Post by Mariah E. on Apr 2, 2014 2:28:56 GMT
I posted this on tumblr, but thought it would be handy to post it in here for all of you. If you like, feel free to stop by tumblr after you've read it and reblog it.
I’ve done a lot of beta reading over the years. I’m also a writer, so I’ve also had stuff beta read for me over the years. I thought it would be fun to offer up some tips for the beta reader and the writer.
If you’re a writer:
The first rule of finding a beta reader is that your family doesn’t count. Family and close friends might seem like a fine first choice…but don’t do it, really, trust me. Chances are your good friends are not only super biased, but they’re also super scared. They don’t want to hurt your feelings so they’re going to hold back. They’re not going to tell you things, and that’s no help at all.
Beta readers are like potato chips, you can’t have just one. Unless you have a super star beta reader, chances are you’re going to need a few. This is especially true if you’ve never worked with the readers you’ve recruited before. I hate to break this to you, but many people will offer to beta read for you and NEVER come through. You will send them your story and you will NEVER hear from them again. Besides, you want more than one point of view on your story.
Beta readers are not editors. They are not there to fix your spelling mistakes and your grammar, and if you want the best feedback possible, you will do this yourself before sending off your manuscript to them.
Give your beta readers questions to answer. Stuff like “Are my characters believable?” or “Is there anything that seems unrealistic?” maybe you’re curious about your dialogue. If you have specific questions, let them know. And if you want to wait until they’ve finished before asking, that’s fine too. Maybe you want to see if they notice something on their own and don’t want to mention it up front, that’s okay too.
Check your feelings at the door. I know, it’s hard. You’ve likely spent hours, months even toiling over this thing. To you, it’s more than words on a screen. It’s part of you, it’s like a child to you and now you’re going to have to send it to strangers to be scrutinized. It’s hard, especially if it comes back ill received. If the beta reader didn’t like it, find out why. Was there some sort of inconsistency? Were your characters three dimensional or did they fall flat? Is it just a matter of personal preference?
Find readers that read the genre you’re writing. Let’s face it, you want your beta readers to enjoy your book so find people who read the genre you wrote in. There’s little sense in someone beta reading your sci-fi novel if they’ve never read one before. A sci-fi reader will be able to give you better feedback.
Now, my tips for beta readers.
Be kind, but honest. If you didn’t like it, that’s fine, but you owe the writer the reasons. Point out scenes that fell flat, characters that acted out of character, dialogue that doesn’t work. Point out the plot holes and the inconsistencies. Say anything you feel you need to say as long as you are polite and constructive about your comments. There is no need to be nasty.
Be timely. If you don’t have time, say so. The only thing worse than a beta reader with bad feedback is a beta reader with NO feedback at all. It’s frustrating to have someone offer to do something, then not follow through.
Point out the good things. We writers love this. Point out a sentence you love or a scene that touched you. We also need to know what works.
Last, but not least…have fun.
I’ve done a lot of beta reading over the years. I’m also a writer, so I’ve also had stuff beta read for me over the years. I thought it would be fun to offer up some tips for the beta reader and the writer.
If you’re a writer:
The first rule of finding a beta reader is that your family doesn’t count. Family and close friends might seem like a fine first choice…but don’t do it, really, trust me. Chances are your good friends are not only super biased, but they’re also super scared. They don’t want to hurt your feelings so they’re going to hold back. They’re not going to tell you things, and that’s no help at all.
Beta readers are like potato chips, you can’t have just one. Unless you have a super star beta reader, chances are you’re going to need a few. This is especially true if you’ve never worked with the readers you’ve recruited before. I hate to break this to you, but many people will offer to beta read for you and NEVER come through. You will send them your story and you will NEVER hear from them again. Besides, you want more than one point of view on your story.
Beta readers are not editors. They are not there to fix your spelling mistakes and your grammar, and if you want the best feedback possible, you will do this yourself before sending off your manuscript to them.
Give your beta readers questions to answer. Stuff like “Are my characters believable?” or “Is there anything that seems unrealistic?” maybe you’re curious about your dialogue. If you have specific questions, let them know. And if you want to wait until they’ve finished before asking, that’s fine too. Maybe you want to see if they notice something on their own and don’t want to mention it up front, that’s okay too.
Check your feelings at the door. I know, it’s hard. You’ve likely spent hours, months even toiling over this thing. To you, it’s more than words on a screen. It’s part of you, it’s like a child to you and now you’re going to have to send it to strangers to be scrutinized. It’s hard, especially if it comes back ill received. If the beta reader didn’t like it, find out why. Was there some sort of inconsistency? Were your characters three dimensional or did they fall flat? Is it just a matter of personal preference?
Find readers that read the genre you’re writing. Let’s face it, you want your beta readers to enjoy your book so find people who read the genre you wrote in. There’s little sense in someone beta reading your sci-fi novel if they’ve never read one before. A sci-fi reader will be able to give you better feedback.
Now, my tips for beta readers.
Be kind, but honest. If you didn’t like it, that’s fine, but you owe the writer the reasons. Point out scenes that fell flat, characters that acted out of character, dialogue that doesn’t work. Point out the plot holes and the inconsistencies. Say anything you feel you need to say as long as you are polite and constructive about your comments. There is no need to be nasty.
Be timely. If you don’t have time, say so. The only thing worse than a beta reader with bad feedback is a beta reader with NO feedback at all. It’s frustrating to have someone offer to do something, then not follow through.
Point out the good things. We writers love this. Point out a sentence you love or a scene that touched you. We also need to know what works.
Last, but not least…have fun.