It’s not uncommon in corporate America to be in a meeting and hear the dreaded, “Let’s go around the table and see what everyone thinks.” Soon, an otherwise good idea is watered down or killed by committee because everyone has a say–even those who are anything but experts about the concept or product.
I suppose the literary equivalent of this is putting out an open call for beta readers. I’ve seen writers become lost trying to filter the thoughts of fifteen different people with fifteen different views: many liked what others hated; some people said, “More action!” while others said there was too much action; “This is too slow,” and “This moves too quickly.”
The Problem with Consideration
I understand where some writers come from when they say they want a wide range of readers looking at their work. It sounds like a great idea–the more the merrier. But considering so many readers comes with its own problems.
The thriller fan will often tell the literary writer they need to move faster. The literary fan might tell the humorous fantasy writer that their work lacks depth. Romance fans want to see love stories in space if handed a sci-fi novel.
It’s easy to say, “Just look for the recurring things the majority of readers mention,” but many writers feel like they must consider all points of view. I’ve seen writers fret about what to consider so much that they end up doubting their entire work.
The Right Readers
Only a handful of people see drafts of what I write before they’re released in some manner. They are readers who understand my intentions and goals as a writer, not random people quick with opinions of what they would do, instead.
It’s not that I feel a need to protect my writing against criticism, because the first line of readers I know have no problem looking me in the eye, pointing to a section of something I wrote, and saying, “We both know you were lazy, here, and trying to sneak something by. Come on–you’re better than that!”
But I definitely feel the need to protect the work in a manner that makes it the most “me” story it can be. (It’s unlikely a stranger or even an acquaintance knows me well enough to know my intentions as a writer.)
The Right Opinions
A quick glimpse online leaves no one thinking the world is lacking in opinions. If you’ve read this far, you’ve already read my opinions about several things.
I know of writers who only want “facts” about their work from early readers. While even facts are often debatable when it comes to writing, I understand not wanting to hear, “I think this would be a better story if you made the protagonist a talking marmot.” But I think writers do themselves a disservice to shun solid opinions from early readers.
For Example…
I touched on something in A Magic Life that I felt would have been too obligatory had I addressed things more. Two early readers told me, “No, you really should do more with that. It’s obligatory for a good reason. It’s up to you to not make it sound typical, but it needs more than you’ve written.”
And they were right.
Other times, opinions can help you gauge if trusted readers understand your intentions. My wife once gave me feedback on a story that amounted to, “I didn’t like the characters or what happened in this at all, but…I recognize it’s a big step in what you hope to do as a writer. It’s some of your best writing to date.”
The Purpose
The purpose of feedback shouldn’t be receiving an ego stroke, but it also shouldn’t be about receiving a beating. It shouldn’t be about what someone else would do if they were you–it should be about what you should do to make your stories the best they can be.
If the purpose of feedback is to make something better, it’s in your best interests to find people who make you better. It’s just my opinion, but inviting a huge pile of beta readers who don’t know your intentions (or even read the kinds of things you write), is an invitation for frustration.
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Photo: Wynand van Poortvliet
Great advice for others, Chris. I love your method.
I’ve found that I really can’t read another’s writing with a critical, objective eye. Sometimes when I’m reading a piece of fiction I think that I would have phrased this sentence differently or such, but beyond that about the only critical reaction I have is one that would not be useful to the writer: this is dreadful and it should be abandoned. There’s no in between for me. It’s a hazard.
I’m able to read without thinking about things I’d change. It’s rare that I think, “I’d have done this, instead.” I tend more toward finding the things that impress me and try figuring out what it took to do such a thing (and what I can do to do similar things).
That said, I still tend to pass on reading most people’s work when they ask for my feedback. Some might accuse me of creating an echo chamber, but I’d rather have that tight group who all understands each others goals as writers and know them well enough to know their needs and adapt criticism toward each individual. I have one friend who loves having things dissected, while others mostly want to know if there are any glaring holes or anything exceptionally weak. It’s takes more for me as a reader, but I appreciate the effort from others, so I return in kind.
Really, though…I think by a certain time writing, one should know if their work is good enough or not without feedback. Proofreading is always great, but when proficient, agents and editors will have their say, so I shoot more for something without any glaring errors and take it from there. Because overthinking it all can be a spiral I get caught in, so I suppose I shoot for 90% – 95% good enough before sending things around.
“I think by a certain time writing, one should know if their work is good enough or not without feedback.” – well put, and true, I think.
I’m glad the comment brought out that point, because I suppose it’s what I was really getting at. I know if I read something written by you or a handful of other people that it will be good. I would assume if it were an earlier draft that anything I saw, you (or other proficient writers) would see things as well. (Or would spot it in following read throughs).
With many of the people I know who ask for a large group of readers, it seems more about validation than wanting to be told what to fix. (“Why have one person tell me I’m good, when I can have dozens?!”) They also seem to become the most lost when a dozen people tell them a dozen different things because they may still be finding their ways and feel they must please all readers.