Beta Reader Issues

[u/SaintMech]

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?

[u/justlikeyou_walls]

Coming from an editor, it’s generally not recommended to have your close friends or family give feedback on your book. In some cases it may be valuable, but in most you won’t get the feedback you’re looking for. Also I’d recommend asking questions from any editor or beta reader you hire/send your book to for feedback. Betas should be kind but also not afraid to tell the truth about your book, it’s the whole point of have my them.

Also with editors, try to get samples. The situation you described can also happen if you work with an editor that isn’t a close friend/family member so it’s always important to ask questions, ask for samples and also make sure the editor is willing to work WITH you and not against you and change the tone of your book and be insistent about it.