tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post4955367057012790514..comments2023-12-02T05:59:27.143-05:00Comments on YAtopia: Beta Readers: Who, When, Where, and Why?SM Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-20064415054841630382012-07-10T11:56:26.095-04:002012-07-10T11:56:26.095-04:00Having a lot can be a good thing, so long as the n...Having a lot can be a good thing, so long as the number works for you. And I agree--sometimes having readers as opposed to writes is a good thing! They're focusing in on the emotion, plot, and characters and not as much to the editing, grammar, spelling aspect of it, I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-16450849647011221452012-07-10T11:50:18.285-04:002012-07-10T11:50:18.285-04:00Thanks, Michelle! And I agree. Sometimes I worry I...Thanks, Michelle! And I agree. Sometimes I worry I might be hurting someone's feelings with a note, and I do try to word them nicely, but it's helping in the long run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-35381843098502466422012-07-10T11:48:32.935-04:002012-07-10T11:48:32.935-04:00I definitely think writers need to not be lazy. Wr...I definitely think writers need to not be lazy. Writers shouldn't assume because an editor or beta will be looking for issues, they don't have to edit themselves. Like you said--that can get costly if a writer is paying for freelance editing. <br /><br />Too many opinions can hurt, yes. It's important to know which information to leave, and which to take. When I'm giving notes, I try to differentiate between what *needs* fixing (a plot whole, grammar, continuity issues) and what is simply my opinion (would it be better if...). If I see the same issue brought up by more than one beta, though, I know it's something I need to take a look at.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-56220896768787310492012-07-10T11:44:01.121-04:002012-07-10T11:44:01.121-04:00I have one solid CP, too, who has read every singl...I have one solid CP, too, who has read every single book I've written. Otherwise, I'll ask friends/other writers who I think might be interested or have the time. I would be overwhelmed with half a dozen of them, though!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-83296706139949861702012-07-10T11:42:12.975-04:002012-07-10T11:42:12.975-04:00You're welcome, Victoria. Thanks for stopping ...You're welcome, Victoria. Thanks for stopping by!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-78708751975439242492012-07-10T11:41:27.950-04:002012-07-10T11:41:27.950-04:00I only met one of my CPs on Absolute Write. Others...I only met one of my CPs on Absolute Write. Others I've met through various other means. The internet is a wide, wide world. You never know who you're going to meet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-5515939023318168312012-07-10T11:39:04.236-04:002012-07-10T11:39:04.236-04:00Definitely check out AW and maybe post in the beta...Definitely check out AW and maybe post in the beta forum! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-68603387731991021702012-07-10T11:38:29.860-04:002012-07-10T11:38:29.860-04:00Many authors start out thinking they don't nee...Many authors start out thinking they don't need a beta. I did, too! Thankfully I learned early on. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-21001947901298560722012-07-10T11:37:47.154-04:002012-07-10T11:37:47.154-04:00Definitely, Rachel. I don't like sending messy...Definitely, Rachel. I don't like sending messy, unedited stuff to my CPs if I can help it. They shouldn't have to pick out every little mistake an author themselves can catch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-65542345848250846062012-07-10T11:36:29.818-04:002012-07-10T11:36:29.818-04:00I agree! My betas/CPs catch things I'd be emba...I agree! My betas/CPs catch things I'd be embarrassed if my editor or an agent saw.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-26018217252410652342012-07-10T09:32:48.624-04:002012-07-10T09:32:48.624-04:00The honesty part is the most important. If your be...The honesty part is the most important. If your beta reader thinks it, someone else is going to. It's also super important to remember that they are just being honest and trying to make your manuscript the best it can be! It's not personal, (it is), but you have to embrace it. Great article! Tweeting it!Michelle Flickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452307689508498982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-13270230896640051982012-07-10T07:10:53.781-04:002012-07-10T07:10:53.781-04:00I usually have the same amount of beta readers as ...I usually have the same amount of beta readers as I do cps. About 3. I find them among my peers, a group of writers I work with and sometimes I throw in someone I know reads a lot in the genre I write in but isn't a pro writer just to get a good idea of how I'm doing.Traci Kenworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07336373871521363649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-91177015553567390752012-07-09T22:56:57.676-04:002012-07-09T22:56:57.676-04:00It's funny because even as a freelance editor,...It's funny because even as a freelance editor, and not a publishing house editor, I prefer for clients' work to be as close to polished as possible. Not grammatically, but as far as plot and characters. I want to be handed what the author thinks is their final draft. <br /><br />This is really for their benefit too. Editing isn't the cheapest thing ever and more than a few rounds of it for a novel can take a toll on one's wallet.<br /><br />For this reason, I always hope and recommend that my clients have beta readers to help them get their story in really good shape. (Every writers needs other eyes on their work.)<br /><br />This post helps me too, though, as I'm a writer myself and will be in the market for awesome beta readers eventually. So thank you.<br /><br />And finally, I agree with the last commenter (Margaret! hey I know her), too many opinions about one piece of writing can actually cause harm.Lauren I. Ruizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06209205516476369692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-74922446305140869482012-07-09T22:42:40.208-04:002012-07-09T22:42:40.208-04:00A lot of published authors I notice have anywhere ...A lot of published authors I notice have anywhere from five to seven or more beta readers. I've had one solid critique partner, a few betas, maybe two or three, and then some writing workshop buddies that have read a few chaps but have really pushed me forward. It's definitely important. I think the greater the number of betas, though, the more confusing it can get, so it's good to find a number you're comfortable with. You've got some great resources there, thanks for the share!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-9751585967308332892012-07-09T21:30:28.282-04:002012-07-09T21:30:28.282-04:00Very good article today! Thanks for the tips!Very good article today! Thanks for the tips!Victoria Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983121458179944639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-12348771165713203082012-07-09T21:17:12.801-04:002012-07-09T21:17:12.801-04:00Oh, and Kelley, check out my blog :) You might fin...Oh, and Kelley, check out my blog :) You might find a surprise :)SC Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382410035007943921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-60168121482625252772012-07-09T17:01:50.528-04:002012-07-09T17:01:50.528-04:00I have both beta readers and critique partners and...I have both beta readers and critique partners and both are an integral part of writing and rewriting my books. My betas I met through blogging, while my crit partners I met on writing.com.Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-14687917759243615412012-07-09T14:48:19.317-04:002012-07-09T14:48:19.317-04:00You must be a mind reader. I have been searching f...You must be a mind reader. I have been searching for a beta reader (not a crit partner) for a VERY long time!SC Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382410035007943921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-74827992852648582182012-07-09T13:08:16.543-04:002012-07-09T13:08:16.543-04:00Excellent advice. I'm still learning the whos ...Excellent advice. I'm still learning the whos and wheres, and this post is an invaluable resource. When I started writing I was one of those who thought I didn't need a beta - I'm so glad I learned to think differently.Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06102199553293874800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-71006468288296023702012-07-09T12:49:37.776-04:002012-07-09T12:49:37.776-04:00Not sure if I missed this part, but it's also ...Not sure if I missed this part, but it's also important to make sure your work is ready to be read when you seek a beta reader. That you've had it critiqued and edited. <br /><br />I've met my critique partners on the LadiesWhoCritique website, at writer's meetings and book signings. :) Very rarely do I use a writer to be my beta reader. So, my beta readers, I've met through friends and family. I was on the lookout for a teen to read my YA dark fantasy novel, and ended up meeting a sixteen-year-old young woman who loves to read at a bar-b-que. Score! :)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12870655070026853342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-4998543572086130292012-07-09T12:47:18.381-04:002012-07-09T12:47:18.381-04:00Beta readers are amazing and it's so so so imp...Beta readers are amazing and it's so so so important to have an outside opinion on your work. You get so lost in it all you simply can't see the mistakes. If not for my betas, my book would still contain a wide range of issues.Miss Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05014234633679291480noreply@blogger.com