I’ve now received all my beta readers’ feedback on the contemporary novel that is my work-in-progress. I have spent the past week or so reviewing their input and starting to make the changes I think appropriate.
Most of their feedback is really helpful. A couple of my beta readers had strong technical expertise and provided great suggestions on how to improve the engineering aspects of my plot line (something I know nothing about—I researched this plot line, but I got some things wrong). Another beta reader had legal expertise that supplemented my own. I know what I don’t know in these areas (or at least I did after I read their comments), and I was happy to take their advice.
One beta reader is an excellent copy editor and proofreader. I was embarrassed at all the errors she found. Am I the only one who doesn’t know how to spell “synagogue” or “picturesque”? Well, those mistakes have been corrected. As have many others.
A few of my beta readers are also novelists, and they gave me constructive pointers on character development and language. The writers in the group pointed out how often I repeated myself. Too much sighing and frowning and grimacing, for example. So as I rewrite, I am searching for these and other words that I used too often. All writers have their pet words and default ways of describing scenes. Those are fine for first drafts, but before we publish, we need to reach beyond the obvious for more unique phrasing.
While each reader brought his or her strengths to my project, they all did what was most helpful to me—they reacted to the book as readers. They told me what they liked and what they didn’t, what seemed odd in my plot and what felt right.
Even when their comments were at odds, their input was helpful. For example, some readers told me the book took them back to a corporate world they were glad to have known and glad to have left. Others told me the corporate world I depicted was not like the one they had known. Not all corporate cultures are the same, so I didn’t expect all readers to react the same way to my plot. I will continue to write about the working world I experienced, though I am now aware of what will strike some readers as odd.
It is humbling to see one’s work through others’ eyes, but getting readers’ perspectives is invaluable. I am grateful to all my beta readers. They all contributed to making my soon-to-be-published book better.
Writers, what have beta readers taught you about your writing?
Each reader has their own prism.
Beta reader response is invaluable! Right on! And best of luck with the revisions.
I can’t believe there were any spelling errors. You were so exacting in your agreements. Excited you are moving forward. Very inspiring. All the best.
Barry, I too find it hard to believe that I am not perfect. But unfortunately, that is the case. Theresa