*Quick Announcement* - I am on a mission trip until Saturday and will not answer comments until then.
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Beta reading is awesome, guys. I love being able to read someone's book before it is even finished and tell them how much I like it. However, in order to be an awesome beta reader, you must do more than that.
1. BE HONEST.
This is the #1 thing. The writer you are beta-ing for wants feedback to help better their book. Sparing them criticism is a beta reading no-no!
2. Look for things the writer specifically asks you to.
Sometimes, writers use beta readers to see how they did with a specific thing such as pacing, plot, and/or characters. Other times, a writer might ask you to look at the writing style. If the writer asks you do look for something, do it.
3. BE LOVING.
Another huge one. The 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, "Let all you do be done in love." This includes beta reading even if you really don't like the book. You are critiquing something a writer has spent a
lot of time on.
4. Point out positive things.
This assures the writer that he/she did some things right. (We writers are often plagued with self-doubt...especially when we shove it in someone's face to read. Utterly terrifying.)
5. Make sure the writer knows what confused you.
Whenever I beta read someone's book, I always point out stuff that confused me. In books, clarity is oh so important.
6. Point out things that need work.
Maybe provide some suggestions as well.
7. Never sound like you are attacking the writer.
Again, be loving.
8. Don't hold comments/suggestions back because you think they might be a little too harsh.
As long as you tell it in a loving way, you should tell the writer.
Bonus Tip for the Writer
- Welcome feedback.
Make sure you are ready to change your story. If you plan on publishing your book, you created it for the purpose of people reading it. If people think certain part need work or are confusing, you should listen to them. There are things you overlooked because you know this story better than anyone else in the world.
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What are tips you can give to beta-readers?
I'm working on a post about this! Helpful, these are. :P
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to read it, Rachael! :)
DeleteThese are great tips for beta-readers! I probably should've read these earlier. xD
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emily! :)
DeleteOoh, yep! Beta-reading is very, very fun; these are great tips! :)
ReplyDeleteBeta reading is very fun. :)
DeleteOkay, this is just right on!!!!! I might have to share this on my blog. When I have beta readers, this list is exactly what I am expecting of them. Sometime we can be "too loving" or not loving enough, and either hurt the author's feelings or not really help them at all. I try to be a mixture of these when I read new author's pieces...be loving and critical at the same time. Mix in critiques with complements! This makes the author SO happy! =) Thank YOU Alea!!!
ReplyDelete(and by the way, I love your profile picture....) ;)
Your comment is right on as well. ;) Thank you!
DeleteThis was an awesome post, Alea! Definitely something people should read before they beta for someone. Thanks for writing it!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Savannah. :) Thanks for reading!
DeleteSpot on! People want honest, kind, fangirling beta readers, people! The author should be open to improvement if their sharing their work at all, so spare nothing. The one thing I find I have to be careful of, though, is to make sure I am not changing everything into how I would write it. When it's your opinion, say that. Don't state all of your ideas as truth. Ultimately, it's up to the writer :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great point about readers' opinions. Thanks for bringing it up!
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