This is a good question. Maybe one of the very best.
I have had this experience, and no, I do not reach out to the reviewer. (I’m not against it; in fact, in the novel workshop we dialog all the time over clarity and word economy.)
For open reviews, though, I read my story over again, and try to figure out where the wheels fell off the wagon. Where I failed to be clear about what was actually happening. Usually, I can see it based upon what they wrote in their review, I can see where it went south, and try to write it better. It’s an important exercise in writing. (And that’s what I’m here for: to get better!)
When this happens, because we know what’s in our head when we’re writing a story, it’s our job to make that story jump off the page and convey the facts. So the responsibility is on us to get it right. It’s never happened that I can’t figure out where I could have done better.
And I do edit right then and there, by the way.
Carol St.Ann
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“I write because I’m a better person when I hang out with people who only exist because I made them up!” —Me