It has been one year and three months now since the day I started practicing writing. Because I have been the writer, the editor, and the only reader of my articles, my improvement was very slow. Then, to make some changes, I forced my articles on my friends and seniors. Some gave their precious time to read my articles and some didn’t care. Here is some feedback on my writing from some of my friends and seniors.
“Your grammar sucks.”
Here is my excuse: “Well, English is my second language. I haven’t studied English language properly yet. I just read a lot of books written in English and then I started to think things in English which made me write my thoughts in English.”
“Formal and informal writing is mixed in and it is weird to read.”
Here is my reply: “Well, I also feel weird when I read my articles. Pardon me for my lack of knowledge on how to write and when to use formal and informal sentences.”
“Your articles are tone-dead. Dialogues are also weird.”
Here is my excuse: “Well, I have never been to western countries. And, English is not the language I use to speak my day-to-day activities. There are no people who speak English around me. Of course, my articles will only have my tone (not a native English speaker’s tone).”
“There are repeated words.”
Here is my reply: “I tried my best not to use words repeatedly. I will write with great care next time.”
“Sometimes, sentences aren’t smooth to read.”
Here is my reply: “I will study grammar when I have time.”
“Your words are too straight-forward.”
Here is my excuse: “Well, it’s how I normally speak.”
“You need to know what genre you are intending your article to be. Is it a comedy? Horror? or Mystery? Readers need to know what they’re reading. After reading your article, what will happen to your readers’ feelings?”
Here is my reply: “I don’t know. I just want to share my thoughts, ideas, imagination, and experience. I think it is just an informational purpose.”
“I want to ask you one thing. I saw that you are able to recall and write many things which had happened to you. Are you intentionally memorizing everything or do you have a photographic memory?”
Here is my reply: “Haha, I don’t think so. It is just that I can recall almost everything I experienced when I need it. I can’t remember the detailed contents but I just know what happened(from my point of view) and how I felt.”
“You wrote speech or advice you received from others. Are they their exact same words?”
Here is my reply: “No, I rewrite them from my point of view.”
— More feedback is welcome.
Note: I accept constructive criticism but not plain insults.
Dec 6, 2019
