September 24, 2014 4:08 PM EDT
For me, I would rather have someone tell me that I'd made a mistake or that something needs tweaked early on. Than to have something polished, finished, and realize that it's either no good, or needs a lot of work. Or, worst of all, that it could be great but I got lost somewhere in the middle and no one told me. Whenever people ask for my opinion, I give it. They can take it or leave it, but I know when I hit "post" that I've done my best to help from a reader's standpoint.
The worst feeling in the world is sugar coating to not hurt someone's feelings, knowing that if they ever do submit it to a publishing house, they're in for a world of tears and hurt, because everyone told them it was SO good. I try to put myself in that position. I'd feel terrible, and know that my friends and family were just being "nice". I'd be afraid of writing anything again.
No, for me, it's best to aways be nice, but honest. That way if the writer chooses not to look objectively at your advice, then they know that there are issues but they are making the choice to not work on them and leave the WIP as it is. If I'm posting something here on Literary Social, or really, any type of public forum, then I welcome honest feedback. Otherwise I'd keep it in a diary under my bed.