What specific elements do you focus on during a beta read to help an author refine their story and characters?

I concentrate on how smoothly the story reads, the quality of the dialogue, and the emotions it evokes as I engage with it. Does the book make me feel something deeply? Does it build suspense effectively? My focus shifts depending on the genre, as each one has unique expectations. I pay close attention to the flow of the narrative—does it make sense overall? Are the chapter titles aligned with the content? I provide detailed feedback, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement, always offering my insights with encouragement and kindness.

When I am taking on a new beta reading client, I ask that they contact me before booking so we can discuss their manuscript and their needs, and I also ask questions on my intake form, including "are there any specific areas you'd like me to focus on during this reading?" While I may think certain things are important, I always want to make sure I am putting the needs and specific areas of focus from the client at the forefront of my mind before I begin reading.

That said, when reading I focus on the overall plot and how it's organized, does it follow the traditional three-act structure or go off on some other path? What are my first impressions of the story, and has it hooked me right away? Is the inciting incident exciting and important enough that I'd want to keep reading if I'd picked this book up off the shelf, or would I need something more to keep me turning the pages? Once I've moved deeper into the manuscript, I look at character development and interrelationships. Are they following a predictable path, am I surprised by anything, if I didn't have dialogue tags could I tell who was speaking or are their "voices" too similar?

Then I explore how plausible things are in the world of the story, does anything stick out to me as being out of the ordinary for the world the author has created? I know many things may not make sense for the real world and be perfectly normal within the context of the book, but when things don't seem plausible even within the book, there's something wrong. Along those lines, I look for continuity errors, head-hopping, or other issues that might pull readers out of their reading experience and make them stop reading.

And then I look at what makes sense for the genre...if it's fantasy, how is the world-building? If it's romance, is there romantic tension? If it's young adult, do the characters feel realistically young, or are they adults who have been given teen ages? 

Along the way, I am always reading for pacing, Are there times when the story feels like it's begun to drag and it's a chore to read, or do I breeze through and have to go back and read it again because I was enjoying myself so much I forgot to leave comments?

During a beta read, I focus on key aspects such as plot structure, character development, dialogue, and pacing. I evaluate the overall flow of the story, ensuring that it has a clear arc and engaging conflict while checking for inconsistencies or plot holes. I also pay attention to character growth, motivations, and interactions, ensuring they feel authentic and relatable. The dialogue is assessed for naturalness, distinct character voices, and its role in advancing the plot. Additionally, I look at emotional impact, world-building, and the clarity of the writing itself, ensuring the story is immersive and easy to follow. Ultimately, my feedback helps the author refine their manuscript to be more cohesive, engaging, and impactful.