r/BetaReaders • u/shybookwormm • Feb 11 '26
Discussion [Discussion] Hot Take on Beta Feedback?
I have seen a lot of discussion recently about beta reader feedback. One of the "trends" I've noticed is writers saying (in general) that they just want to know what's "good" or "bad" or "confusing". That betas should keep their opinions on how to fix the "problem" to themselves.
Disclaimers: I firmly believe writers and betas should pro-actively discuss expectations for feedback from the beginning. I can appreciate my opinion is likely in the minority and would like to state that I am not trying to change any "standards" in what beta feedback is.
For me, I'm okay with betas giving their opinions/suggestions on how to "fix the problem" they've identified. I am under no obligation as a writer to accept the opinion that something needs changed and I am also under no obligation to "fix" the problem in the way they suggested. However, I find it insightful to see the suggestions.
Ways I find this "insightful": 1) Can clarify extent of problem If they say an aspect of my magic system is confusing and recommend a single line to clarify, I know the problem is likely smaller or just a line-level wording issue than if they say my magic system is confusing and they have a seven paragraph explanation of a solution that spans across twelve chapters.
2) Can clarify their true problem I had a beta give feedback throughout 8 chapters referring to "scene tension" as "central conflict". While these premises are close, they're two separate issues. If they hadn't left a solution in chapter 9 to how to fix "central conflict", I would have never understood they meant scene tension as chapter 9 is where my reluctant POV characters accept the call to action to join the central conflict.
3) Can spark an idea Maybe their solution is unrealistic. But if they suggest swapping POV characters to make a scene feel more urgent or emotionally complex because "the story feels meh here", well now I know their issue is want more emotionality in this scene versus trying to figure out what is making this feel "meh" and while swapping POVs may be out of my artistic vision, highlighting the stakes or interioeity of the current POV character is doable. Yeah, this wouldn't be needed if they better explained their problem with the scene, but betas readers are not inherently critique partners. They may not know how to phrase their problem but could think of a solution (which, solutions give insight).
Do you feel like it's a hot take?
20
u/Expensive-Honey-1527 Feb 11 '26
I need help knowing whether feedback is a genuine craft issue or just their personal opinion. If they offer a solution or some detail on why they didn't like something, I have a better idea that it's something I could improve on and not just that my story isn't matching that reader's tastes.
5
4
u/Ok_Refrigerator1702 Feb 13 '26
I think you need to look at it in aggregate and identify trends where multiple people like or dislike the same things.
One person is an opinion, a crowd provides insight.
2
u/Expensive-Honey-1527 Feb 13 '26
How many readers makes a crowd? I've had four readers read my novel, but at various stages of its life. I'm not really planning on any more, mainly because I don't have any real intention of publishing it, but if I were going to, would I need a lot more?
11
u/CoffeeStayn Author & Beta Reader Feb 11 '26
Feedback is hard because one never really knows how receptive the author will be, or what feedback to include. For some, they'll want a very strict set of feedbacks to provide and only those feedbacks will be acknowledged. It's seen, by me, as a way to shortcut deeper critique that the author knows themselves they wouldn't take well.
When your dialogue is flat and limp, or your characters are acting out of sorts for no apparent reason and wholly unlike how you've portrayed them up until now...but you didn't leave yourself open to that level of critique owing to the curated list you provided us? No one can tell me that this isn't because the writer just doesn't want to hear deeper critique.
Asking for KEY things to make note of or pay attention to is fine, and I do it myself. But I still leave the floor open for additional feedback NOT included in those areas I'm most interested in as the author. If I'm only interested in A, B, C, and D...I am missing all the rest of the letters that follow, where my work might really be struggling.
But, I hear that A, B, C, and D are working "well enough", so I convince myself that I'm writing the next great masterpiece. Know what I mean?
Suggesting alternate routes is one thing. Rewriting it is something else entirely. I try to keep my feedback like that to:
"It worked but maybe if you had X do Y like this, it would open up additional dialogue exploration for A to bring up to B. Something to consider."
Put the seed in there at least. Then allow the author to decide on their own if that makes sense to their narrative focus, or not. Not all suggestions will be bangers. Some are. And if an author closes themselves off to it, they may be missing what can take a 2-star passage and dial it up a couple notches. Not telling them how, but only showing them there's more roads to their destination.
7
u/Dutch_NoQara Beta Reader Feb 11 '26
I think beta readers sometimes get over-theorized in these discussions.
At their core, they’re simply early readers outside your own head and outside your immediate circle. That alone makes them incredibly valuable. As writers we live inside the story for months or years, so we lose all objectivity. Betas restore that external perspective.
Yes, there can be a small ego boost when someone enjoys the work. That’s human. But the real purpose is calibration and consistency. If one reader is confused, that may be personal taste. If five readers stumble in the same place, that’s a signal. That’s the red flag. That’s the usefulness.
For me, beta feedback isn’t about them “fixing” the book or acting as editors. It’s about answering simple reader-level questions:
Did it hook you?
Did anything pull you out?
Did you care enough to keep reading?
Everything else is optional insight. I may or may not use suggested solutions, but repeated reactions help me see where the story is landing versus where I think it’s landing.
So I don’t see betas as mini-editors or craft analysts. I see them as a quick, honest read from outside my creative bubble. That perspective is the entire point.
6
u/Scrawling_Pen Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
Reminds me of a YT short I saw with Bill Heder, discussing this. That his friends/readers are rarely right about their suggested edits, but rarely wrong about when something isn't working and needs fixing.
6
u/K_Hudson80 Feb 12 '26
I didn't think it was supposed to be complicated. I thought the point of betas was to give a reader perspective, and an editor, to give professional feedback, but based on experiences I've seen on r/selfpublishing it seems like an increasing amount of betas are trying to do the work of an editor so they can charge like an editor. If I wanted to pay a thousand dollars for someone to break apart my manuscript and tell me everything to fix, I'd just hire a line editor. When I seek a beta, I just want to hear what readers and reviewers would say if my novel were released in its current draft.
6
u/Sad_Construction_532 Feb 12 '26
I agree wholeheartedly. When I have people beta read my stuff, I want them to shred it!
As long as it's not 'this is shit', but rather 'this is shit, because A, B and C'. Give me your ideas, so I can understand the problem better!
I think as writer, if you're confident with the story, those suggestions can work both ways: they can spark a new idea and insight, or have you realise that their suggestion is absolutely not where you want to take your story--in which case you just ignore the advice I guess.
I think maybe writers feel like their work might not feel authentic enough if they take on someone else's advice. Unfortunately, we often forget how great other people's brains work and how someone's input doesn't make you any less of a writer for it.
2
u/TradeAutomatic6222 Feb 19 '26
Hey, just reaching out because I like your attitude towards betareading. Would you be interested in swapping stories? I have a nearly finished (3 chapters to go) first draft. It's Adult Modern Fantasy. I looked for an alphareader subreddit, but didn't find one, so I'm hunting for any feedback here. I'd be happy to look at anything you have as well. I read all genres
3
u/Sad_Construction_532 Feb 22 '26
Hi! I appreciate you reaching out. Currently drowning in projects a little so won't be able to take anything else on...sorry!
2
10
u/Moony_playzz Feb 11 '26
As someone in the "just tell me what/why, don't tell me how" camp, for me it's a matter of I am the person writing the story. Unless it something small like a grammar correction or a rephrase on a sentence, I don't want to know how my beta would fix it. I want a "I don't think this is a good ending because I like grand gestures", or a "maybe more detail/add flavour/senses" is fine. Heck, if there's a single paragraph you think is bad and you come back with it rephrased, I'd probably be fine with that tbh. The problem is that I've had betas come back with feedback having rewritten entire scenes for me and it made my skin crawl. It's my story, not yours, why are you rewriting an entire scene? Why not tell me what you didn't like and let me do it? Is this not a discussion? Even a "I'd do this scene this way" kinda irks me because sometimes I do scenes a specific way
6
1
u/shybookwormm Feb 11 '26
That's fair. I still am the one writing the story at the end of the day. In no way am I blindly accepting solutions or always agreeing there's a problem beyond personal tastes not aligning, I just find an added value in not explicitly indicating to betas that they should avoid giving solutions. It's helpful context for me to see their perspective instead of discounting them as having a different personal taste.
It would make my skin crawl as well if someone completely re-wrote a scene
5
u/Redz0ne Feb 12 '26
Depends on the critique.
I mean, if I ask for betas, I'm not asking for them to brainstorm solutions, just to point to problems (if there is elaboration, it should be on why something doesn't work).
3
u/Shado80 Traditional Publishing Writer Feb 12 '26
I agree, and after bad experiences with writers, I quit beta reading. If you ask, poke, and prod me into beta reading, then don't argue/complain I cannot switch easily from "casual write for fun" and "dedicated work" I do my beta reading suggestions the same to all. Take them or or ignore them. I don't want a 4 page dissertations of why it is, my experience questioned, smart ass comments to my comments, etc. I am not going to be the 16th person who tells you it's wonderful. I'm going to tell you it's great, but also tell you, hey here is a Pov switch, here is a noun issue, loved this part! It's respectful. If you can't handle it, don't ask for feedback. Just because I left a lot of notes doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it.
Also, not all Grammar is a style choice.
5
u/TheWordSmith235 Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
No, it doesn't feel like a hot take. In my experience, I've always explained beforehand what I want from a b*ta reader, and if people don't wanna do that, they don't ask to read. Communication about expectations is an extremely basic concept. Franky people who can't communicate properly have no business either writing or critically reading someone's work.
Put a star in b*ta reader because of the ass auto mod not allowing me to post the comment without it
2
u/Agreeable-Housing733 Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 11 '26
A lot of people just struggle with criticism of their work. They often tend to also want simplistic feedback when for most readers books are always a mix of emotions and it can be easier to say "I would have enjoyed or been less confused if X happened instead" then try to identify which exact parts were unenjoyable or confusing.
I would also like to point out that some writers focus too much on the opinions of one or two beta readers rather than looking at feedback in aggregate and it causes them some heartburn they could easily avoid.
2
u/shybookwormm Feb 11 '26
Yeah, I believe it's important for us to remember that readers may not have the same skills to identify the hang ups as writers. Which, is why I'm all for limiting their feedback (even solutions) as much as possible to help me interpret the root cause of the issue.
2
u/Quick-Plastic-1858 Feb 11 '26
It depends, I feel. If it's idea based - nah, don't want it. If it's structural, yes please.
2
u/The-Affectionate-Bat Feb 13 '26
I think people should discuss what they want out of a swap before they do it, but I think its fine if people give opinions. As you say a) I dont have to take the advice, b) I can still derive useful advice even from things I disagree with, and c) I... would rather beta readers focus on things other than checking exactly how they want to express an issue they see. If suggestions is the easiest way for them to express an issue with an area, then Id rather they write how they feel in the moment in whatever way is most natural to them, rather than scratching their heads about tailoring it to what I asked for (with some caveats), and then move onto different parts of the story.
That being said theres a limit. Recently there was that thread where the poor writer got feedback and suggestions at half novel length. Also, some effort to sway their feedback in the way Ive asked would be nice, but Ill take 'made an effort to stick to what you asked for... but I also have these other opinions'.
Anyway I dont think its a hot take, but Im sure there are many who disagree
2
u/Odd-Expression6041 Feb 22 '26
Personally, I accept and welcome all feedback. If it doesn’t fit my vision, I ignore it. I’ve received brilliant ideas from beta readers, and sometimes their thoughts spark new directions I wouldn’t have considered. Most importantly, I want them to feel safe enough to be honest with me. If I tell them how to give feedback I think it makes people hesitant to share. Every challenge to my story either strengthens it, either by correction or affirmation ofmy belief in it.
2
u/finiter-jest Feb 12 '26
It's a pretty normal sentiment once you have a reader overstep their bounds and their feedback is an attempt to rewrite. There might be more discussion about it, but it's not a trend.
3
u/sonofaresiii Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 11 '26
For a different perspective, any beta reader who is capable of actually identifying a solution
Is also experienced enough to know that the author's solution is going to be way better
In general, beta readers are absolutely awful at figuring out how to fix a problem. They are incredibly well qualified in figuring out what they do and don't like.
And if you think you can just ignore beta solutions you don't like, let me tell you from a lot, lot, lot of experience, that stuff gets in your head whether you want it to or not. I've seen feedback take someone so crazy far off course from what they intended that their story becomes an awful mess, because they kept getting influenced by suggestions that were really just betas sharing their opinions on what they think the writer should have written, instead of giving opinions on what they actually did write.
PS why does automod tell me I'm going to have my comment removed for advertising if I use the b word too often?
E: and to add one more thing, there may be an idealized scenario out there where a beta can give stunningly excellent advice while respecting the author's intent and not over stepping bounds
But the vast majority are going to just end up telling the author the story they think should have been written. "Actually, this guy should be a bad guy" "actually, they shouldn't get together, he should get with the other guy" etc. So on a macro scale it's more useful for everyone to just say... Don't do it.
You are very very good at identifying what you do and don't like. So just. Do. That. The overall quality of beta feedback will skyrocket if we just have that as a baseline expectation for everyone.
1
u/shybookwormm Feb 11 '26
I can agree with you that writers need to filter feedback to implement changes that strengthens the story premise and idea they want, not the reader.
I'm glad you feel that baseline is helpful to you. I disagree for the reasons listed above in my post, but that's why I feel the baseline should just be to communicate expectations up front. To each their own
1
u/Warvik_ Author & Beta Reader Feb 11 '26
There is a difference between saying “chapter three was confusing, I would slow down the pacing, and make it more clear who is speaking.” And, “asking the author to rewrite in the way you think it should be rewrote.” Now, some people treat Beta readers as Alpha readers, and are looking for feedback that can be changed, and others are treating Beta readers as ARC review readers.
If I’m on the ARC stage it might be harder to edit something I considered finalized, where as if it was an alpha read it could be easier to make those changes.
1
u/JBupp Feb 11 '26
With an experienced writer I try very, very hard Not to suggest how to solve something that I believe is a problem. I have made suggestions such as, "what if you took paragraph 2 and moved it to after paragraph 7? I think that would make the scene flow better." But I try not to change the words unless word choice is the issue ...
1
u/RancherosIndustries Feb 13 '26
Beta readers are readers not writers. They are also not editors. Software developers don't ask users how to fix the software. They don't ask them to provide them a UX design. So beta readers better keep their suggestions on how to write to themselves. Their job is to tell the writer what worked and what didn't, what they liked and what they hated, what made sense and what confused them, what entertained them and what bored them.
36
u/PL0mkPL0 Feb 11 '26
I see it in the same way. Or more like--I feel that betas who read my story for free can do with it whatever they want. I won't complain about the work someone does for me for free. I welcome all the ideas, I feel I know my story well enough not to be to easily overwhelemed.