I try to put my heart into every person that asks for help, but I feel like a few might be intimidated by my number of comments. I give a lot of good, but it seems like it's the improvements they notice most, and they should, because I WANT my fellow writers to improve. My wake up call was like a bucket of cold ice water to the face, and I don't want anyone else to deal with that.
It worked for me, but with others who are more self conscious and less, well, lets say I was a bit egotistical at the time...what if they get turned off writing completely?
When I beta, I usually give all the tips and tricks I know that I think will help them in an area they're struggling with, as well as ones they're good at but can improve on. I believe the more people understand that they can improve, and that writing isn't a you have it or you don't process, the more confident they can be. What can I do though, because I understand not everyone is like this? A little at a time and build up?
I just know there's nothing more frustrating for me than minimal comments so generalized they're not useful at all. It's just hard to realize many others aren't like me, and that numerous in-depth comments aren't necessarily meet with as happy an attitude as mine.
Update:I also really try to be objective. I understand everyone has a different style, so I really try not to push what I would do on them. Want to make that clear before someone asks.
Update 3:One more update. I feel like I should point out that most of the ones I'm helping are beginning writers.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
It is absolutely nothing to do with you, and you should not change the feedback you give. The fault lies at the feet of those who cannot recognise you are trying to help.
The same goes for a lot of us on here. So many people on here try so hard to help other users and, sometimes, the feedback isn't what other users want to hear - we receive abuse and harassment because of it. I received a lovely email just a couple of hours ago accusing me of wanting to destroy someone who might become more successful than me. It does hurt and make you feel like giving up, especially when all you do is try to help. And since I just spent the best part of three weeks mostly away from Yahoo because of unappreciative kids, it isn't the kind of "welcome back" message I was hoping for ...
But the point is you do TRY to help - if the person cannot see that and feel like giving you a hard time, it isn't your fault. It is their fault. At the end of the day the only person they will damage irreparably is themselves. You can't cure a completely self-centred and egotistical attitude so easily.
So you keep doing what you're doing. Give the thorough feedback, because every so often there will be one person who you really do make a difference to - they're the people who matter. Sod those people who can't see the value in the advice you give. :)
Anybody who could be put off writing by a harsh critique, or even a friendly-but-in-depth critique, is not the sort of person who should be writing in the first place. At least not with the expectation that anyone else will ever read it.
Your critique sounds like the sort of thing that a writer who cares about improving their craft would kill to get. The fact that some other writers would rather be told they're wonderful, or just want someone to point out the odd typo, isn't your problem. I would perhaps just warn writers before your first critique that "some people find me overwhelming" or "some people who asked me for an honest critique were surprised to get one." If someone changes their mind as a result, it's a win-win - you don't get to waste a lot of time on someone who won't appreciate it, and they get to carry on believing they're much better than they are.
Exactly what BN said. The fault lies with the writer, not you. If they're the ones asking for help and subsequently cannot accept thorough criticism that's their fault.
She is also right about how some users get angry when you give a fair and honest review or constructive feedback that isn't showering them with praise. I've been told countless times I must be jealous or I'm a failed, washed up writer who hates seeing anyone else succeed. It's so untrue it's laughable. I want to see writers succeed and do well. Granted I am not nearly as successful as I'd like to be, but that doesn't mean I want others to fail.
Keep doing what you do to help writers and don't let those who are too full of themselves get to you. Those are the ones who will likely burn out and give up. The ones who appreciate your feedback and accept it will be the ones who improve in the long run.
A lot of good answers here.
It's up to the writer to accept or ignore your suggestions. Step back and don't take it to heart if they choose to reject your thorough work. Remember that it is the writer's story, not yours. If the writer consistently ignores or rejects, maybe you and she are not a good fit, and you both should decide to part.
A good answer here was that you should treat your writer as one who knows as much as you do about how to write. Don't "talk down" to her. Remember how obnoxious Lucy in Peanuts could be.
It's up to the author to decide if they want to implement the suggestions.
If you're explaining WHY without trying to redirect the story elsewhere, a writer would approach it openly. But no need to reinvent the wheel, assume the writer KNOWS all the tips and tricks.
In your Beta profile you should be specific about how you work. I tell people I will apply specific rules and then they know if they want me to Beta them. If someone reads my profile and comes to me, he or she knows exactly what they will receive.
If your Beta Reading feedback is anything like your question, yes. You go FAR overboard, and most likely swamp your contacts, thereby losing 99% of the assistance you try to give out.
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simply Simple. 3 Points of Feedback, dealing with the TOP 3 issues you perceive need it. good/bad for each one.
Character Development. Plotline. Readability (grammar, etc.). Only ONE tip for each of the 3. Anything more is overboard, and overkill.
Anyone who find someone willing to put any sort of effort in this should than their lucky stars.