Writers can gain valuable insights about the strengths and weaknesses of their manuscripts by engaging with beta readers throughout the development stages. Often the most willing beta readers are would-be writers themselves and they usually have good instincts when it comes to plot building and story crafting. A great beta reader will help you to fine tune a plot device that seems off kilter or gently alert you to a character who does not quite seem authentic enough. But, does your beta reader always know best? Here are three examples of situations where you might want to think twice about following a beta reader's advice.

When you suspect it’s really their morals talking

Everybody has his (or her) own moral compass and often, for the sake of story, writers allow their characters to stray beyond the waters they are themselves comfortable to swim in. Just because a character does something bad or morally despicable does not mean that the author condones such behaviour. Most readers get that – after all Stephen King wouldn’t be so popular if that wasn’t true. But sometimes a beta reader may object to a certain piece of dialogue or action because it offends him/her personally. Does that mean you have to cut it? It depends. If you were unaware of the offensive nature of the portion in question, then do pay attention to your beta reader’s reaction and ask yourself: Is this gratuitous or excessive? Will it insult your readers? Do you agree with the assessment? If, on the other hand, your intention was to shock or challenge through the narrative, you may want to keep it in. Just bear in mind that other readers may react similarly.

When your beta reader suggests altering a key story point

When C.S. Lewis read extracts from his Narnia stories to his good friend Tolkien, the latter suggested that mixing up elements from different myths such as fauns and Father Christmas may not go down too well. Lewis, however, stuck with his own creative instinct, resulting in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, a story that sold millions. What should you do if a beta reader suggests removing a key element from your story? Sometimes, all that’s needed is a little adjustment. For example, you could use a tiny pinch – but not too much - foreshadowing to prepare the reader for an occurrence that seems too coincidental. You could also engage with your beta readers about how to make the significance of certain events clearer within the framework of the story.

When they are projecting their own failings back at you

As mentioned before, your beta readers will most likely be writers too. This means that they may advise you to steer away from certain experimental techniques simply because an editor rejected them for it. In this case, you should pay close attention to how the critique is worded. Comments such as No one wants a second person viewpoint story or Present tense stories will never sell may suggest a bias. It could also challenge you with the knowledge that you will have to work harder to pull it off in your own story.

If your story contains plot points that you suspect may be too obscure or elements that may offend, you could ask your beta readers to keep a list of specific questions in mind when writing their critiques.