lots of excellent feedback from writers of all levels. It doesn't matter what your experience level is… 

We're all experienced readers - we're all the audience for these stories - your opinions on what worked and what didn't are valuable to the author - especially if you're specific. We want to know! Why did you like it? What really stood out? What confused you? What did you have to go back and re-read, and you're still not quite sure? What did you absolutely love? What tripped you up? These are all useful details that will help the writer see what stood out in their piece. 

I'm going to be a bit swamped with work this week, but I'm going to go and critique as many stories as I can over the course of the 2 months. I'll leave detailed feedback. Hopefully the author's will get as much help out of the feedback as I get from the critical analysis…

See you all in the review forum!

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plkphoto Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 14 Jan 2015 Location: AliceSprings OZ Status: Offline Points: 3153	Post Options Post Reply Quote plkphoto Report Post Thanks(8) Quote Reply Topic: Go Slow and Leave Good Feedback Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 9:26am
	Wow! There are a lot of stories being posted this year! It's amazing! I love everyone's enthusiasm. The excitement is peaking, we're able to share our stories, everyone is madly trying to read as many as they possibly can… and it's awesome. But, my advice to get the most out of the forums and to really make it worth your while… is slow down a bit -- just a little… take the time to read a story through a second time… take the time to leave really good feedback. We've got almost two months before the next challenge in September… might as well make it count. There's often a big flurry of activity here in the week after stories are posted, then it starts to tail off a bit. I can tell already that it's going to take me most of that two months if I want to get anywhere near reading all the amazing stories that have been posted. And I want to take my time… and I want to leave, and receive nice constructive feedback. jenspenden wrote a wonderful blog post about feedback -- how to give and how to receive in a way that really benefits you as a writer. Take a look… When I first started on the forum during SSC 2015, I took my time and really tried to comment thoroughly on other people's stories. I reciprocated to everyone who read my story and sought out as many other stories as I could. And I took the time to read every story twice. To leave a "first impression" note after a quick read, then detailed feedback using the sandwich technique (favourite bits, nit-picks, overall impression). And in so doing, I learned a lot!! Critiquing (critically analysing for what worked, what didn't) other people's stories was the best writing instruction I've had. And in return, I got lots of excellent feedback from writers of all levels. It doesn't matter what your experience level is… We're all experienced readers - we're all the audience for these stories - your opinions on what worked and what didn't are valuable to the author - especially if you're specific. We want to know! Why did you like it? What really stood out? What confused you? What did you have to go back and re-read, and you're still not quite sure? What did you absolutely love? What tripped you up? These are all useful details that will help the writer see what stood out in their piece. I'm going to be a bit swamped with work this week, but I'm going to go and critique as many stories as I can over the course of the 2 months. I'll leave detailed feedback. Hopefully the author's will get as much help out of the feedback as I get from the critical analysis… See you all in the review forum!
	FFC 2018 Ch1 Gr62 -- The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)

Schrifty Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 30 Jul 2015 Status: Offline Points: 1231	Post Options Post Reply Quote Schrifty Report Post Thanks(3) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 10:25am
	Agreed. 48 hours and 1,000 words is a rush, but no story is going to come out absolutely perfect with such a tight word count and time limit. And that's ok! We all do the best we can given the constraints. I go into this contest looking for advice - what can I learn? And also, how can I improve what I wrote and try to get it published? A lot of times that's expanding the story beyond the 1,000 word limit over a few weeks of editing and re-editing and every comment I receive is considered during the rewrite process. For me anything you have to say will be appreciated and contribute to a stronger story, so take your time and be honest! Read a bunch of great stories so far, looking forward to the rest!
	MFC2019:R1 G4: Cat Got Your Tongue (Fairy Tale) 2nd Place MFC2019:R2 G16: Second Chances (SciFi)

Archon1995 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 30 Jul 2015 Location: Roswell, GA Status: Offline Points: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote Archon1995 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 11:41am
	My goal is to give feedback on 1-2 stories a day (evening, really), starting with those in my group and then returning feedback to those who gave it to me. And then the ones that catch my eye, or are in genres where I want to see how others handle it. TAKE YOUR TIME. There's no way I can do everyone's story. Not possible. Nor should anyone aspire to it unless they're not working/schooling and don't have significant home/family responsibilities. If that's your situation I have a severe, acute case of envy. Even then, TAKE YOUR TIME. Do try to leave feedback, things you think might be done better or differently. You may not see much to improve on. Often the things I comment on are ways to massage the same thing into fewer words without losing any flavor or context. It's perfectly fair if you don't see anything to improve on, and you can say so. But others may see something, or have a different opinion. You may be the only one who sees it differently. Speak up, if that's the case. We all have thick skin...or need to develop it.
	[insert pithy quote here]

stephenmatlock Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 05 Sep 2013 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 10470	Post Options Post Reply Quote stephenmatlock Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 12:47pm
	Ah yes, this is exactly right. Please do review and savor. Leave sandwich feedback. Give a good effort but don't go crazy. There are 60 groups and something like 2000 entries. Even if only 25% post, that's 500 stories. While I appreciate every bit of feedback, I do appreciate seeing feedback along the lines of "This worked, this didn't work, I think you are the Hemingway of Flash Fiction" type of feedback. Especially that last part.
	This is not the signature you are looking for.

MegOverman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 20 Jul 2014 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 1439	Post Options Post Reply Quote MegOverman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 1:04pm
	All of the above. As I choose who to read, I'm going for people I specifically look forward to reading every year, and any entry that had too great of a synopsis to pass up. But after that, I'm looking for people I see giving good critique. I don't know how true it holds for the forum overall, but the quickest way to fall into my "To Read" list is to show that you read and leave useful feedback for others. I'd hate to spend a bunch of hours over the next few weeks critting my heart out and just getting "cool story, bro" in return. ;)
	Have a glass of wine and take it like a writer. R1 - A Waste of Stars (Drama)

Doodle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 01 Aug 2015 Status: Offline Points: 166	Post Options Post Reply Quote Doodle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 11:56pm
	Yes! Good post! Also I have to say, I might stand a chance because you and Jen aren't in my group this year. ;) looking forward to reading your work.
	R1Gr30Left Behind

maiaco Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 20 Aug 2011 Location: Moon above UK Status: Offline Points: 2595	Post Options Post Reply Quote maiaco Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 7:40am
	Great post! There's plenty of time between now and the next round. I personally love to savour the pleasure of reading stories throughout that time. Its not unusual for me to read a story and then come back for a second read several hours afterwards before leaving feedback. For me, some of the pleasure of Flash fiction is what lives on after a brief read, the impressions that it leaves and the questions it raises. So please don't feel affronted if I don't give feedback on your story immediately. Looking forward to some great reads this summer.
	No baby acorns were harmed in the writing of this story

NRTomasheski Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2016 Location: Sherman Oaks Status: Offline Points: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote NRTomasheski Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 8:00am
	I'm a n00b, and already my favorite thing is the nice, long period between submission and results which encourages this sense of community. I have a weird work schedule, and I thought I wasn't going to be [able to be] much of a participant in the forums ... but that's changed over the past few days. I still can't promise I'll read every story, but ya know what? I'm going to try. And I'll make a comment on each one that I do read.
	~/NRT Flash Fiction 2016 CH1:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oMRbbJcdt4ZpWmFE1aFfSfgnjNJfcnJ38bICs

jenspenden Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Location: Denver, CO Status: Offline Points: 5109	Post Options Post Reply Quote jenspenden Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 8:13am
	I think part of the reason so many writers don't leave more than a couple of positive remarks is because they're afraid to leave anything more. They question their ability, experience, or opinion to point out a story's flaws. But, even if you're brand new to the writing world, you're still a reader. And readers can help authors by telling them what they liked and didn't like about a story. Just remember, be tactful in your critiques. You can deliver negative comments in a positive fashion. If anyone's interested, here's the template I use for my critiques. Feel free to copy and use it. Also, if you follow this strategy (or one similar to it), I guarantee you'll lure people over to your story. I haven’t read any comments above this, so I’m sorry if I repeat anything. [Intro blurb/positive remarks about story] Favorite Lines 3-5 favorite quotes from story Nitpicks Constructive criticism that might revolve around plot, pacing, characters, and/or mechanics [Exit remarks/positive remarks/encouragements] Just remember, the forum is a two way street. You give, you get. You get, you give. Simple as that.
	SSC R1: Remember Us, Remember Everything

plkphoto Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 14 Jan 2015 Location: AliceSprings OZ Status: Offline Points: 3153	Post Options Post Reply Quote plkphoto Report Post Thanks(2) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 8:47am
	Oh … and if you're leaving detailed feedback, it's a good idea to select all and copy your review to your clipboard (or write it on a different document then copy/paste into the forum) BEFORE you hit "Post Reply"… sometimes if it took you too long to write the message it crashes when you try to post… and all your lovely text disappears. So… copy/paste is your friend!
	FFC 2018 Ch1 Gr62 -- The Other Side of the Coin (Thriller)