tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post7370548717698724898..comments2023-08-25T01:57:32.960-07:00Comments on LM Preston: WHY HAVE BETA READERSLM Prestonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16624508396760965680noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-34087539431538501192011-04-06T15:10:07.121-07:002011-04-06T15:10:07.121-07:00I've been reading a lot about beta readers. Fo...I've been reading a lot about beta readers. Forgive my ignorance on the subject, but what point in the writing process is the best time to send it out to them? After fully edited, for example? I found this post to be extremely helpful, by the way. Thank you.L.J. Kentowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09441452137277057123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-73625698052649643012010-10-18T16:03:01.183-07:002010-10-18T16:03:01.183-07:00I agree! Not only is it important to get beta rea...I agree! Not only is it important to get beta readers for your own manuscript, it is invaluable to do it for others.Lisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-11891023481684011912010-10-12T12:22:20.893-07:002010-10-12T12:22:20.893-07:00I was just thinking about my teen betas(3 girls &a...I was just thinking about my teen betas(3 girls & 1 boy) that I have lined up to read my wip. After reading your post it made me wonder if you have set questions or do you make them up as you go(write)?<br /><br />I want them to give me feedback, and feel if I don't do a questionnaire form of some type they might just be nice.<br /><br />Any thoughts?<br />Thanks for the great post.<br />AnnaWhat Do You Live For?https://www.blogger.com/profile/07060514504373905529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-26430537715806509312010-07-22T04:56:25.687-07:002010-07-22T04:56:25.687-07:00Also, I believe beta readers prepare you for posit...Also, I believe beta readers prepare you for positive and negative comments from reviewers. You can't please everyone in this business, but running it through betas helps the writer to accept that not everyone will 'get' what you are writing. Also, it will reveal the strenghts of your writing while giving you an opportunity to fix things that may deter from the tale you are weaving.LM Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16624508396760965680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-55550477687840477092010-07-21T18:06:38.416-07:002010-07-21T18:06:38.416-07:00I wholeheartedly agree with that post.
In video ga...I wholeheartedly agree with that post.<br />In video games, we have playtesters and they are the key to making sure a game is fun for the intended audience. I'm used to that so I'm naturally inclined to have beta readers for my writing.<br /><br />I have one writing-inclined friend who gets to hear early drafts. Not read. I read it out loud to her and watch her first reactions to the story which helps fix it pretty early. Reading my story outloud also raises my awareness of redundancies.<br /><br />Since I'm writing my first novel in French, I have a group of French beta readers who will provide a first batch of comments that I will address while translating my story to English. Then send it out to English beta readers.<br />Both groups contain people that are my audience and people that aren't.<br /><br />It's nice to have a confirmation in your post that I'm on the right track. ;)Aheïlahttp://thewriteaholicblog.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-82347348428085488142010-07-21T07:19:27.505-07:002010-07-21T07:19:27.505-07:00I wouldn't dream of turning in a manuscript be...I wouldn't dream of turning in a manuscript before my beta readers dissected it.<br /><br />They keep me honest.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-41589832935760994392010-07-21T05:59:55.948-07:002010-07-21T05:59:55.948-07:00I have to LOL about the dating comment, because fi...I have to LOL about the dating comment, because finding good critique partners is a BIT like dating: although you don't have to be matched in skill levels, you do have to have similarities in temperment, or at least the ability to critique openly and honestly (and be able to take a critique too). Finding a good match is not easy, but well worth it.<br /><br />I think there is tremendous value in giving/receiving critiques from people whose writing skills are more advanced and less advanced than yours. A reader may not be able to school you in grammar, but they know if they voice or tone is off, or can spot plot holes. Likewise, a writer who is more skilled in craft can help you tremendously - but this goes both ways, which means giving a helping hand to those just starting out.<br /><br />Writing is the most supportive community I've ever worked in, and I'm glad to be a part of it.<br /><br />Great post, LM!Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1311335624850028436.post-42342507330241211662010-07-21T04:28:21.816-07:002010-07-21T04:28:21.816-07:00Yeah, this is something that I am seriously lackin...Yeah, this is something that I am seriously lacking. The main reason for this, and I totally don't mean to seem arrogant here, is that the beta reader pool seems to be mostly women who would rather tell me that my story is "wonderful" and flirt with me rather than be critical. "Oh, that was terrific" is not the feedback I'm looking for. On the other hand, my editor said the book needed serious work then proceeded to berate me for not being willing to date her. It's a disaster.<br /><br />That said, I went over "Dying Light" with as fine a toothed comb I could find, always asking myself questions about why the characters did this or that, if things made sense or was I just interjecting "this cool thing" into a chapter for the hell of it. I'm still doing that, although I would love to find a reasonable beta reader that 1) had a clue about writing, and 2) didn't have another agenda.SJ Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09304177082159067335noreply@blogger.com