Cultivate the Art of Leaving Comments by Brenda Leyland

"Like cold water to a thirsty (writer's) soul,

So is good news from a (fellow reader)."

Proverbs 25:25, my paraphrase

To a writer, there is nothing more revitalizing than receiving a great comment from a supportive reader. It's the rejuvenating cup of cold water on a hot day. It makes me think of Mark Twain who apparently once said he can live for two months on a good compliment. I can relate, as my own inner self thrives on words of affirmation, although I admit needing them more often than every couple of months.

Crafting a short, meaningful comment on a blog post, or any piece of writing, is sometimes harder than it ought to be. Writers aren't usually lost for words but even so, no matter how short the note, it takes time and effort to create something sincere and expressive. And sometimes it's just easier to click away. Or leave a remark so vague as to be disappointing: 'Great read', 'Nice blog', 'Interesting topic'. No one wants to read that! A single sentence in that case—'Didn't have time right now to share more but please know your words spoke volumes to me'—will certainly do in a pinch. When I want to leave a note but need time to think about what I want to say, I'll go back when I'm not pressed for time.

It's certainly not about leaving a comment on every single thing we read. That's impossible, but when it's a piece that has touched us, that's when we should use our few available minutes to let the author know. When I'm about to click away, I often remind myself to be generous with both my time and my praise, especially when I know the writer could use some positive feedback. 

 

As an avid blogger and a follower of many blogs, it's mainly in this context that I have cultivated the art of composing the tiny gifts of simple, meaningful comments.

As I see it, leaving comments is part of my work as a blogger/writer. Not only do these tiny notes leave encouraging 'footprints' on a blogger's heart, they also leave traces all over the Internet of who I am as a writer. So, I edit, spellcheck, and put my best foot forward, as the old saying goes. I never say, 'it's only a comment'. 

I offer a few tips that have helped me over the years - perhaps you'll find them useful as well:

1. Make a few notes while reading the post or article. It saves time not having to reread the whole thing to find the section you want to reply to.

2. Be specific. Avoid general, sweeping statements that don't say anything helpful. Zero in on one or two details to let the writer know what connects you to the piece: the line that grabs your heart, the turn of phrase you find startling, the book title or a quote mentioned that piques your curiosity. 

3. Look for common or uncommon ground. Do you share similar traditions, experiences, feelings that you can respond to? Perhaps you have a completely opposite point of view. I remember the time when I wrote a tribute to my mom one Mother's Day, and a woman left a comment to say that Mother's Day was not special to her, for she had always had a horrid relationship with her then-elderly mom. I was taken aback by her comment; up until that point I hadn't met anyone who couldn't celebrate Mother's Day with any kind of affection. It deepened my understanding of the world around me... and the people in it. I was grateful for that woman's comment.

4. What if someone else has already said it? Say it again. I get around reusing identical phrases by searching for descriptive synonyms to convey it in my own way. Or you can say, I agree with So-and-So when she says... . Maybe the author needs to know that the same spot in the piece resonates with several people. 

5. Want to leave a critique? If you want to address something you feel needs clarification or you don't agree with, don't be afraid to leave a critique. I like what one writer suggests, "If you are anxious about leaving critiques, create a compliment sandwich. Start your comment with a compliment on an aspect of the work, identify your critique, and finish off the comment with another compliment." —courtesy of Christina Garvis, How to Write Good Comments on Writing, Jan 10, 2023, article on owlcation.com

Cultivating the art of leaving comments has great value. Not only do they support our fellow writers, but more importantly, they create a singular link between the writer and his or her reader. It's returning the favour—and who knows when our comment will lift a discouraged writer when it's needed most. Pour out a compliment on a writer today. And hopefully she'll return refreshed and ready to write more of what we long to read.

  

(Top) Photo credit: Image by Fabi from Pixabay   

Inspired by the beauty of God's world around her, Brenda Leyland writes from her home in northerly Alberta, Canada. She loves writing on her blog It's A Beautiful Life and also posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Her writing has appeared in FellowScript as a former columnist and in InScribe's Christmas anthology. She delights in books and reading, flowers and gardens, afternoon tea, and walks in nature.

C is for Critique Groups by Susan Barclay

  

I have to admit, it's been a while since I was part of a critique group. The one I'd been in for over a dozen years fell apart after the death of one of our members in 2018. Before it could be resuscitated, Covid hit and had all of us taking cover in our homes. Still, I think writing groups are valuable in helping us grow in skill, and the well-aimed critique makes us think and gives us tools for improving.

As I reflected on this topic, I came across this website, which raises a number of helpful points on how to critique well. I won't go into all of them here but simply highlight a few:

1. Make your feedback actionable. If you're vague in identifying problems, the writer may not know how to resolve them, leaving her frustrated and uncertain. If you're clear, the writer can more easily move forward, assuming she agrees with your suggestions and corrections.
   
2. Balance criticism with kindness. Accepting criticism is easier if it is done with the right attitude and delivered in the right tone. Our writing often feels like our "babies," and we can feel hurt when people point out flaws. So don't just identify what's wrong with a piece, notice what's right with it too. Explain what's lacking, convoluted, or incorrect, but also gush about what you loved.
   
3. Keep it honest. If you want someone to say they love everything you've written, don't join a writers' group; show your work to your family members! To develop as an author, though, it's essential to receive honest critiques. Maybe you'll discover you need to work on grammar and punctuation or learn how to ask the right questions; maybe your issue is that you have trouble seeing the big picture; perhaps reading other writers in your preferred genre will prove helpful. Listen to what your writing friends tell you, sift through their suggestions, set your work aside for a bit, come back to it; trust your gut.

My old writing group has gotten together a couple of times for socials over the last two years but it hasn't revived to fulfill its original purpose. An attempt to rekindle a second former group is off to a faltering start as a couple of us are in seasons that make it difficult to write or to meet. At some point it will happen but that time isn't yet. Maybe it is for you.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on critique groups if you've been, or are, part of one. With online options, they no longer have to be in-person. What have you found works for you? 

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For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit her blog: https://susan-barclay.blogspot.com/