Absolutely! It’s why I am very careful what I say and listen for what he’s after. I don’t expect to ever be a critical reviewer for his work, and wouldn’t want to be. At the moment he needs a cheerleader (or 7), later he’ll need polishing and pushing.

“Hope to hear how it’s going at the next meetup.”
Should have a website to promote by then, I’ve got a few more things to install and then we’re ready.

(Charlie: we totally discussed you at the thirdtribe London meetup, I love your heatmap idea, and sent your weirdo syndrome article to aforementioned bf when he was wrestling with his path in life. It really resonated with him, and helped him to embrace who he is, rather than slogging in a horrible corporate job. Thanks!)

(Hey Charlie, me and Karinne sing your praises at the London Third Tribe meetups. We were raving about the Productivity Heatmap last time.)

Thanks for adding that, because it’s a crucial point and one I didn’t even think to include here.

I’m totally with you on (1). I’m constantly telling people “This is a very rough first draft, I’m happy to scrap the whole scene, don’t worry about typos and clunky sentences for now.”

The thing is, it’s actually easier to give feedback on the typo-level than the this-character-isn’t-working level. I’m really impressed with what you managed to do and, if your friend’s drafting process is anything like mine, it’ll have been incredibly helpful to her.

Interesting point in (2), and one I’d not really thought about, so thanks for bring that up. I tend to advise people *not* to rely on loved ones for feedback (see my comment higher up), but in your case it sounds exactly right. Sometimes criticism is going to be incredibly damaging and discouraging, and what you need is a cheerleader, someone focusing on the positives.

(Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way is great for that.)

I’m just starting to learn the guitar, and I’m rubbish and I know it! My fiancé can tell me that I’m getting better (which I am, slowly!) and encourage me to persevere, and that’s all the feedback I want at this stage.

Best of luck to you, and to your boyfriend. Hope to hear how it’s going at the next meetup.

With creative projects, I think you need people who know you and like you well enough that you’re comfortable together … but who aren’t your spouse/dad/sister/best friend.

Yes, artists can be a bit eccentric. (I personally suspect that some people use that as an excuse for bad behaviour, though.)

In terms of separating the wheat from the chaff, I look for:
- Points where the feedback agrees (e.g. everyone thinks I should cut a particular sentence)
- Points where the feedback disagrees but centres on the same issue (e.g. one person thinks I should make more of the relationship between two characters; another person thinks the relationship should be ditched … there’s clearly an issue with that relationship)

I gently filter out anything which seems to come from a person’s own particular concerns. I nod, smile, write it down, but I don’t generally use it.

With the novel, I’m creating because I love to — but also because I have stuff to say and a story to tell. The feedback is invariably useful, even when it’s hard to process. I’ve been struggling through a stuck point, but now I’m rolling again, I can see that the feedback has helped make the structure and the writing stronger.

Ask for the specific level of feedback you want. State what stage the project is at, and what you are hoping to achieve from the feedback. Ali’s concept of levels of zoom may help with this: “I’m looking for high-level feedback”, “I want you to go over it with a fine-tooth comb”.

You will get more value from the feedback and be less resistant to the advice if it’s the fits the area you are trying to address.

Two examples:

1. A friend recently sent me the very first draft – just out of outline stage of her novel. There were typos, voice changes and looooong paragraphs all over the place, which as an editor I itched to attack with a red pen. BUT, this was her first draft, and I was one of a priveleged 2 people who’d been asked to look at it, so my feedback was pitched at a much higher level – related to which bits worked as plot hooks, how I’d reacted to the main characters, a section that seemed to be in the wrong spot for the chapter and recommendation to change the focus of a key scene. The other person provided corrections to the typos. I was told my feedback was helpful and needed, typos correcting wasn’t – yet, that would be for a much later draft.

2. My boyfriend is just starting out on his art career, a precious dream he’s had for most of his life. He’s good, but he sees that he has room to improve his art, to deepen it. As Archan pointed out, artists can be a sensitive bunch. He tells me that my feedback helps him, as it focusses on what is working in the image and I speak in terms of what I like. He doesn’t (yet) want deep criticism of his work. In providing feedback at the level he currently needs he’s (for possibly the first time) not resisting it and not hiding from it, but gaining depth and confidence from talking about his work.

As people who are asked to give feedback we have a precious task – to support the creation and the creator; to be honest, but fair; and to understand what will help at this stage of a project and what is extraneous detail. If there’s other aspects you think need addressing, then mention VERY breoadly what you noticed and graciously offer to help with the next round of feedback “when you’re ready for it.”

If you’ll excuse me for just a moment, I want to take this opportunity to thank Charlie for inviting excellent guest posters to contribute to this blog.

I know this was not the case during the early stages, but taking this calculated risk has yielded rich dividends.

As a reader, I sure enjoy reading guest posts from a variety of intelligent and talented people. The experiment is a success and kindly keep up the great work.

Having said that, you are right on mark, as usual. Your ideas are thought-provoking.

Receiving feedback on your work is great, provided you are able to get your ego out of the way.

Artists are sensitive people and sometimes take the criticism personally.

To receive feedback from your critics “objectively” is easier said than done.

And this is especially the case when you are in mixed company with people who are good at their craft but perfect strangers.

This happens time and again at numerous writing workshops and seminars as well. It can also lead to interpersonal conflicts.

Artists can be an eccentric lot, and don’t always appreciate the feedback, however well-intentioned. In quite a few cases–as I am sure you are aware–things can turn sour.

Throughout history, many of our most creative people have been involved in slanging matches, personality clashes,
finger pointing and playing the blame game. Yes, it can turn ugly too.

So, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Now, that demands an even temper and a mature outlook. In that sense, me thinks, some of our most creative minds have been surprisingly childish.

On the other hand, you would find it very difficult to improve and make progress without constructive criticism.

Every critic can provide an opportunity for you to improve your craft. So, it is a delicate balancing act and you are the trapeze artist. Pray, don’t fall. Cheers!