An Idea To Encourage Feedback

[Allyson]

Hello, All!

This is my first post here on Goodreads. I've read many of the posts to almost all the forums, especially the ones the admins have written.

I have an idea, and I'd like to bounce it off everyone. I'm thinking of composing a feedback form pdf that can be filled out and emailed back to me. It would have the things I'm concerned about as well as plenty of places for the Beta Reader to write in their concerns. I'd include this form with the Beta version of my novel. I am thinking of having it as a separate file.

Would any of you wonderful Beta Readers find something like this helpful? Writers, even though I've gone through the checklists in these forums, are there any special concerns that you think should be included?

Thank you all very much!

[Adam]

Seems like a good idea. I would interested to see what you already have on the form.

[Bil]

You have to be careful about this. For general questions like, what did you think of the plot, that will be fine. But some questions change the way the reader reads the book and the feedback is not as pure. A glaring example is, what did you think about the plot twist on page 187? Well, it won't be a surprise now that the reader knows it's coming. More subtly, if you ask if character X feels fully formed and real, then as the reader I'm on the lookout for that and will be hunting for instances where that is or isn't true. That changes the way I read. If a reader reads a book cold and fells like your characterization is lacking then there's a decent change it is. Without your question, the reader might have thought the characterization was fine but once they are focused on it, it will color their perception.

And asking the beta reader not to read ahead to the question may or may not keep them from doing it and if they do read ahead they aren't going to tell you.

What I do is either let the Beta just roll with it or provide a general topic list about plot, characterization, pace etc. Then after they are done reading and provide their feedback, I send more specific question that were not covered in their initial comments.

[Allyson]

Adam wrote: "Seems like a good idea. I would interested to see what you already have on the form."

Adam, thank you for responding. I'd be utterly delighted to share my form with you.

Since I'm quite new to the Goodreads Beta group, what would be the best way to share it with you?

[Allyson]

Bil wrote: "You have to be careful about this. For general questions like, what did you think of the plot, that will be fine. But some questions change the way the reader reads the book and the feedback is not..."

Bill, your considerations are spot on! I have based my form on the Beta Reader Checklist post in the General section.

The questions are very general, just like the checklist. Nothing truly specific to the book itself. I do my best to give them ample room to share all their thoughts.

If the Beta Reader reads the list beforehand, hopefully they would find that what I've asked is something they should be thinking about to begin with.

The form is just a tool the Beta Reader can use. If they'd rather mark up the document or send an email summary of what they find, I'm very happy with that, too.

I like your idea of a follow-up with the Reader if I have any specific questions about their feedback. It's a good way to keep communication going.

Thank you for such a thoughtful response! You've given me good things to take to heart. :)

[Adam]

Allyson wrote: "Adam wrote: "Seems like a good idea. I would interested to see what you already have on the form."

Adam, thank you for responding. I'd be utterly delighted to share my form with you.

Since I'm qu..."

If you can send it in a message that would be good. If not, message me and reply with email address. Thanks.