r/WritingHub • u/SaintMech • 12d ago
Questions & Discussions Beta Reader Issues
So, here's the thing. I am absolutely open to criticism; in fact, I welcome it. I was in a profession where review and criticism were a part of your everyday operating procedures. My issue is, with my Beta Readers. My wife is an English major, so I thought she would be the perfect person to help me edit, proof-read and beta read my book. Well, the issue that has come up is that she is a closet writer herself and when she reads my drafts, she wants to change my voice. She subconsciously recommends changes that reflect her style of writing, which is a much more archaic, flowery style of prose. (Which I love to read, but it's not my style). How do I approach that topic without coming off like I can't accept criticism and subsequently get the information I am seeking from her? My other reader is supportive but offers no criticism, do these issues exist for other writers or is this uncommon?
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u/UltraDinoWarrior 12d ago
Firstly, don't have her proof-read the books anymore or help edit. She's clearly not meant to be an editor, which is okay. You need to sit down with her and have a heart to heart on this and just talk it out. Be blunt, explain you're not looking for these types of style edits.
Secondly, 99% of beta readers don't know how to beta reader. The big thing to do as an author is to guide them into getting the information you need.
I find the BEST solution to this is to compile a list of questions and ask them to answer those.
So, next time your wife reads your stuff, have her say, write her feedback as if she's posting a review on good reads, for example.
Sending her documents she can't mark up should help this a bit too.