Writing Feedback: You Need It
The difference between reader engagement and silence
When I finished my first novel, I typed “The End”, and then had no idea what to do.
No one had ever read my work before. How would I know if it’s any good?
If you’re a writer, sooner or later you need feedback on your work. Are you hitting the right tropes? How is the pacing? Is anything confusing to the reader?
But maybe you’ve heard horror stories of critques that were more like verbal lashings.
And what the heck are those beta readers that every author on Twitter is talking about?
Before you run off to find some of those beta readers and hope they are nice, it’s important to understand what types of feedback are available. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or a little of both, feedback is crucial. But you have to find the right kind for you.
You’ll also need to learn how to give feedback to others, because the writing community functions on giving as much as receiving.
This article kicks off a series on how to find the right feedback for your work. Today we’ll cover what feedback is available.
Types of Feedback
There are three main types of feedback available to writers:
- Critique
- Beta Reading
- Developmental Edit
Critique
Most commonly you’ll hear about critique partners, or critique groups.
Critique can also be found through writing conferences, as add-ons to your registration.
Additionally, some editors offer critique because we know that some authors may have diffiuclty finding a good partner, and every writer deserves positive and constructive feedback. (Be careful in choosing an editor— You want somebody experienced and recommended.)
Critique groups/partners can be controversial in some writing circles. All it takes is one negative and nonconstructive member to ruin an author’s experience.
But don’t shy away from critique because of an inconsiderate review. Critique is an art, and when it’s good, it can propel your writing to levels you never imagined.
Beta Reading
Run in author circles and you’ll hear plenty about beta readers.
Beta readers (or alpha readers, for rougher drafts) are people who read the manuscript prior to publishing.
First and foremost, beta readers are readers. Not necessarily writers. Beta readers should be passionate readers of that particular genre.
Where critique dives into the mechanics of a story, beta readers look at the story from a macro level.
Your betas will tell you whether the story makes sense and give their impressions based on the familiarity with that genre.
We’ve all been there. A story may be perfect in your head, but a beta reader will tell you if the story translated onto the page, or whether you have more work to do.
Developmental Edit
A developmental edit is a much more in-depth approach to feedback. This is recommended for self-publishing authors, and especially those new to writing in their genre.
An experienced editor can point out structural issues holding the story back, and make recommendations to get your manuscript ready to publish so you can compete with others in the market.
Developmental edits are pricier than most editing costs, as they require much more work. But, if you work with an experienced and qualified editor, the cost will translate into better reviews and more sales as your book meets reader expectations.
Which Feedback is Right for You?
Do your research, of course, but in general the type of feedback you need depends on your writing stage and goals.
If you’ve never had anyone read your work before: You might want to seek out a critique of your first few chapters, or a short story. This will introduce you to your strengths and weaknesses, so you can apply that knowledge to the rest of the manuscript.
Or you may choose to have a critique group review the entire manuscript from the first sentence to the end. This takes time, but is well worth it.
If you want to self-publish: Especially if you have not published before, a developmental edit will be invaluable.
You may not need such work for every book you write, but for the first manuscript a developmental edit is the most effective way to get you on the right track.
Have you finished your manuscript and you’re ready to query agents? Writers choosing traditional publishing should use beta readers to ensure the manuscript is as strong as it can be. Have your first pages critiqued as those are what will get an agent’s attention and need to be strong.
A critique of the query itself, from someone in the industry, can also be helpful to make sure you’re communicating your story within the query letter constraints.
How Do I Find This Feedback?
Each type of feedback is nuanced, so I’ll post more information on each one in the coming days.
Don’t want to wait? Dive into some research on your own. A web search might come back with some great options.
The bottom line is that you need feedback to advance as a writer, and the type you choose must fit for your goals.
If your first try doesn’t give you the feedback you need, move on and keep trying until you find a critique that brings out the best in your writing.
