Recently, Aimee and Young Writer's Treehouse posted about beta reading, and I would like to add in my thoughts.
I've beta read quite a few novels this past year, and each of them have had very different approaches in this "beta reading" thing. They all worked for me, but I had things I liked and didn't like about each process (or at least for some of the processes).
If you're going to have beta readers or are needing beta readers in the near future, take notes and bookmark this! Beta readers are doing you a hugeeee favor, and it's good to make things easy for them.
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tell them exactly what you are looking for.
This is VERY important. Are you looking for:
- General comments in an email at the end?
- Comments after every chapter?
- Reader reactions?
- Line by line edits?
I feel like everyone's definition of beta reading is a little different, so make sure you KNOW what you want from your beta readers, and don't be afraid to say it bluntly. If you want comments after every chapter of what they did and didn't like, mention that. Beta readers won't do it on their own.
give them a deadline.
You probably want the novel back by a certain point. Your beta readers are probably busy. If you don't give them a deadline, it could very well be that you won't get it back for a few months. Make it a reasonable deadline, at least a week or two, preferably more. Most of your beta readers are going to be other writers, and they have deadlines of their own.
on asking questions.
I really, really, REALLY like it when someone I'm beta reading for has a list of specific questions for me to answer once I'm done with the novel. This benefits for both the author and the beta reader because:
- the beta readers doesn't have to try to cover EVERYTHING they liked and didn't like.
- the author can get the specific questions answered they're wondering about.
sending the questions.
- In an email.
- through a Google Form. (I thought this was neat, the answers being anonymous and all. *shrug*)
- Invite them to a Google Document.
- Attach a Word Document.
I personally like knowing what questions are going to be asked before I beta read so I can be thinking about it throughout the whole novel. Then my answers aren't just "It was all good," answers. :p
the questions themselves.
Again, everyone does this different ways. Two people I beta read for didn't even ask questions. (It's hard when that happens, so please, I beg you, send questions)
The other two people I beta read for kept it within 10-20 questions, and this is a good range to keep it in. Your beta readers just read your whole novel, and it takes time to answer a bunch of questions. So keep it short, keep the possible answers concise, and make sure to create a list beforehand so you have it ready.
offer something in return.
This isn't needed, but it's always nice to have someone offer to beta read/critique your novel in the future. Or you could guest post on their blog. Or if they loved your novel SO much, offer them a chance to beta read again in the future. xD
thank them.
This might seem obvious, but I've not always been thanked. And when I take a good chunk out of my day when I could be writing or blogging or editing, not being thanked makes me feel like my efforts to do a good job aren't worthwhile.
So if you appreciate their feedback or not, THANK THEM! Just do it. Two words. It doesn't take long.
- - -
Once I use beta readers of my own (shooting for February! :D), I'll write up a post on how beta readers can help those they're beta reading for, so look forward to that though it's far away. :p
- Katie Grace
Have you used beta readers before? Experiences? Thoughts? Anything else to add to this list?
OH! And how many beta readers do you think one should have?!
Oh, now this was quite a helpful post! I don't see things related to beta readers very often, and I was curious about a few of the things you mentioned here.
ReplyDeleteI had a wonderful fellow writer read my book-in-progress a while ago and tell me what she thought of it. I only had 5 chapters out (..and still only have 5 chapters out. Whoops.), and so I didn't expect much. I just wanted to see if there were any major problems that she noticed. She was sooo helpful, my goodness! And detailed! I was able to correct so many mistakes because of the time she took out to do that for me. I didn't have a list of questions since it wasn't a full novel, but I definitely made sure she knew I appreciated her help.
Thanks for writing this, Katie!
Thank you!
DeleteThat's awesome! And yay for you for being brave enough to send it to her. I hate having other people read my work. xD *hands chocolate* Keep writing -- you can finish it. :D
In all honesty, prior to reading this post, I was unfamiliar with the entire concept of 'beta readers' (I know, I must have been living in a cave for the entirety of my life or something!); so I'm especially glad that I stumbled across your post.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, if a writer desires a thorough and truthful opinion, then they need to include specific questions for use by beta readers, and must show at least some appreciation.
A fantastic post!
Kate x
www.theteenaspect.blogspot.co.uk
It's hard, because you hear SO much about beta readers, but I find very few articles on beta readers and always find that process super interesting.
DeleteThank you! :)
This is a great post to have bookmarked! I am shooting for October to November to find some beta readers. It is good to know what they want. :)
ReplyDeleteHuzzah! I'm excited for you -- you'll have to tell me how it goes. *wink*
DeleteI will most certainly keep this in mind when time is ripe. XD
ReplyDelete'Tis a good idea. xD
DeleteGreat post! My sister and I beta-read each other's work, which is a bit of a different experience but still comes with its own set of challenges. I think an important point to keep in mind is that not everyone will have the same opinion about your story--some people will "get" it and others won't--but that doesn't mean that the story itself is badly written. A lot of it comes down to individual taste.
ReplyDeleteOh, most definitely. Since people have such different tastes, some will love it, and others... won't. I think the important thing that beta readers should say their remarks kindly and not slam the author and the story.
DeleteThis is an awesome post!! All of this is so, so true. I don't beta read very often, because I fell bad if I can't make deadlines and like I should focus on my own writing. At least, that's where I am at this time in my life. Anyway, this is all stuff that I do when searching for betas...this is a great list!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE beta reading, but I always feel so unhelpful. Most of my computers are "Ooh, this was good. Yes, I love this scene. And this scene. AND ALL OF IT, ACTUALLY."
DeleteI'm better at line edits. :p
Wow, this is a helpful post! I'm actually about to send a bunch of college application essays to a few beta-readers of mine. (They are patient, lovely people.) So, this is going to come in handy real soon. We're exchanging essays over the course of the month, so I've already got the "offer something in return" down pat. I'm still trying to think of other ways to thank them, just because they are literally saving my life right now! And keeping me sane. That's important too. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article, Katie!
Ooh, that's awesome!
DeleteHm... Giftcards? Notebooks? Office supplies? ;)
Thank you for commenting!
A great article. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think someone should have about five beta readers... Not too many, but enough that you can get varied opinions.
February? That's so exciting! xD Have you picked out beta readers yet?
Thank youuu. ;)
Delete*nods* That's a good idea. I don't want to have too many, but yet there are so many possible beta readers out there. :p *sigh*
I knoww! *is kinda freaked out about handing the novel to other people* o.o I don't have specific people picked out yet. I'll start asking/maybe put something out on the blog at the beginning of next year to see who's interesting. ^.^
Ahem. I meant "who's interested." xD *wishes she could edit comments*
Delete*wishes the same thing* I meant "possible beta readers", by the way... :-P
DeleteAh. Yes, I have some possible people in mind... You could be one! xD
DeleteThat would be pretty epic. xD
DeleteThis is a really good post!
ReplyDeleteI don't need beta readers yet, but hopefully within the next year. I have beta read often though. The first time I did, I was not sure exactly what it was. I had thought it was like line by line editing. . . it seems I was wrong. I try to avoid that now. Unless it's asked of me. Though most of the time I'm just given a manuscript and asked to read it with the possibility of questions later. I usually make comments as I read, most of them are reactions/fangirl. Sometimes there are other things too. Whether it's a mistake, or inconsistency. But at the end, I always write a kind of wrap-up email which usually includes what I liked overall, any prevalent problems/mistakes that may have existed, and of course a little more fangirling couldn't hurt. ;)
Thank youu, Ashley! <3
DeleteAh, reactions/fangirl comments are so funnnn. :D I would probably squeal and fall over if someone were to do it to me. xD
You sound like an awesome beta reader. :)
Yes! I feel like some of my own beta reading experiences have been lacking either because I didn't get what I wanted out of the story or because I wasn't able to give what they wanted because of our poor communication skills at the beginning of the deal. I think making sure that you're both able to give what needs giving beforehand saves a lot of pain and work and confusion later on, so this is definitely something helpful to consider. Thanks for your thoughts, Katie!
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome! :D Communication is definitely important, and it would help sort out a lot of confusion. xD
DeleteThanks for adding in your thoughts!
This is great, and I would agree with pretty much all of it both as a beta reader and someone who's had betas. :D Providing specifics and having good communication is absolutely necessary, and I've been frustrated on both sides by not getting the information I needed or not having the other person respond with the information I need. I like being given deadlines and stuff like that, too. As you know I just had my first set of betas (wonder how you'd know that :P) and I learned a LOT from that experience and being on that end -- it was neat getting to figure out what worked and what didn't for next time.
ReplyDeleteYou had betas?! *gasp*
DeleteAhhh, I'm so excited about getting betas sometime in the future. I'll probably message you and ask for your experienced professional help. ;)
*hugs this post* I'd never actually had anyone list questions for me until quite recently, so I didn't realize how helpful it was. But oh man, I loved having that reference while reading so I could know specific things to pay attention to. It helps me because I'm super busy and juggling more projects than I should, so some details will slip through the cracks if they aren't marked as high priority. Also, yes, I definitely need to know what level of critiquing/commenting I'm wanted/expected to do. I love to line edit, but I always worry that's overstepping my bounds, so I usually ask if it isn't specified. I don't want to offer too much advice and make someone hate me. I don't want to offer too little when I'm free to speak my mind. I can ask, but it always sets me at ease when the person I'm reading for tells me up front. Also, yes, I love being thanked. Those two words can turn a mountain of worry into a sense of relief that I did something maybe possibly helpful. And the deadlines are good too, because I'm busy and it helps to know how I need to prioritize things and whether I can even take a project on or not. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAH, I totally agree with everything you said here. :D
DeleteYeah, I'm a huge line editor, and that's my best way of critiquing for people. Beta-ing is sometimes hard because it's just so GENERAL, but often line edits can come across as harsh or too blunt. *le sigh*
And totally. A list of questions is helpful so I know what to focus on, because my mind moves a million miles per minute and I forget things SO easily. I mean, right after I finish book I forget the character's names, so I need help. xD
Thank you for commenting!
I've been a beta reader for someone else and I can say these tips are very helpful and great! I've actually never had anyone beta read for me. But thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDelete~Noor
a little bit of sunshine
Thank you!
DeleteI know. It's hard to get to that point where you're ready for a beta reader. There's SO much line editing and rewriting and editing and proofreading to go into that. :p
This was very helpful Katie, thanks for posting it! I'm hoping to get some beta readers for my novella when it is finished, so I am definitely book marking this post for future reference :).
ReplyDelete~Savannah P.
This is a great post. ^ ^ I recently had betas and it went really well. These are some great tips for next time. :) The list of questions is a good idea. Six is a good number of betas for me. Too many can be overwhelming and too few can not give you diverse enough opinions.
ReplyDeletestoritorigrace.blogspot.com
:) Excellent post! Yes, I love it when I get questions to answer!!! It really helps to focus my reading when I'm critiquing a piece of work. That way I know to focus on the relationship between character A and B and not the setting. And it's great to give questions too because then you get your questions answered that you're not sure of. Thanks for visiting The Endless Oceans of my Mind!
ReplyDeleteOh, most definitely. It's hard when the questions get asked afterwards, though, especially if I'm not looking for them. "How did you like Character C?"
DeleteMe: "Uh... I wasn't paying attention to them..." xD
Really belated response here, but...
DeleteAs a writer, I would find "Uh, I wasn't paying attention to Character C" a really useful comment, especially if I was hoping my readers would have a strong reaction to Char C--obviously I've not done my job well enough! I know writers who tell their betas specifically NOT to read their questions in advance because it skews their perspective in advance and causes them to read the story in a way they wouldn't otherwise.
On the other hand, I can definitely see where something general like "Please focus specifically on the characters" or "I'm concerned about my pacing" would be useful in advance, because otherwise, as Victoria mentioned, you might be focusing on something else, like the setting.
Ultimately I think it comes down to whether your beta-reader is approaching the story as though s/he's reading the published work (with all its elements combined) or being asked to read for, and comment on, something specific--and that might be an additional thing to tell your betas before they begin.
Hmmm, that's actually a really good point on the questions. I'd probably split it up and give readers a few questions to think about WHILE they're reading but I love the idea of asking questions like you pointed out AFTER they finish the story.
Delete*nod* Thank you so much for your thoughts, Kate! Very insightful. :)
Ohh this is a great great post. THANK YOU FOR THIS. I've had several beta readers and, gah, I think I've done a bit of everything?!? But you just reminded me about the list of questions! THAT is an excellent idea and I should do it again. :P I always feel pushy if I keep asking questions after they're done...so just having the questions all set out up front is a glorious idea. x)
ReplyDeleteACK THANK YOU FOR COMMENTING. This gives me all the warm fuzzy feelings and eeep. xD
DeleteSame hereee. Like, I never feel like the author is being pushy when they ask questions, but if I did that to my readers I just wouldn't want to force things on them. :P So if they agree to answer questions when they sign up it just all works out for the better. :P