This week in story lab, we had the rather frightening task of reading through other peoples short story and then providing feedback. I say ‘frightening’ because the thought of someone reading through and critiquing my work had me very anxious, then also having to critique and provide feedback on someone else short story…. Needless to say neither of these tasks are my strong suites.

After receiving the feedback I got I was quite surprised, they seemed to understand exactly where I drew my inspirations and creative writing process within our reading and activities in class. Getting that second pair of eyes to go through and tell me what I can only presume is their honest opinion made me feel more comfortable with the story I had written and I was able to pinpoint what they believe made my short story really stand out and where I should further expand.

After also looking at ‘Transmedia’ this week, I found this process of peer feedback also tied into what we have been looking at with the importance of the audience/ audience interaction with any form of media. Having a peer (member of our target audience) go through my work and give their thoughts on what they liked or where I could improve, was almost in a way; a form of fan mail giving my “audience” a way to reach me and possibly help me truly give my short story the hook and audience intrigue they feel necessary. Of course only relying on audience input isn’t the way you should 100% go, but listening to your audience and trying to at least find a solid medium was something I felt I got out of this activity and will take into consideration if my short story does become my main project.