Sharing My Comments
by Amy on October 11, 2010

This is my reader comments binder. Getting comments on my column is one of the things I like best about being a columnist. Good or bad, I think comments help me understand my readers better.

If I get a positive email from a reader, I feel like I’ve achieved one of my goals as a writer, which is to make a connection with readers; whether they’re currently a part of agriculture, grew up with it, or are fascinated by it and enjoy learning more about our way of life from my columns.
If I get a negative email, I try to understand what the reader is feeling or trying to say and it gives me a basis for striving to improve my writing for my readers. Even though I prefer getting positive feedback, I don’t consider a negative comment a bad thing. I use it as a maintenance tool to keep me on track with readers because if readers are willing to take the time to read my column, I want them to get their time’s worth and want to make every word count.

My favorite comments are those in which a reader says he or she can relate to a particular column. The one column that I got the most response from was Spouses in Translation. I write about subjects related to agriculture and rural living but try to write in a way that would be of interest to readers outside of that lifestyle. It’s a good challenge for me to try to reach a wide span of readers.
Early in my column writing career, I printed off every email comment I received because they were few. Eventually I decided to keep them in a three-ring binder. My goal has been to fill the binder full.

It’s been worthwhile to save everyone’s comments because on tough writing days when I don’t feel like I’m writing anything worth a reader’s time, I read through my binder of comments. They make me feel good and validate what I do.
If you would like to be a part of my book of reader comments, email me your comment at amy@amykirk.com . I would love to hear what you have to say and thanks for reading!
Tagged as:
columnists,
reader comments,
reader feedback,
readers,
writers
Sharing My Comments
by Amy on October 11, 2010
This is my reader comments binder. Getting comments on my column is one of the things I like best about being a columnist. Good or bad, I think comments help me understand my readers better.
If I get a positive email from a reader, I feel like I’ve achieved one of my goals as a writer, which is to make a connection with readers; whether they’re currently a part of agriculture, grew up with it, or are fascinated by it and enjoy learning more about our way of life from my columns.
If I get a negative email, I try to understand what the reader is feeling or trying to say and it gives me a basis for striving to improve my writing for my readers. Even though I prefer getting positive feedback, I don’t consider a negative comment a bad thing. I use it as a maintenance tool to keep me on track with readers because if readers are willing to take the time to read my column, I want them to get their time’s worth and want to make every word count.
My favorite comments are those in which a reader says he or she can relate to a particular column. The one column that I got the most response from was Spouses in Translation. I write about subjects related to agriculture and rural living but try to write in a way that would be of interest to readers outside of that lifestyle. It’s a good challenge for me to try to reach a wide span of readers.
Early in my column writing career, I printed off every email comment I received because they were few. Eventually I decided to keep them in a three-ring binder. My goal has been to fill the binder full.
It’s been worthwhile to save everyone’s comments because on tough writing days when I don’t feel like I’m writing anything worth a reader’s time, I read through my binder of comments. They make me feel good and validate what I do.
If you would like to be a part of my book of reader comments, email me your comment at amy@amykirk.com . I would love to hear what you have to say and thanks for reading!
Tagged as: columnists, reader comments, reader feedback, readers, writers