Reader feedback can feel like a gut punch when it comes to your story. But it’s important to remember that the reason for that isn’t because you have bad readers (although they may have been). It’s because most feedback doesn’t mean what you think it does at face value.
This is because of the way people read and interpret text. There are many schools of literary criticism, and one of the most influential is known as reader-response. It suggests that the reader has a vital role in bringing the meaning of the text to life—as entertainment, as art. That’s why it’s so easy for someone to give a biased opinion or miss the point altogether.
So, when you get feedback that feels off-base or even savage, it’s worth taking the time to understand what’s happening. Then, you can decide whether to act on the comment.
For instance, if a beta reader says that your precocious child is annoying and doesn’t seem to fit the narrative, it might be a sign that they’re reading it as an action-packed thriller rather than a children’s book. In that case, you might want to consider reworking the character.
On the other hand, if another reader has the same problem with your character but describes them as well-rounded, it might be an indication that they’re not connected to your characters and feel they are missing some background information. In that case, you might need to revise the character’s backstory.