The first time I got my first short story collection edited, I was a nervous wreck.
I needn’t have been because having a fresh pair of eyes helped take my stories to a new level – a level that would have taken me many years to have reached, if at all.
Before publishing my second collection of short stories, I asked several friends to read my stories first and give me feedback. Then, I sent the book off for editing.
Of course, I didn’t take all the advice of my editor or those who read my stories before publication, but I’d often meet them halfway.
The initial editing process provided reassurance about receiving feedback. However, the subsequent editing rounds, along with feedback from beta readers, amplified this confidence. The fear of criticism no longer holds me back. What’s there to be afraid of? There’s nothing to fear. After all, why write if nobody will read it?
How To Treat Poor Feedback
A negative review or feedback may initially shake you, but it must never deter you from pursuing your writing. Constructive criticism, even if negative, has the potential to enhance the quality of your stories and writing, so don’t ignore it.
Of course, feedback comes in various shapes and sizes. Feedback such as ‘great story’ doesn’t hold much weight, making me question the purpose of such comments. I would much rather receive good, honest, constructive feedback than be told that my story was simply great.
Like boiled eggs and soldiers, writing and feedback come hand-in-hand. But where is this all going?
How Story Chat Started
In 2020, writer and blogger Marsha Ingrao asked me to write a story for Story Chat, a new feature she was in the process of creating where anyone can submit a story, anyone can read it, and anyone can give honest feedback about it. I jumped at the chance.
I was honoured to be the first to have a story, The People Under The Stairs, published on Story Chat.
Fast forward to 2024, and Marsha’s blog’s Story Chat feature has achieved remarkable success. With over 20 authors and writers actively participating, a book highlighting the first two years of stories, along with reader feedback, has been published.
What’s Inside The Book?
The plethora of 22 stories encompasses a wide array of genres, each captivating in its own right.
What truly captivates me is the unwavering dedication of all the authors who not only poured their hearts into their stories but also embraced the invaluable feedback they received. It’s incredible how the majority of the feedback proved to be beneficial, guiding the authors towards refining their narratives. Ultimately, the decision to undertake a rewrite lay solely in the hands of the author, a testament to their artistic autonomy.
Not only do I have two stories in the Story Chat book, but I also have a few favourites in the book.
Did I Have A Favourite Story From The Book?
All the stories are immensely enjoyable and entertaining, but there’s one that truly captured my heart – ‘Dress for a Princess‘ by Wendy Fletcher. It’s an absolute gem of a story that had me on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath as I reached its spectacular ending. This is precisely what I crave in stories – an unexpected, brilliant twist that leaves me in awe.
Wendy Fletcher’s ability to weave such a captivating tale is a true testament to the power of storytelling. Wendy’s story is a prime example of the magic that unfolds within the world of short story literature, where authors can transport readers to captivating realms filled with intrigue and wonder in so few words.
All of the authors whose stories feature in the Story Chat – Online Literary Conversations book are prime examples of taking readers on entertaining journies that stay with you for a long time. They are also masters of short story writing.
Why not take a chance with Story Chat? Purchase the book or contact Marsha to contribute a story for the feature.
Do you enjoy reading or writing short stories? What advice can you give writers thinking of writing short stories? Is short story writing something you’re thinking about doing? Do you have any questions about ‘Story Chat’ or writing short stories? Leave them in the comments section.
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Congrats on being part of this new book Hugh. A very interesting concept in writing, sharing, critiquing together, then collaborating on an anthology. I’ve added to my TBR. :)
I’m honoured to have played a part in creating this anthology, Debby. It’s the first time I accepted a request to be part of an anthology. Marsha has done an amazing job with Story Chat and getting the book to publication. I hope you enjoy the stories. Don’t read my stories at night, though.
Lol Hugh, I already know that about your stories. :)
Hi Hugh, this is a most interesting write up about Marsha’s book, Story Chat. I have it on my pile of reads and will be getting to it soon. Like you, I welcome feedback on my writing and I have my published books and stories edited. My writing has improved in leaps and bounds through these developmental editing processes. I am thankful that I’ve improved sufficiently that I don’t have to restructure my entire book anymore. The comments are lessor in nature with is a tribute to the learning process. Of course, the writer has to be open to learning from the feedback as you say.
When I think how I used to write 10 years ago before I published my first blog post, I can see a vast difference in how I write now, Robbie. And it’s all down to the feedback, support and encouragement I’ve received. I can’t imagine not getting honest feedback on my blog posts. I’d be lost without that feedback.
I never get upset or feel down about getting any poor feedback. Often, some the negative feedback doesn’t even go into why the person leaving the feedback though the post or story was poor, so that kind of feedback is not helpful. But anybody putting their work out for others to read must realise that it’s not going to be all chocolate and roses. Negative feedback given in a friendly and professional manner is as important as positive feedback.
Hi Hugh, I agree. I have also grown hugely from positive critisism. I try to leave good comments but sometimes I just liked something and there isn’t a lot to say.
That’s where the ‘like’ button comes in, Robbie. If I have nothing of value to add, I’ll click the ‘like’ button and move on. Nobody minds if you don’t always leave a comment.
As a retired educator, I am a huge proponent of the power of collaboration. Not all feedback is created equal, but developing a sense of trust with like-minded folks is huge. Of all of the things I’ve done in the last few years to develop better writing skills, the most valuable has been to find a supportive writing group who can lift us up but also can be honest enough to tell us where our work is missing the mark.
Being honest is what feedback is all about, Pete. It’s a shame that some of those who leave feedback can not be more honest by simply saying ‘Nice story’ or Great post.’ But I also think it helps being face to face with someone so you can see facial expressions of the person you’re giving feedback to.
I dislike any feedback that is not honest, especially when it is only given so as not to upset the person it’s being left for. That kind of feedback does not help anyone.
Totally agree. If we want to improve as writers, we need honest feedback. My writing group meets weekly in person. One of our rules is that everyone in the group gets a chance to critique a piece before the author responds. It’s one of the best methods because it encourages the writer to listen carefully to the feedback. Once everyone shares, we move into open discussion where everyone, including the writer, participates.
That’s a great way to receive feedback. And I’m guessing those in the group say more than simply that they enjoyed reading the story.
As a retired educator, also, I think your comment is right on target. I’d love to have you jump in with “Arfer Understands Everything,” and share your honest thoughts with Doug and the rest of the Story Chatters. Educators are good at giving feedback, right?
I enjoy Story Chat very much, Hugh. I have a story coming up later this month. It’s my first time participating. I’m looking forward to it and I’m a little nervous.
Welcome to the Story Chat community, Dan. I look forward to reading your story. And thank you for all the feedback you have left on the stories so far.
I wasn’t sure, at first, what was expected, but I enjoy the process. I enjoy reading what others think. I’m going to try something out of my comfort zone.
You have been an awesome commenter, Dan. You have the right mix of encouragement and honest and practical ideas to help the authors. We look forward to reading your story in a couple of weeks. I’m loving your book, The Evil You Choose this evening while my husband plays in a poker tournament.
I’ve always thought this was a unique idea to publish a book based on the stories and feedback. I bought one but the formatting was weird. Marsha gifted me a signed paperback! Our blogging communities are really something, congrats on yours in there, too, Hugh, and hope to see more of these in the future!
The formatting was a problem, with little help from Amazon. I felt so sorry for Marsha as she tried to sort out that problem, Terri. Thankfully, somebody came to the rescue and sorted it out for her. Good to hear Marsha gave you a copy of Story Chat.
I think Marsha has another book planned, but I know it takes a lot of time to put one together. I hope you’re enjoying the stories within Story Chat. They make for some fantastic reading, and I high recommend ‘Dress For A Princess.’
Hey, Terri. Colleen and I figured out that she could upload the corrected copy herself. I think it was mostly messed up on Kindle Unlimited. Once you got it that way, you were doomed. But she finally got a copy for Kindle that worked. I know we have all learned a lot as we move forward to create something even more amazing for the next time. I’m grateful to Hugh for hosting a tour post for Story Chat: Online Literary Conversations. I wonder what we can call the next one. :)
Hi Hugh. I wish I was braver about leaving comments on another person’s writing. I am so concerned about hurting feelings. The only Story Chat I felt completely okay critiquing was Gary’s AI piece, but only because he is a good writer and he didn’t write it himself. I did leave a very small suggestion about POV on another writer’s story but the response was such that I knew the author didn’t want to consider it.
I do love Marsha’s series and always look forward to a new story on it. I appreciated the feedback my story received and I hope to participate again next year.
But why would you hurt anyone’s feelings, Janis? I don’t see why anyone would get upset with feedback providing it’s been left in a professional and friendly manner. You’re actually helping somebody by leaving constructive feedback. We are all human, so we all make mistakes. And whist an author may not agree with some or all of your feedback, I know that many will be thankful to you for taking the time to not only read their story, but also for leavening thoughtful feedback.
I don’t think any author takes onboard all feedback, but what feedback they do take will certainly help them take what they have written to a new level. Of course, it’s up to them what they do with feedback, but remember that the majority of feedback (including yours) helps makes a writer and author become even better at what they’re doing.
I also think that leaving feedback that does not help in any way, including saying things like ‘I enjoyed this, great story’ when the person leaving that type of comment doesn’t mean it, can have the reverse effect of good, honest feedback. Far better to be honest.
I hope you do participate again next year. I enjoyed your story very much and hope the feedback I left you was helpful.
You are right, of course, but I still am hesitant to leave honest feedback in some cases. It’s easy to tell someone positive things about their writing (although, input more useful than: “great story!”), but honest critique can be difficult (to give and to hear). Bottom line, Hugh, is that I appreciate honest feedback so I need to get over my discomfort and offer the same to others.
As I said, providing it’s honest feedback given in a friendly and professional manner, then you don’t have anything to worry about, Janis. Being honest is the best approach.
Thank you for your kind remarks, Janis. Sometimes we do get carried away and passionate about our thoughts and concerns. But the authors in general are like you, they want to improve. We all know that we can improve, but we don’t always know how. I also think we have a profound respect and concern for each other – feelings, and what is happening in our lives. I appreciate each one of our authors and enjoy reading their work. Thanks for being part of Story Chat this year.
I can imagine how hard it is to accept “suggestions” when a writer has put their heart and soul into a story. For growth as a writer, it’s a necessity. I can read how much thought you have put into this post, Hugh.
I agree, Suzanne. Feedback can have huge potential for any writer, providing it’s good, constructive feedback. You have to be thick-skinned, and nobody should be afraid of leaving feedback providing they have read what they’re leaving feedback on and what they’re are saying will help the author.
Without feedback, I’d never have gone on to publish any of my short stories. And I can thank enough those who take the time to leave me feedback.
Thanks for your lovely comment, Suzanne. Putting thought, heart, and soul into everything he does is a signature of Hugh’s. He is the reason Story Chat got going and is so popular today.
That’s amazing! I like the idea of gathering several authors and their stories. Fantastic! And congrats on your appearance in it, Hugh!
It’s my first appearance in an anthology, Erika. I’ve turned others down because I didn’t want any of my stories appearing in a book where some of the other stories were, in my opinion, not written very well or they weren’t suitable for the theme set by the person putting the book together.
I understand. I am even more happy for you that everything fit so well with this book. Again, congratulations 😊
I didn’t realize that, Hugh. I assumed that you had been in several anthologies. I’m even more honored that we put this together, then. No one could mess up on the theme because we didn’t have one, LOL!
No, this is my first appearance in an anthology, Marsha. Some of the other anthologies I was invited to submit a story for have had some poor reviews about some of the stories that appear in them. All books get poor reviews, but I’m glad I went with my gut feeling of not participating.
Well we will be lucky to get any reviews, Hugh! LOL And then having the glitch with Amazon Publishing sure didn’t help. I’m still glad we did it. I think it’s a great product. I am proud of all our authors. I don’t know how marketable anthologies are without a big name behind them, and I am not a big name. Robbie is more experienced at anthologies than I am. She has been in several. I’m glad we did it, but it takes some skill at marketing. I love your post about it.
Marketing is something many self-publishing authors are not good at, Marsha. It can be a lot of hard work for little reward. But you must be very proud of publishing such a wonderful book that is full of amazing and engaging short stories from very talented writers. All your hard work has come together with the publication of this book. The cherry on top of the cake, I’d say.
You are right about all of that! I am very proud of the book and the authors, Hugh. I don’t know that the reward is small if it makes people happy. But it is probably not going hit the New York Best Seller list – like Chicken Soup for the Soul books by Jack Canfield, for example.
Never give up hope, Marsha. Sometimes, best sellers can simmer for a very long time.
That’s good to know! Thanks for the encouragement, Hugh. You are a rock star! :)
Hi Erika, thanks for stopping by leaving a lovely comment. Hugh wrote such a powerful book tour post. He has been the force behind Story Chat. Bloggers need each other to create great things, and I am so proud of all the authors in this book and of the unique blogging program that has evolved from the seed idea that Hugh and I shared over three years ago.
I’ve never really made any progress with short stories, even though I loved doing them at school, got good marks for them and they ignited my love of writing. A couple of years ago I got a runners-up spot in a local regional competition but other than that have not done so well.
But I do have experience of feedback of course, with my scripts, and you are right, it is invaluable. More than that, it’s essential. The first response to feedback is an emotional one, any criticism feels way stronger than any praise. So I always put it away and come back to the feedback the next day or so and I can’t think of any time it hasn’t improved my work considerably. The play I’m working on at the moment has been completely reformed by different people making the same observation, separately. I resisted at first but they were right, and the improvement is considerable.
I’m pleased you’ve done well with these short stories, your thrill and enjoyment at being involved is clearly evident.
How good to hear that it was the writing of short stories that ignited your passion for writing, Paul.
As writers, I think we all develop a love for a form of type of writing. For me, it was when I discovered the TV show ‘The Twilight Zone.’ After watching only the first episode, my love of twisted endings put me on the path I find myself on today.
You have to be thick-skinned with feedback, and I think you do right by coming back to it another day. The majority of those who give us feedback are trying to help us develop whatever it is we have given them to read and make it even better. Of course, we don’t need to take everything onboard, and some feedback may be contradicting, but, nonetheless, it helps us take our writing to a new level. It also taught me the excellent lesson about never publishing a first draft of anything. That’s a mistake I see many bloggers make, especially when responding to writing challenges.
Oh yes, developing a think skin is essential. These days I’ve a skin like a rhino!
Thanks for your comment, Paul. We haven’t ever had a play, Paul. You might consider submitting a short (1500 words) play for Story Chat – if there is such a short play possible! :) We had our first children’s book this year submitted by Robbie Cheadle, if you know her. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Hugh and how much fun it has been putting this program together with his help and suggestions. It would not be in existence today were it not for his impetus and continued support. It’s not only hard work for the authors, but it it is hard work for those who comment, to walk the line of encouraging and yet not giving the carte blanche of approval to a story that needs some work. We sometimes get off on tangents. Some of those are very cathartic.
I think honest feedback is the most valuable “tool” for any writer. Yes, you need thick skin at times, but it is difficult to see beyond your own words and their meaning after a while. I used eight very different beta readers for my memoir (all super helpful in their own ways) and hired a developmental and copy editor afterwards, before two proofreaders gave the manuscript a last look through. And, I still found typos afterwards!
Those pesky typos happening to the majority of us, Liesbet. But it’s good to see how much work you put into ensuring your book was ready for publication. I’ve see some blog posts and books where it’s clear no editing has been done. And the authors wonder why they are getting one star reviews or no engagement.
And you’re right about having to be thick-skinned. However, providing feedback is done in a friendly and professional manner, I’m happy with whatever they say. It’s the ‘nice story’ feedback that I don’t get. Why even leave feedback like that as it certainly does not help me.
Hi Liesbet, thanks for your comment. I hear what you are saying about typos. They are the bane of my existence. We went through two editors, and of course, the authors and chatters in publishing the anthology. We still found errors. It’s frustrating!
I’d love to have your join our team of chatters and authors. A new story by Doug Jacquier just came out on Tuesday. I’d love if you checked it out and left a comment :)
Story Chat sounds like an amazing endeavor with so many authors involved. Thanks for sharing, Hugh.
It’s something I’m very proud to be a part of, jan. I’m delighted to have two stories the book.
Hi Jan, thanks for your response to Hugh’s great post about Story Chat, Online Literary Conversations. We just published a new story on Tuesday. I’d love to have you check it out and leave Doug your feedback. It’s like being in a book club and writing group for authors rolled into one. Hugh was so instrumental in getting Story Chat started and keeping it going. It simply would not exist if not for him. And now it has grown by leaps and bounds because of his and other author’s amazing support. :)
Story Chat sounds brilliant. I am so glad you’ve found it so helpful. What a wonderful community.
It’s a brilliant idea, Esther. And the majority of the feedback is good honest feedback that you can work with. If you ever want to submit a story for Story Chat, Marsha will make you most welcome, as will the Story Chat community.
That’s lovely. So good to know. I’ll look into that. Thank you, Hugh.
Hi Esther, let me echo Hugh’s invitation to submit a story for Story Chat. We have an excellent lineup of authors, some published, some not, but all active bloggers. We are a very eclectic group that all love writing and reading. It’s a unique program that is not for the thin-skinned, but not for the super critical either. The feedback is honest and each participant tries to be helpful.
Hugh, this is a brilliant review and great advice to writers everywhere! I loved Wendy’s story, too. I had several favorites. Both of yours were favorites of one of the editors at Amazon.
You are so right about feedback. It is hard to take sometimes. Yvette said, “I put on my thickest skin.” I wince a little at some of the comments that come in, but they are all good comments that an author would pay a lot of money to receive from a developmental editor.
Thanks again for writing this great review. I’ll write up a post to link today. :)
Hey, Marsha, I was going to email you with a link to this post, but you’ve beaten me to it. I’m glad you like the post. I’ve been working on it for 3 weeks and wanted to get it exactly how I wanted before pressing the publish button.
You certainly have to have thick skin when it comes to feedback, but providing it’s done in a professional and friendly manner, then any feedback is good. Not everyone will enjoy what you have written, but if they tell you why in a friendly manner, then that’s ok with me. The worse feedback for me is when somebody just tells you ‘great story.’ That doesn’t tell me anything or even if they’ve read the story.
Thanks for the hard work you put into Story Chat. I’m behind in catching Gary’s recent story, but will get around to it. Without you, Story Chat and the Story Chat would never exist.
Without you it would never have come into being either! I may help keep it going, but WE (you and I) started it, and you and all the other authors keep it going. It’s been a great ride. I’m much more relaxed about it now mostly because several authors have sent in their stories early, so when someone can’t make the deadline, I don’t have to cancel, I have backups.
I’ve forwarded your post to Wendy, who sometimes takes a while to catch up online when she’s away working. She will be thrilled. :)
Thanks, Cathy. Does she have a blog? I’d like to link to it if she does.
Her story was truly amazing. Ever since I first read it, I’ve never forgotten it or the ending.
Wendy can be found at https://wendywordsmith.com/ . (I’ve also posted a link to your post on my blog.)
I’ve linked to her site, thanks, Cathy.
This comment you left has shown you as ‘Anonymous.’ Can I ask you how you left it? Was it via the Jetpack app, the WP Reader, or on a tablet or desktop?
Thanks for the heads-up. My Outlook has started opening links in Edge instead of my default browser. For some reason Worpress doesn’t recognise me in Edge and asks me to log in – which is a waste of time because it still calls me ‘Someone’.
I’ve just been into Outlook settings and found where to change it back.
Thanks for letting me know, Cathy. I’m thinking that this ‘anonymous’ comment problem may have something to do with which browser is being used when leaving comments.