How to Sort Through Beta Reader Feedback
Novel writing update: Moving goal posts (again), and staying organized
I was hoping to start querying this week, but I’m not ready yet.
After compiling all the feedback I’ve received on my novel from beta readers over the last month, I’ve made some decisions that require another draft edit. This will be draft six technically as I’ve only been counting them as “drafts” when I make my way through the entire book. That doesn’t account for all the times I’ve rewritten Act One or certain scenes or that draft I cut an entire novel spanning flashback character. But for now, sure, six sounds good.
I received feedback and critique from four friends. First and foremost, my writing partner Tamar. She was the first person to ever lay eyes on the thing, so it was extra thrilling sending it her way. As we had talked about, she focused on big-picture edits for me. I spent a few weeks making the changes we talked about for hours over Zoom before handing the draft off to my other readers.
Then I sent it to my friend and coworker, who is a big reader and knows the ins and outs of being a waitress at a country club. I asked her if the restaurant scenes felt authentic to the country club-specific setting. As someone who is not a writer, I also wanted to know how the pacing went, if the plot kept her engaged, and if she had an enjoyable reading experience. She read the entire book in a weekend, texting me along the way. It felt hopeful that she was engaged enough to keep reading in such a sprint!
I also sent this draft to two writer friends. I have trusted both of them with my short fiction before and know they are articulate and caring editors. And they care about me and want me to succeed! Which is probably the most important factor when picking readers, I think. .
Along with a lot of exclamation points and smilies, I sent them a list of specific questions:
What were your initial thoughts when you finished reading the story?
Did you have moments of shock/surprise while reading the story? If so, what parts surprised you?
Were there any moments that felt too predictable?
Was there anything missing in the story? Feel free to share your thoughts here about any questions that came up or things that feel unclear.
Did the characters feel well-rounded?
What are some comp titles for this book? Are there any books you’ve recently read that share similar themes/have similar vibes?
Would you consider this book to be literary fiction? Or does a different genre come to mind?
I’ll admit, I stole most of them from Tamar, who sent her draft to her beta readers a little before me. But these were exactly the kind of specifics I was looking for, too.
Throughout the month of April, I talked to each reader over Zoom or in person and made a list of all their suggestions or sorted through their emailed responses. I'll admit that at this stage in my novel journey, I wanted someone else to tell me what to do. I wanted everyone to tell me it was ready to query or that if there was a problem, here is how to solve it. And even though everyone offered generous suggestions, ultimately, it is up to me. It's my book, and no one is going to love it as much as I do. So I have to take the best care of it.
That is why I took some time to actually process what feedback was given to me. I didn’t dive right into the draft like I wanted to. I purposely stayed out of it. I daydreamed during my walk breaks or while driving in the car. I revisited my novel’s playlist. I took notes in a notebook, or in a Google Doc. I made a spreadsheet, breaking down chapters and scenes to return to and with my own suggestions on how to improve them. (So far, the spreadsheet has been a game changer because I can see everything in one quick glance, and it's making my novel and these edits feel manageable.)
I made sure to ask myself if each piece of feedback I received actually resonated with me and my story. Even if the ideas were good, I meditated on if it felt true to the story. Only I can answer that, which is both liberating and scary. Especially when I’m coming down to the wire where I’m hoping draft six will be the one I query with.
With this sort of unexpected set back, my new querying goal is now the beginning or middle of June. Deadlines are necessary to my process. With all my other work and life responsibilities, I need something to keep this novel on my daily task list, especially when one editing decision in particular feels a little daunting right now.
I need to shorten the first few chapters. Okay, like basically, I need to rewrite the whole beginning…
(If you have been following me, you know I’ve been back to Act One many times before!) But it was brought to my attention that the pacing is a little too slow, and the book doesn’t really take off until around 50 pages in. So I’ve got some work to do.
And yes, I did have a moment or two of panic, laying awake at night, staring at the ceiling wondering how the hell I’m going to pull this off.
But the space this past month was necessary as much as I had to fight it. Every time I take a step back from this novel, the end goal feels farther and farther away and I feel like I’m “wasting time.” Its hard for me to wait for things. But I know that the time away has been beneficial and I’m excited to jump back in this week.
I love the idea of the spreadsheet, keeping in mind for the future!
I love those beta reader questions!! I’ve been asking for comp titles for the book I’ve barely started querying because I feel like my comp titles right now aren’t very good. I also always ask what they thought of the characters. My book is novel 1 in a trilogy, so I’m curious what they think of each character since I know how the story will end at the end of book 3 and what will be revealed!