McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

"It's nice."

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FishStampede:
Is there any worse feedback to get? In my creative writing class today, my two peer reviewers had little of note to say about my story, other than "It's good," "I like it," "It's nice," etc. I managed to squeeze a few more helpful bits out of them, but in the end I came to the conclusion either my story is absolutely goshdarn perfect, or they're just being...nice. Maybe it's just because I had the misfortune to go first.

How can you get good, useful feedback from people?

Shecky:
Do what Jim does: ask three questions.

1) What did you like about it and why? Please be specific.
2) What did you dislike it and why? Please be specific.
3) Any other comments?

And require an answer to all three.

LizW65:
When I was ready to show my novel to my beta readers, I compiled the following checklist. All or some my apply:
1. Does story have flow? Do individual scenes hang together in a cohesive way?
2. What can be done to make opening scenes more compelling?
3. Are characters engaging? Which did you like/dislike, and why? Are their voices individual enough?
4. Does the overall plot make sense? Is the solution too obvious/not obvious enough?
5. Any plot holes you can drive a truck through? Inconsistencies of plot/character/continuity? Explain.
6. Do any characters behave in ways that are too stupid to live, or that seem out of character?
7. Are everyones' motivations clear and consistent, except where deliberately ambiguous?
8. Which scenes "work" for you and which don't? Why?
9. Any glaring anachronisms or factual errors?
10. Is the story suspenseful? Does it have a sense of urgency and build to a climax?
11. Is there sufficient balance between action, plot-driven, and character-driven scenes?
12. Is the overall tone consistent? Anything you find jarring and why?
13. Overall, does the story hold your attention? Do you care about the characters and what happens next?
14. Any errors of spelling and grammar?

Lanodantheon:
Actually there is worse feedback than "It's nice." IMHO: None at all. No reaction. No comments. Not even a flame. Just nothing.


But that's just from personal experience.

FishStampede:
Yeesh. Posting it on, say, DeviantArt I can see how yours might get lost in the shuffle, but how is that even possible for a peer review? Don't they kinda have to say something?

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