How to Get External Feedback

by

The solitary pursuit of writing often feels like navigating a dense fog. You pore over your manuscript, convinced it’s brilliant, or conversely, utterly dreadful. Yet, a crucial truth remains: writers, even the most prolific, are inherently bad judges of their own work. We’re too close, too invested, too familiar with the narrative we intended to create rather than the one we actually did. This subjectivity is why external feedback isn’t merely a luxury; it’s an indispensable cornerstone of crafting compelling, polished prose that resonates with your target audience. This definitive guide will equip you with the strategies, techniques, and mindset necessary to solicit, process, and effectively utilize external feedback, transforming your writing from promising to powerful.

The Indispensable Value of the Outside Eye: Why You Need It

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s firmly establish the ‘why.’ External feedback isn’t about validation; it’s about elevation. It’s the critical mirror reflecting blind spots you can’t see on your own.

  • Perspective Shift: You know your characters’ backstories inside out, but does your reader? Feedback reveals where information is missing, muddled, or redundant. It shows you what’s clear to you but obscure to them.
  • Clarity and Cohesion: What makes perfect sense in your head might be a jumbled mess on the page. An outsider immediately spots logical inconsistencies, abrupt transitions, or confusing terminology.
  • Pacing and Flow: Is your story dragging in Chapter 3? Does the climax feel rushed? Readers experience the story linearly, allowing them to gauge its momentum and identify areas where tension sags or accelerates too quickly.
  • Identifying Tropes and Cliches: What feels fresh to you might be a common trope to a well-read audience. Fresh eyes can flag worn out phrases, predictable plot points, or stereotypical characters.
  • Grammar and Mechanics: Even the most diligent proofreaders miss their own errors. A fresh pair of eyes catches typos, grammatical mistakes, and punctuation issues that your brain unconsciously auto-corrects.
  • Emotional Resonance: Does your reader feel what you intend them to feel? Are they invested in your characters? Feedback reveals if your emotional beats are landing or falling flat.
  • Audience Connection: Your writing isn’t just for you; it’s for an audience. Feedback shows whether your prose connects with its intended readers, fulfilling their expectations and delivering a satisfying experience.

Understanding these benefits cultivates an open, growth-oriented mindset, crucial for effective feedback seeking.

Beyond the Buddy System: Defining Your Feedback Goals

Not all feedback is created equal, nor should all feedback be sought from the same source. Before you send your precious words out into the world, clarify what type of feedback you need. This clarity will dictate who you ask and how you phrase your request.

  • Developmental/Big Picture Feedback: This focuses on the story’s core: plot, character arcs, theme, pacing, world-building, and overall structure. It’s about whether the story works as a whole. Example: “Is my protagonist’s motivation clear throughout the novel? Does the subplot detract from the main storyline? Is the ending satisfying?”
  • Line-Level/Copyediting Feedback: This zeroes in on the prose itself: sentence structure, word choice, clarity, flow, repetition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Example: “Are there any awkward sentences here? Is this paragraph too wordy? Did I use the word ‘just’ too many times?”
  • Specific Problem-Solving Feedback: You know there’s an issue but can’t pinpoint it. Example: “This scene feels flat. Can you tell me why? I’m struggling with the antagonist’s motivation in Chapter 5, does it make sense to you?”
  • Audience Reaction Feedback: This assesses how your target readers respond emotionally and intellectually. Example: “Did you find yourself rooting for the villain? Was the twist genuinely surprising? Did you connect with the main character?”

Clearly defining your objectives prevents receiving irrelevant feedback and helps you target the right readers. Never just say, “Read my book and tell me what you think.” That’s a recipe for generic, unhelpful responses.

Strategic Selection: Who to Ask and Why

The source of your feedback is as critical as the feedback itself. Different readers offer different insights.

Your Inner Circle (Use with Caution)

  • Friends and Family:
    • Pros: Easy to ask, supportive, often willing.
    • Cons: Biased (they love you!), may lack critical reading skills, might prioritize your feelings over your writing’s improvement.
    • Best for: First drafts, getting a general sense of engagement, spotting obvious typos, or very specific, low-stakes questions (e.g., “Is this character’s name too similar to another?”).
    • How to ask: Frame specific, non-threatening questions. “Does this opening chapter make you want to read more?” rather than “Is my book good?”

Fellow Writers: The Peer Critique Group

  • Pros: Understand the craft, can offer actionable advice on structure, character, plot, and prose; mutual benefit (you critique theirs, they critique yours). Builds a supportive community.
  • Cons: Can sometimes fall into “groupthink,” may focus too much on their preferred genre/style, personalities can sometimes clash.
  • Best for: Developmental feedback, line-level critique from a writer’s perspective, understanding how professional writers approach problems.
  • How to find: Local writing groups, online forums (carefully vetted), writing conferences. Look for groups that promote constructive criticism and have established guidelines.
  • How to ask: Be prepared to reciprocate. Share your specific goals for the critique. “I’m focusing on strengthening my dialogue in this chapter, please pay close attention there.”

Beta Readers: Your Target Audience in Miniature

  • Pros: Represents your ideal reader, provides audience-centric feedback (did they care? were they confused? did they enjoy it?), often less invested in the “how” and more in the “what it felt like.”
  • Cons: May lack the vocabulary to articulate why something isn’t working, can offer contradictory advice (because readers are diverse!), takes time to find and manage.
  • Best for: Developmental feedback, pacing, clarity, emotional impact, identifying plot holes a general reader would notice, assessing overall enjoyment and engagement.
  • How to find: Call for beta readers on social media, writing forums, dedicated beta reader sites, your email list (if you have one).
  • How to ask: Clearly define your target reader. Provide guiding questions (see below). Set clear expectations for deadlines and feedback format.

Professional Editors: The Gold Standard (Paid Service)

  • Pros: Highly skilled, objective, experienced in many genres and with many writers, offers a comprehensive, systematic critique tailored to professional publishing standards.
  • Cons: Expensive.
  • Best for: Final polish before querying agents or self-publishing, identifying deep structural issues, tightening prose to a professional standard. Often used after you’ve incorporated feedback from all other sources.
  • How to find: Referrals, editorial associations, reputable publishing service directories.
  • How to ask: Provide your manuscript and a clear summary of your goals. Editor will often provide a sample edit and a quote.

Key Rule of Thumb: Solicit feedback from multiple, diverse sources. A single perspective, no matter how insightful, is never enough.

The Art of the Ask: Maximizing Your Feedback’s Value

Simply handing someone your manuscript with a “read this” isn’t enough. You need to guide your readers. A thoughtful request yields more actionable feedback.

Provide Context, Not Just Chapters

  • Brief Synopsis: Give them a concise summary (1-2 paragraphs) of your story’s premise, genre, and target audience. This helps them read through the right lens.
  • Your Intentions: Briefly explain what you’re trying to achieve. Are you aiming for a suspenseful thriller, a heartwarming romance, a gritty literary piece? This helps them identify if your execution matches your vision.
  • Avoid Defensiveness: Don’t apologize for your writing or point out perceived flaws upfront. “I know this chapter is probably terrible, but…” Undermines the feedback process.

Crafting Specific, Targeted Questions

This is the most critical element. Vague questions yield vague answers. Specific questions funnel your reader’s attention to your areas of concern.

Examples of Effective Questions (Tailor to your specific needs):

For Developmental (Big Picture) Feedback:

  • Engagement: “Does the opening chapter make you want to keep reading? If not, why?”
  • Pacing: “Were there any parts where the story dragged? Any parts that felt rushed?”
  • Character: “Who was your favorite character and why? Was their motivation clear? Did you understand their internal conflict?”
  • Plot: “Did the plot twists feel earned or out of nowhere? Were there any plot holes or inconsistencies you noticed?”
  • Worldbuilding: (For fantasy/sci-fi) “Was the magical system/technology clear and consistent? Did you feel immersed in the world?”
  • Theme: “What message or theme did you take away from the story? Was it clear?”
  • Ending: “Was the ending satisfying? Did it resolve everything you expected it to? Or did it leave you wanting more in a good way?”

For Line-Level Feedback:

  • Clarity: “Were there any sentences or paragraphs that were particularly confusing or difficult to follow?”
  • Conciseness: “Did you notice any repetitive phrasing or words I overuse?”
  • Show, Don’t Tell: “Were there instances where I told you something emotional rather than showing it through action or dialogue?”
  • Dialogue: “Did the dialogue sound natural for each character? Could you tell who was speaking without attribution?”
  • Sensory Details: “Were there enough sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) to make scenes vivid?”

For Specific Problem-Solving:

  • “I’m worried about the plausibility of [specific plot point]. Did it feel believable to you?”
  • “Does the relationship between [Character A] and [Character B] develop believably in chapters 3-7?”
  • “In this scene, I’m trying to convey [specific emotion]. Did you feel it?”

Crucial Advice: Don’t ask more than 5-7 questions per reader, especially for beta readers. Overwhelming them leads to superficial responses.

Logistics and Expectations

  • Format: How should they provide feedback? Track Changes in Word? Comments in Google Docs? A separate document with notes? Be explicit.
  • Deadline: Give a realistic deadline. Follow up gently if needed.
  • Anonymity/Credit: Ask if they’d like to be credited (e.g., in your acknowledgments). Offer to return the favor if they’re writers.
  • Gratitude: Always, always thank them profusely for their time and effort.

Receiving Feedback: The Art of Active Listening

This is where many writers falter. The natural human response to criticism, even constructive, is often defensiveness or discouragement. Cultivate a different mindset.

The Feedback Mindset: Detachment and Curiosity

  • It’s About the Work, Not You: Separate your ego from your writing. Feedback on your manuscript is not a judgment of your worth as a person.
  • Assume Good Intent: Most people giving you feedback genuinely want to help your writing improve. Even poorly delivered feedback usually stems from a helpful impulse.
  • Listen More Than You Talk: When someone is giving you feedback, resist the urge to explain, justify, or defend. Your job is to listen, absorb, and understand their perspective. Ask clarifying questions, but don’t debate.
    • Instead of: “No, but what I meant was…”
    • Try: “Can you tell me more about why that part didn’t work for you?” or “Where specifically did you feel confused?”
  • Take Notes: Don’t rely on memory. Jot down key points, specific examples they mention, and your initial raw reactions.

Dealing with Conflicting Feedback

You will receive contradictory advice. This is normal and valuable.

  • The Consensus Test: If multiple people flag the same issue (even if they suggest different solutions or don’t articulate why), that’s a red flag you absolutely must address. Example: Three different readers say the first chapter is slow. This indicates a problem regardless of whether one suggested adding a car chase and another suggested cutting a character.
  • The “Why” Matters: When feedback conflicts, dig into the “why.” “I loved Character X!” vs. “I hated Character X.” Ask both: “What specifically about Character X resonated with you?” and “What specific actions or traits made you dislike Character X?” The “why” reveals underlying issues or successes.
  • Your Intuition: After carefully considering all feedback, trust your gut. Ultimately, it’s your story. Feedback is a guide, not a set of instructions.

The Power of the Pause

Resist the urge to immediately implement feedback.

  • Step Away: Emotionally distance yourself from the feedback for at least a day, preferably longer. Let it marinate.
  • Compile and Categorize: Consolidate all feedback into a single document. Group similar comments. Highlight recurring themes. This makes it scannable and manageable.

Processing Feedback: Making It Actionable

Now that you’ve received and processed the feedback, it’s time to decide what to do with it. This is not about implementing every suggestion, but about addressing the underlying problems.

Identify the Root Cause

Often, a reader’s suggested solution (e.g., “Add a fight scene here”) is less important than the problem they identified (e.g., “The pacing felt slow at this point”). Focus on the problem. There are usually multiple ways to solve it.

  • Reader says: “This character is boring.”
  • Root cause: The character lacks agency, distinct voice, or relatable goals.
  • Your solution: Maybe not a complete overhaul, but giving them a specific flaw, a compelling secret, or a clearer motivation.

Create an Action Plan

Don’t dive back into editing blindly. Systematize your revisions.

  1. Prioritize:
    • Big Picture First: Always address developmental issues (plot, character, structure, pacing) before refining line-level details. Why polish a paragraph if you’re going to cut the whole chapter?
    • High Consensus: Tackle issues flagged by multiple readers first.
    • Your Biggest Concerns: Address issues that align with your own doubts about the manuscript.
  2. Categorize Revisions:
    • Must Do: Critical issues, plot holes, major character inconsistencies.
    • Consider: Suggestions that have merit but might require significant rewriting or are subjective.
    • Dismiss: Feedback that doesn’t align with your vision, genre, or is based on a misunderstanding you can’t or won’t fix.
  3. Break It Down: Don’t think, “I need to fix my entire novel.” Think, “I need to revise Chapter 3’s pacing,” or “I need to enhance Character A’s arc through these three scenes.”
  4. Iterative Process: Revisions are not a one-and-done event. After implementing one round of feedback, you may need subsequent rounds with different beta readers or a professional editor.

When to Discard Feedback

Not all feedback is good feedback. You have the ultimate authority over your work.

  • Out of Scope: Feedback that misses your stated goals or ignores your genre conventions. (e.g., a sci-fi reader complaining your romance doesn’t have enough explosions).
  • Solution-Oriented Without Problem Identification: “You should add a dragon.” No underlying problem identified = not useful.
  • Vague and Unhelpful: “I just didn’t like it.” Without a “why,” this is unactionable.
  • Goes Against Your Core Vision: If a suggestion fundamentally alters the story you want to tell and goes against your artistic intent, it’s okay to dismiss it. Be firm in your vision, but flexible in its execution.
  • One-Offs: If only one person mentions a very niche micro-issue, and no one else agrees, it might be an outlier opinion.

Remember, a strong writer knows which feedback to incorporate and which to respectfully set aside.

The Thank You and Beyond: Nurturing Your Feedback Network

Your relationship with your feedback providers doesn’t end when you receive their notes.

Express Genuine Gratitude

  • Personalized Thank You: A heartfelt email or message, acknowledging their specific insights. Mention how their feedback helped you.
  • Acknowledge Credit: If you made a major change based on their input, tell them.
  • Offer Reciprocation: If they’re a writer, offer to critique their work in return.

Long-Term Relationships

  • Stay Connected: Your beta readers and critique partners are invaluable resources. Foster those relationships.
  • Update Them: If they were significantly invested, let them know when your book is published or agented. They’ll appreciate seeing the fruits of their labor.

The Cycle of Improvement

Feedback is not a discrete event; it’s a continuous cycle.

  1. Write and Revise: Produce your best possible draft.
  2. Seek Feedback: Strategically choose readers and ask targeted questions.
  3. Receive and Process: Listen, take notes, categorize.
  4. Analyze and Plan: Identify root causes, prioritize.
  5. Revise Again: Implement changes thoughtfully.
  6. Repeat: For successive drafts, new projects, and ongoing growth.

The Confident Writer: Embracing the Feedback Journey

Seeking and utilizing external feedback is a testament to your professionalism and commitment to craft. It requires vulnerability, humility, and a deep-seated belief in the iterative nature of creation. By thoughtfully selecting your readers, crafting precise questions, actively listening, and making informed decisions about revisions, you transform raw talent into polished prose. Embrace feedback not as judgment, but as a gift—a collective effort to make your story the best version of itself, ready to captivate its audience. Go forth and write, and let the outside eyes illuminate your path.