When readers respond to your story, it can be difficult to hear their opinions without a protective shield lining your ego. After all, your book feels like an extension of yourself, so criticism of its flaws can be incredibly tough to take. That’s why it’s important to give yourself time and distance from the feedback you receive — it’ll help you better assess its value.
The best way to approach reader feedback is to look at it in terms of the underlying problem it’s trying to solve. Every reader comes to your manuscript with a unique set of values and experiences, so they’re likely to provide disparate feedback that may seem mutually exclusive at first glance. Try to sift through that feedback to find the real recommendations, and focus on how to improve your story in that area.
If you’re struggling to interpret the feedback you receive, try reading it while you’re at work or doing chores, and then putting it away for a few days. This gives you a chance to let the feedback digest before reacting, and it will help you separate your pride from the opinions of others.
Once you’ve waited awhile, look at the feedback you received again. Is there a pattern? If three or more readers mention the same issue, that’s a pretty good indication you should consider making some changes. It’s also helpful to read the comments of readers who understand your genre and reading preferences. Their observations may carry more weight than those of a general reader. For instance, if a thriller reader recommends faster pacing and a literary fiction fan suggests more introspection, it’s likely that both readers are right.
About the Author
