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In the previous issue of Aaron Writes, the primary writer of Aaron Writes received feedback from two different people. This written feedback in writing was important for three reasons.
1) Writers cannot clearly separate what their words say from what they think their words say. Writers sometimes know exactly what they want to say. When they do know exactly what they want to say, they often assume that what they have written is clear and understandable to everyone who reads their writing.
However, when others read their writing, they are sometimes puzzled. The writing is not clear. Others see that the writing could be improved.
2) Writers may write something, thinking it is logical, thinking that others will understand, thinking it is well-written. Feedback from readers may be that the writing needs to be clearer. Such feedback helps writers to reexamine whether or not what they wrote was true to their beliefs. Writers may or may not change their writing, but they need feedback to become more aware of their thinking. They need to ask themselves if their writing actually says what their thinking says. If writers change their thinking, the problem of confusion is eliminated. If writers do not change their thinking, they must consider that other readers may agree with the feedback they have received. They may want to express more reasons to explain their thinking. Such reasons would be connected with the feedback they received.
3) Writers may make grammar, style, or spelling errors. Such errors may be careless, or perhaps, writers are better at writing than at editing their own written work. Feedback will point such errors out.
Receiving feedback can be an unpleasant experience. Often people don’t like to have their mistakes pointed out to them. Still, feedback is a necessary step for writing improvement. We writers must be tough, and we must not let feedback bother us too much. We must listen sincerely to the feedback, consider it, and rewrite. Feedback is a valuable part of the writing process.
One other significant point is that writing and editing are two separate skill sets. Not all editors are good writers, and not all writers are good editors. Some writers need more feedback than others because their writing may need to be edited by those more skilled at editing.
Here’s a task for you. Think about your own writing. Then, then about your editing. Ask yourself if you are more skilled at writing, more skilled at editing, or skilled at both.
The next issue of Aaron Writes will examine where writers may be able to get feedback.
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