What To Do with Beta Reader Feedback
So you have a bunch of feedback from your beta readers. Now what?
First off, celebrate! Not only have people read your work but they took the time to help make it the best it can be.
Next, let’s look at some common types of feedback and how to tackle updates.
Four common types of feedback and how to approach
1. In-line Grammar feedback
You’re going to have typos and awkward phrasing, especially if you received feedback on a first draft. After all, most writers intend for a first draft to be a mess!
These errors are probably the easiest to fix because you only need to read the sentence to understand what the typo is supposed to say. With phrasing, you may need to read a line or two before the sentence in question. This helps you understand what needs to be said.
However, this process is still quick and mostly easy. No need to get sucked into the story and the finer details, you can check off each of these feedback items quickly.
2. Pacing
If your beta readers left any feedback on pacing they would have let you know what parts of the story were too fast or too slow. Before you start rewriting scenes or creating a pie chart based on scene length there’s something to consider.
Was it only one beta reader that pointed out the pacing issue? Well, do you agree with them? When a beta reader gives you feedback, think about it carefully. Decide if you understand their point and want to make changes. If not, you can ask more beta readers to focus on pacing feedback.
Feedback specific to pacing may be detailed, letting you know what dialogue drags on, what's missing or what feels like unnecessary filler. In this case it’s easy to jump into a scene and quickly tweak it. Vague feedback however, could be a few readers saying the middle is slow or they lost interest after chapter four. You may need to check in with them. Ask questions to find out if the issue is plot, dialogue, character depth, or something else.
3. Character Depth, Arc, and Consistency
Consistency can be a quick fix, maybe a reader realizes your character had brown eyes in one chapter and now they have green eyes. However more commonly there’s inconsistency in character behavior. Readers may point out that one character is shy and reluctant to act at the beginning and suddenly they’re a huge daredevil and leading the mission without any insight into how and what caused them to change.
With this kind of feedback it’s important to look at the character’s growth arc (you can even plan out their arc with this template). Once you understand the character arc you want, look at how the characters act in the story. Then, you can find important scenes. In these scenes, you can change their behavior to match their personality. You can also add more details or events. This will show how and why they have grown.
Similarly you may get some feedback that says a character is flat, has no motivation, or personality. Just like how you reviewed their arc and updated accordingly, you would do the same but instead adding character quirks, or insight into who they are and what they want.
If you need help keeping track of a character’s traits, motivations, and other factors, this template might be helpful for you.
Steps for utilizing any feedback
These are only a few common types of feedback. Your readers may notice issues with theme development, worldbuilding gaps, and unrealistic dialogue. They might also comment on the flow of the reading, lack of tension, and shifts in perspective, among other things.
Getting a lot of feedback can feel overwhelming. However, it’s important to think about what readers say. Their input can help you create an even better story.
No matter what feedback you’re getting it’s important to:
Record the feedback so you don’t lose it before you’re ready to use it.
Identify where it’s relevant (specific to a sentence, chapter, different scenes, specific character, or overall).
Determine if using the feedback will improve your story
Use your plot outline and notes on characters, traits, and worldbuilding as a guide. This will help you find scenes to add, remove, or rewrite.
