Writing Groups: Friendly,Devoted Feedback

This is a copy of my guest post on J.H. Jones blog on writing groups. You can find the original post and others here: https://www.jhjones-author.com/post/friendly-devoted-feedback-guest-post

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I’d struggled over my short story. It was so woefully unlike our O. Henry reading assignments. In my room, alone with my looseleaf paper as blank as my brain, I jotted down thoughts no doubt as adolescent as I was. The result, I knew, held all the punch of a soggy pancake.

My sophomore English teacher plunked the story on my desk. A red “C-“ splashed across the top margin. As she stomped back up the aisle, I cleared my throat. Like a hungry Oliver with an empty bowl, stammered, “Excuse me.” She glared, but I soldiered on, “How do I make it better?”

My startled teacher paused and her glare softened just a tad. She bent down and gave me a few tips, suggested further reading, and moved on.

If only this first encounter with feedback had resulted in a prize winning story. Or even a C+. Sadly, the piece was beyond repair. None of O. Henry’s brilliance would ever dazzle on those pages.

But the lesson learned…? Ah, now that stayed with me. Feedback! Essential to improving any piece and honing skills. And who best to give feedback—other writers.

My early experience with writing groups came at a community theater with a determined and disparate handful of creatives. With the privilege of meeting in person, we had readings, gave feedback and learned to receive it and held each other accountable for deadlines.

Over the years I’ve exchanged works-in-progress with numerous authors who I met at conferences or writing courses, although the invaluable, not-only-for-women, SistersInCrime.org. Each relationship, now solely on-line, helps me improve the piece I’ve submitted not only with grammar (oh, those dreadful commas!), silly mistakes (“but azaleas don’t bloom there in late September.”), and plot fixes (“I don’t believe that character would allow that.”). It makes me a better writer and keeps me tapping away at my keyboard to meet the next deadline.

Yes, feedback from writing instructors, on-line courses, and the next door neighbor Ralph can all helpful. But, if you haven’t yet, I suggest seeking out the consistent feedback from a friendly, devoted writing group. If you should see an ancient English teacher waving a red pen, run! Otherwise, settle and develop your craft and knock out that best-seller.

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Julie E. Eble is an author and award-winning playwright and entrepreneur. As an amateur birder, she often travels with her husband seeking out new species for their life list. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, an avid reader, and a huge fan of Philadelphia sports teams. You can find Julie on her website www.julieeble.com. Visit her on Facebook and Instagram for her latest bird sightings and author updates.

Her debut amateur sleuth mystery, Dad Didn’t Prep Me for Murder, published on April 15, 2025.