Readers provide valuable insights that help writers hone their craft and connect with readers. Reading and responding to reader feedback can be a transforming experience for a writer, if done well. But interpreting and applying that feedback requires a disciplined approach.
First, recognize that most of the feedback you get from your beta readers will be subjective. It’s important to view this with gratitude and openness—not defensiveness. For example, one reader might dislike a certain character trope in your story, while another might love it. You can learn from the former’s comments without removing the character altogether, but you might need to tweak that characters overall arc to make it better for the latter’s taste.
Likewise, some feedback will be helpful in identifying problems that are more structural in nature. For example, if multiple readers comment that the pacing in your novel is slow, it might be time to reconsider that section of your manuscript. The good news is that many of these issues can be fixed with simple changes—and you can also rely on the feedback from your readers to determine what those changes might be.
Often, it’s best to start with the small, surface-level issues like typos and word choice mistakes. Once you’ve mastered those, you can move onto bigger issues that might be hindering reader engagement and comprehension. By focusing on the big picture and being receptive to reader feedback, you can use your drafts to create more meaningful content that appeals to a diverse audience.