Publishing and Self-publishing: Advice for Writers

Constructive commenting

Sharing with you how I filter the feedback and comments I get about my stories. Hindi lahat ng comments ay "constructive" kahit na ang intention ng commenter ay maging "constructive." If you want to learn and improve, hindi rin pwedeng gagawin na lang natin ang comments ng lahat. I guess eventually when you mature as a writer, you will know what is helpful to you and what is not.

Eto yung definition ko ng helpful comments

1. Most helpful - COMMENTING BASED ON FACT OR PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED RULES:

"Yung sinabi mo sa story mo na tumakbo siya papasok ng airport kahit wala siyang flight, para habulin si girl at mag-sorry, hindi pwedeng mangyari yon, kasi dadaan siya dapat ng security check at dapat may ticket siyang dala."

This is a fact that can be verified by third party sources. Many people are aware of this and letting incorrect information go uncorrected in your story might affect its believability and the enjoyment of your readers. This, to me, is the most CONSTRUCTIVE of comments, because katotohanan lang naman nga.

Kung fantasy ang story mo, know that even in your created world, your "facts" have to be logical and consistent. (For example: "Akala ko ba para patayin ang vampires dapat pugutan ng ulo tapos sunugin? Bakit dito sa chapter na to, sinunog lang, deds na?")

2. Sometimes helpful - COMMENTING BASED ON OPINION:

"Yung mga nangyari sa chapter na ito, masyadong similar to this John Lloyd/Sarah movie. Is this  intentional?"

Sa example na ito: OPINION ng commenter na katulad ng kwento mo yung movie ni JLC. Ito ang nabuo sa isipan niya after seeing both stories and applying his judgment. Hindi ibig sabihin na TOTOO ito. Baka yung ibang tao, pag napanood yung movie at nabasa yung kuwento, iba ang judgment.

Kapag author ka at nakakuha ka ng ganitong comment, isipin mo na lang kung helpful ba ito. Hindi lahat ng opinion ay tama (kahit lahat ay may karapatang mag-express ng opinion), kaya kung gagamitin ito as constructive feedback, isipin na lang na "Uy, hindi ito yung intention ko, pero ito yung naging interpretation ng iba -- baka may mali sa pag-execute ko ng kwento, baka hindi malinaw ang pagkakasulat ko."

3. Least helpful - COMMENTING BASED ON TASTE:

"Hindi talaga ako mahilig sa ganitong stories. This story did not make me change my mind."

or

"I love these kinds of stories! This is the best story ever!"

Kapag ang comment ay walang ibang basehan kundi HILIG o TASTE ng reader -- that is OK too, but not necessarily constructive. We cannot change people's minds about what they like or don't like. Siguro tignan na lang para malaman kung ano ang ginawa mong tama, pero hindi tayo masyadong matututo sa mga comment na ito dahil affirmation lang ito ng mga alam na nating gawin.