In the latest in their “Mistakes Writers Make” series, the Writer’s Digest editors urge writers to ask questions during the drafting process. “We shouldn’t approach our revision process as if it’s something we need to get a good grade on,” they writes. “Revisions should be fun.”
Many private writing groups are modeled on the academic workshop – work is passed around and the writers sits silently while the other participants give their feedback. The writers may get a few moments at the end – if any – to ask questions or respond. While traditional, this doesn’t always allow the writer to get effective feedback. (ed. note – I hate this model and have left groups that adhered to it too strictly.)
The article’s authors suggest other methods, including more back and forth between the writer and their critique partners. “If you’re overwhelmed by the prospect of getting a longer work’s feedback all at once, you can absolutely split up your document into smaller parts and give your reader the material piece by piece,” they suggest. “Or, if you find that you never get feedback on the parts of your work that you really need feedback on, draft a cover letter asking people to focus on specific areas. Or, better yet, dictate the flow of feedback by only asking your critiquers to answer a series of questions that you ask—a workshop structure called The Asking—which will cut down on unnecessary chatter and give you pointed advice only on the aspects you want advice on.”
