Last week we discussed how to give a critique of a manuscript as a writer, and this week I want to cover how to give feedback as a reader. Beta readers are people who read through the story to see how it impacts readers. It’s about the emotional response and thrill of reading. You don’t have to pay attention to character development and plot arcs as much. Instead, you are trying to understand how you as a reader respond to the story. Typically, beta readers are used after the manuscript has already been through critiques and the author feels they have a solid story.
Beta Reader Feedback
It’s often hard for authors to turn off their writing brains and be true beta readers. Because of that, I would recommend finding non-writers to beta read your manuscript. However, if you do beta read for someone (or want an author to beta read for you), here are 20 questions to answer that will help the most in this stage of book development.
- Were you able to quickly orient to the story and setting, or did you feel lost for a while at the beginning?
- Did you feel immersed in the book so the story seemed to happen around you?
- What were your genre expectations and did the book meet them?
- What plot holes or illogical points in the story did you notice?
- Was there anywhere in the story when you were confused and didn’t know what was happening? If so, when?
- What is your favorite scene and why?
- What is your least favorite scene and why?
- Could you relate to any characters? Which ones and why?
- Who was your favorite character and why?
- Who was your least favorite character and why?
- Did the cast seem too large to keep the characters straight or too small for a well-developed world?
- What did the main character want in the story and why?
- Was any of the dialogue not realistic and interesting? If so, where?
- Was there any information you wanted to know but never got? If so, what?
- Where did find yourself skimming the text and why?
- Did the book seem too long or too short?
- Was the ending satisfying? Why or why not?
- Did you get any deeper meaning out of the book? If so, what?
- Did you find yourself thinking about the story hours or days after finishing the book? If so, what were you thinking?
- Would you read the book again or want to read a sequel?
Beta Reader Secret
When we are searching for readers to give us first impressions on our book, we are really looking for how people will react to our story. Because we are searching for this type of feedback, the best beta readers are emotionally aware people. We want to know when our story makes someone laugh, cry, scream, etc. When do readers want to read faster because they are concerned or excited about what will happen next? When do they put the book down because it feels like a good stopping point for the night? Will readers figure out a plot twist before it happens? These are all reactions we want to know so we can make the best book possible.
If you want to be a fantastic beta reader, you need to be aware of yourself and then make notes about those reactions. Mark the text when you feel your shoulders hunching out of stress for the character. State when you squealed out loud at something. Write down what you think will happen next when you think there is a plot twist coming. (That last one will help us know if we are foreshadowing too much or just right.)
Being a beta reader is like watching your best friend’s favorite movie for the first time, and they are watching you more than the movie to see how you react to it. Writers want to see those reactions but can’t watch you read the book (that would be awkward!). By noting those reactions, we can tell what we do well and what we need to work on. Basically, we want your running commentary on the page. So, let loose and have fun. Make it a discussion with the author if nothing else. “I hate that you let this character die!” or “I wish this man was real so I could date him.” Just have fun with it and give your open and honest reactions to what you read.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, being a beta reader is the best. You just get to enjoy the story and then tell others why…or why not. It helps you realize more about yourself and what affects you, and it can give you ideas on how to impact readers in your own books. My only request is, if you read a book for an author, please don’t just tell them it was good and you are ready for the next one. That is encouraging, but not helpful at all. Let them know what you feel and why (if you can) so they know how to proceed with their book.
Thanks for reading!
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