something real to work with

Photo by Alexey Demidov

he said, the voice is distinct and consistent
but the thinking process and perspective
is strange and off-putting
and none of this shit comes to any
kind of satisfying resolution
by the end I simply wasn’t sold
she said, I guess you have to be okay
with your thoughts being called weird
I mean, in certain ways, the word strange
is actually a compliment — you know,
synonyms for off-putting include
unsettling and repulsive — I suppose
there is some oomph in that, right?
no, not really, he said
I mean, think about it, you need a certain force
to compel things away from you — 
but I guess that’s not what it’s about here…
anyway, she said,
if you’re going to say something, take the time
to articulate actual feedback — 
don’t call something strange or off-putting
and just leave it at that…
a person can’t do anything with that
we are all living in times that are
strange and unsettling — no one
is operating under optimal conditions
all our stories are by nature fucked up, she said
all our perspectives, if we’re being honest,
are going to sound a little twisted
and let’s face it, we are in the business
of distorting realities…it is to be expected
come on, you can do better than that
pick me apart with a little more depth
and specificity — give me something tangible
to work with, otherwise just say no
and move on…
don’t stab me in the side and act like
saying anything is like doing me a favor
he nodded and said nothing

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Garbage Notes:

This is a poem inspired by some unhelpful comments I got from an editor on a story I wrote a while ago.

Basically the main thrust of their feedback was that the story had a good and consistent voice, but the thought process behind the voice was strange and off-putting.

Like, seriously, what am I supposed to do with that?

Plus the usual comments about not having a satisfying conclusion. Because you know, life is ugly and messy, and I honestly don’t even know what a satisfying conclusion even looks like anymore.

But, yeah, in a nutshell, if you’re going to give feedback on someone’s writing, at least make it concrete and constructive and helpful. Like, make it something real they can work with.

Don’t just say blanket statements that leave the author flailing about wondering if their entire story is dead in the water.

Saying things like ‘oh this just feels too weird or unsatisfying’. It’s too nebulous. It’s like, well, there are a million ways to satisfy people. Give me something specific with reasons.

And usually if it’s entertaining it’s because of the engaging voice and the weirdness, not in spite of it.

So, yeah, rant over. Sometimes I write poems that are actually me bitching about rejection.

But every now and then someone sees the good in it. And thankfully, that particular story was eventually sold.

Sometimes it’s just about getting the writing in front of the eyes of someone who is as off-putting and weird as you are.

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Franco Amati 2026

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