How do you balance feedback from beta readers with your own vision?

[matthew219]

Hi everyone That's Not My Neighbor

I’m in the middle of revising my manuscript, and I’ve received some very different suggestions from beta readers. Some of their notes make sense, but others seem to clash with the story I originally wanted to tell.

For those of you who’ve gone through this stage, how do you decide which feedback to take on board and which to set aside? Do you have a system for sorting through conflicting advice, or do you go with instinct?

I’d love to hear how other writers navigate this part of the process.

Thanks!

[Lindsank]

When feedback conflicts, I usually check whether it aligns with the core theme and character arcs I want to preserve. If a note improves clarity or pacing without changing the heart of the story, I take it. Otherwise, I set it aside but keep it for later in case I change perspective after some distance.