8 Types of Readers That Will Critique Your Work

In the writing process, you're going to run into a place where you need outside feedback. Their job is to read your story and give you thoughtful criticism. Your job is to filter through all of their notes to figure out what is valuable and work to revise or continue your story. No matter their Reader type, not all of their feedback will be valuable/worthless.

This is certainly not a comprehensive list of readers you'll run into, but these are the approximate and common groups that I've gotten feedback from.

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1. The Editor
"I see the potential in this, but you'll need to do some heavier research for the end to pay off."

These readers will offer honest feedback in a strategic manner. They know the ins and outs and will readily tell you when something isn't working. They will remind you to do your research, to flesh out every aspect of your story, to set up the plot so your ending is earned. Do not ask them for feedback if you are not ready or looking for thorough criticism. They read your story using their strengths (e.g. grammar, character, dialogue, etc.) so you can also ask for a look at a specific aspect of your story; in other words, they can take an in-depth look at your dialogue work if you want, but be prepared for anything else they may notice.

Valuable: When you are prepared.

2. The Friend
"I can't believe you wrote this - it's so good!"

They may not even be a reader, but this person is a friend of yours, and they treat your work as such. They don't want to hurt your feelings if they don't like any part of your story - even one sentence - and, unfortunately, this means they dance around any actual criticism. They even may stretch their commentary to make a negative thought a positive. Comments are overall fake and unearned.

Valuable: Never. Any ego boost you gain will fade if and when you realize the lack of weight in their feedback.

3. The Good Friend
"I think it might be more effective if you went the other route, but obviously you don't have to."

As opposed to the Friend, the Good Friend likely is a reader and wants what is best for you, not just your feelings. They like you, but they'll still be objective about your work and will give you honest feedback. This doesn't mean their comments will be harsh or unfiltered; because they don't want to hurt your feelings, they will deliver feedback in a calm and helpful manner, and remind you that it's just their opinion. Their feedback is grounded in what they like as a reader, but they've likely read your work before, so they can tie into what they know you're capable of.

Valuable: When you're questioning your work, when you need a pick-me-up, when you've just finished.

4.  The Holier Than Thou
"Well, this isn't how I would do it. It's a pretty naïve viewpoint, but I guess you're in that stage."

Also known as The "Helper." They think they know what they're talking about, but their commentary is just marinated in their own egotism. If it's not what they wish they could write, it's not worth being written. They don't write often, if at all, because they're "better than that," they have a "real job," or they would rather focus on things that "matter" like politics and science. In spite of this, they still think they know what's good for you and your story.

Valuable: Hardly - if only to prepare you for unsolicited comments from readers on Amazon and Twitter after publication.

5. The Pleasure Reader
"It's just not my cup of tea. You know I don't read this genre!"

Their comments don't go far beyond whether or not they liked it. The Pleasure Reader is just that - they read for pleasure, and they more or less know what they like in a book, especially if they stick to one or two genres. They may not know how to express what did or didn't work for your story. This may be the reader that will pick up your work after publication, but they are not the reader to go to for critique.

Valuable: When you're ready to publish or already have published.

6. The Anti-Reader
"You really made me see it - that's never happened before!"

This reader actually isn't a reader outside what you ask them to. They've read a handful of books, but probably just newspaper articles. These readers are most likely not visual readers, but somehow they got the visual experience reading your work. Whether or not you are able to provide this experience may tell you if you've done what you need to in a story.

Valuable: At all times. Work to make them like reading.

7. The Skimmer
"I spent all night reading it because I was so engrossed, but why didn't you bring up this part again?"

They "read" your work, but their feedback is only focusing on two or three sentences and wondering why they don't make sense together. It's because these sentences are from different parts of the story. The rest of their feedback is recycled criticism from previous works, or borrowed from generalized issues in some stories, such as under- or over-explaining. By using these amateur tactics, they think you won't be able to tell that they only skimmed your work five minutes before they talked to you about it. You can tell.

Valuable: Never. Stop asking them to read your work.

8. The Questioner
"Why?"

After they've read your piece, it's all questions until you don't know the answers anymore. They have a question for every answer. This is maddening. You're stressed. You're a little angry. You think you want to cry. Don't worry - this is good. Their questions will tell you what you need to work on. The less questions they ask before you don't have an answer, the bigger the hole in your story. Take some time away, think, and get back to work.

Valuable: At all times. They may frustrate you, but their questions will make your story stronger.

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Which reader are you?