Something Ive noticed that is done on a lot of writing-to-get-published websites, but seldom done here, is beta reading. For anyone on CF who is serious about getting published, a beta can be a big help. In the interest of promoting more of it, here is a thread on the subject.
A beta reader is a person who will read all or part of your unpublished ms and give you his or her honest opinion about what works and what doesnt. Its great to have friends and family read your stories, and if they love what you write, all the better. Theres no substitute, though, for having a fellow writer take a look. Youre likely to get a more impartial opinion, for one thing, and the odds are greater that a writer will be able to tell you why certain aspects of your story work while other elements dont.
In case anyone is interested in giving beta reading, or beta exchanges, a try, here are a few dos and donts.
1: Always thank your beta. They gave you their time and attention, even if (as sometimes happens) they didnt give you much by way of helpful feedback. So be gracious and say thanks.
2: Dont argue with your beta. If he or she says, I dont like X about your story, dont come back with Well you should like X; its a very strong component! You can certainly ask why the beta didnt like that particular element or character, but its just not logical to tell them they should have; theyre just honestly reporting how they reacted (providing, of course, they were being honest, and I assume most are).
3: Corollary to above: if you beta for someone, by all means be honest. Not brutal, harsh or cruel, but definitely honest. And be willing to back up your critiques. Dont say, I didnt like character X because she reminded me of my Great Aunt Tilly; say, Shes one dimensional and lacking in empathetic traits, or similar.
4: Always try to find something positive to say, even if the writing is weak. A one-hundred percent negative critique cant help but discourage, and as Christians we want to encourage each other, which includes encouraging each other to be better writers. This doesnt mean we should be dishonest, only that we should take notice of the things a writer is doing rightand there is almost always at least one good element, if not more, even in a weaker attemptand make it a point to note the positive before launching into the negative.
5: Dont commit to more than you can fit into your schedule, or to a piece of writing you dislike. If you cant read an entire novel, do NOT volunteer to do so. Offer to read a chapter, an excerpt, or the opening. Or, if you start reading for someone and discover that you strongly dislike their style and/or subject matter, politely say so, and disengage. Nobodys best interest is served if a beta reader is gritting his or her teeth and slogging through a story like its cod liver oil; no one gives their best critique under those circumstances, and the writer tends not to receive a fair analysis.
6: Above all, dont try to second guess some nameless, faceless editor, agent or publisher. In other words, dont say, Editors dont like X and consider that a universally valid critique. For one thing, editors are people like everyone else, and have their own diverse and unique set of likes and dislikes. For another, the only opinion that you can speak about with absolute authority is your own. So by all means say, I dont like X, tell the writer why, and let it go at that. [There are exceptions. If the writer is tense shifting manically or head hopping like a kangaroo on steroids, you should point these things out within a broader context. If the only way a writer will listen is if theyre told that editors seriously dont like those practices, then so be it.]
7: Finally, one of the most helpful critiques you can give a fellow writer runs along the lines of, I stopped reading at chapter nine because I was bored. Up until that point the story held my attention, but starting with chapter eight the pace slowed and the plot sagged, and by nine I had completely lost interest. No author wants to hear that, but we all need to know if, when and why our story failed to hold a readers interest. So as a beta reader dont be shy; an honest reaction, kindly given, is always preferable to the alternative.
Okay, I'll start the ball rolling by extending a beta offer. My story is YA Fantasy. If youd like details, and if youd like to tell me about a story youd like to have betaed in return, please PM me.
A beta reader is a person who will read all or part of your unpublished ms and give you his or her honest opinion about what works and what doesnt. Its great to have friends and family read your stories, and if they love what you write, all the better. Theres no substitute, though, for having a fellow writer take a look. Youre likely to get a more impartial opinion, for one thing, and the odds are greater that a writer will be able to tell you why certain aspects of your story work while other elements dont.
In case anyone is interested in giving beta reading, or beta exchanges, a try, here are a few dos and donts.
1: Always thank your beta. They gave you their time and attention, even if (as sometimes happens) they didnt give you much by way of helpful feedback. So be gracious and say thanks.
2: Dont argue with your beta. If he or she says, I dont like X about your story, dont come back with Well you should like X; its a very strong component! You can certainly ask why the beta didnt like that particular element or character, but its just not logical to tell them they should have; theyre just honestly reporting how they reacted (providing, of course, they were being honest, and I assume most are).
3: Corollary to above: if you beta for someone, by all means be honest. Not brutal, harsh or cruel, but definitely honest. And be willing to back up your critiques. Dont say, I didnt like character X because she reminded me of my Great Aunt Tilly; say, Shes one dimensional and lacking in empathetic traits, or similar.
4: Always try to find something positive to say, even if the writing is weak. A one-hundred percent negative critique cant help but discourage, and as Christians we want to encourage each other, which includes encouraging each other to be better writers. This doesnt mean we should be dishonest, only that we should take notice of the things a writer is doing rightand there is almost always at least one good element, if not more, even in a weaker attemptand make it a point to note the positive before launching into the negative.
5: Dont commit to more than you can fit into your schedule, or to a piece of writing you dislike. If you cant read an entire novel, do NOT volunteer to do so. Offer to read a chapter, an excerpt, or the opening. Or, if you start reading for someone and discover that you strongly dislike their style and/or subject matter, politely say so, and disengage. Nobodys best interest is served if a beta reader is gritting his or her teeth and slogging through a story like its cod liver oil; no one gives their best critique under those circumstances, and the writer tends not to receive a fair analysis.
6: Above all, dont try to second guess some nameless, faceless editor, agent or publisher. In other words, dont say, Editors dont like X and consider that a universally valid critique. For one thing, editors are people like everyone else, and have their own diverse and unique set of likes and dislikes. For another, the only opinion that you can speak about with absolute authority is your own. So by all means say, I dont like X, tell the writer why, and let it go at that. [There are exceptions. If the writer is tense shifting manically or head hopping like a kangaroo on steroids, you should point these things out within a broader context. If the only way a writer will listen is if theyre told that editors seriously dont like those practices, then so be it.]
7: Finally, one of the most helpful critiques you can give a fellow writer runs along the lines of, I stopped reading at chapter nine because I was bored. Up until that point the story held my attention, but starting with chapter eight the pace slowed and the plot sagged, and by nine I had completely lost interest. No author wants to hear that, but we all need to know if, when and why our story failed to hold a readers interest. So as a beta reader dont be shy; an honest reaction, kindly given, is always preferable to the alternative.
Okay, I'll start the ball rolling by extending a beta offer. My story is YA Fantasy. If youd like details, and if youd like to tell me about a story youd like to have betaed in return, please PM me.
