The Mistake of "What Do You Think?"

I see people on social media, who post a new haircut, or a new outfit, and ask their friends, "What do you think?"

I have a problem with that idea, and it has to do with stories, of course. Because I post creative work, and I think about it. As far as I'm concerned, the entire universe is made of stories, and not atoms, but that's another blog for another time...

Keeping My Own Counsel

I don't post stories and ask, "What do you think?" of anyone. Not even beta readers.

There's no point, because each person will tell you something different.

Those that like you may or may not tell you the truth, because you're friends and they don't want to screw that up with drama.

Those that don't like you are not likely to like your work anyway. If they're trolls deep down, they'll take a certain pleasure in you handing them your heart on a platter to stick a fork into, chew it up and spit it out into little muscly chunks on the floor...you know what I'm talking about.

Even if they like you, they're brave and honest enough to tell you when you suck, and kind enough to try to do it nicely (such a person is almost a unicorn in this world, so treasure them if you know someone like this), you'll still get very different feedback, based on personal tastes, which is no one's fault.

I actually consider this my fault if I ask this question, and I'll tell you why.

Ask a Better Question

If someone asks me, "What do you think?", I immediately know that person doesn't trust their own opinion. I've done it too, I've been there, but I've learned since then that I have eyeballs. I have my own personal tastes and styles. I know when I like something, or I don't. Sometimes I even know why, and can articulate it.

So, when I post a story, I don't ask, "Do you like it?"

I ask, "How does this make you feel? Does it bore you? Where? Do you feel like it's missing something? What do you think that is?"

Better yet, I ask, "What's your favorite part? What do you like about it?"

That's some real feedback right there.

The World's Best Advice on Critics and Criticism

Right here...