tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post73381724761253552..comments2023-06-04T08:18:05.065-04:00Comments on Starving Novelist: Doing Your Duty as a Beta ReaderSara Furlong-Burrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893391101864117298noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-80478913166038400642011-10-23T16:42:15.684-04:002011-10-23T16:42:15.684-04:00Good post. I've been writing some crits online...Good post. I've been writing some crits online for short stories, but I'm trying to jump off that cliff and agree to beta reading. <br /><br />Your post and the comments make it seem a little less daunting.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978176432357891953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-34020819116797596172011-10-22T11:44:40.482-04:002011-10-22T11:44:40.482-04:00I've only had on experience being a beta reade...I've only had on experience being a beta reader, and was surprised by not only how good it felt to help another writer, but how much I learned about my own writing from the experience. Looking at someone else's work with a critical eye helped identify some of my own strengths and weaknesses. It was definitely a win-win situation.Molly Springhttp://mollyspringwrites.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-19619397992191767962011-10-20T08:20:52.164-04:002011-10-20T08:20:52.164-04:00These are all great tips to consider in beta readi...These are all great tips to consider in beta reading. It's very important to sandwich the suggestions for improvement with positive comments. There's always good to point out in manuscripts.<br /><br />I just heard about you from Pam Torres. I live in Ann Arbor and grew up in Benton Harbor. My blog is Literary Rambles.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-38644326240747232522011-10-16T01:24:05.351-04:002011-10-16T01:24:05.351-04:00Great post! I will say I have become great friends...Great post! I will say I have become great friends with some of my beta readers. We have an understanding that when it comes to our writing we are ruthless, because we know editors will be.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02953440041536434213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-63558730865857184632011-10-16T00:16:24.490-04:002011-10-16T00:16:24.490-04:00Margaret-You're very welcome. Glad I could he...Margaret-You're very welcome. Glad I could help. Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />Ryan-If you're still looking I'd be more than happy to help.I'll only add a little bit of lime green eyeshadow. I agree, being a beta reader is like walking on a tightrope.<br /><br />Motown-Unfortunately, you're going to run into those type of people. :-( Look on the bright side, they must have enjoyed your writing if they asked for more, lol.<br /><br />Rach-To be honest with you, I really don't know. I think a freelance editor is more likely to get paid than a beta reader. I believe some beta readers (the more experienced ones who advertise their services) charge. Less experienced ones, however, will probably only ask that you read their work in return.<br /><br />amaranthmine-I thorougly enjoyed the beta reading process and I completely agree with you. Thank you for stopping by my blog!<br /><br />Dynielle-Thank you. I really appreciate it! I found a beta reader on Twitter where I've networked with literally thousands of other writers. You can also find them through writing forums such as Absolute Write.Sara Furlong-Burrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14893391101864117298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-74844471592768820052011-10-15T05:15:38.597-04:002011-10-15T05:15:38.597-04:00This is a great blog, it's very informative an...This is a great blog, it's very informative and helpful. Just a quick question, if someone is needing to find a beta reader, where can you go about finding one?Dyniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07929613681083340140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-60841507132641517452011-10-15T05:12:40.956-04:002011-10-15T05:12:40.956-04:00This is a great blog, so informative and helpful. ...This is a great blog, so informative and helpful. Just one question, where do you find a beta reader if you need one?Dyniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07929613681083340140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-59450595007550474782011-10-13T23:51:15.295-04:002011-10-13T23:51:15.295-04:00Beta reading has always been one of my favorite pa...Beta reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes. It's wonderful to be a part of someone else's creative process! These are very good reminders to be honest, but encouraging. It is good to immerse yourself in the writer's work, to understand their style, before you make suggestions. Because honestly, it's not about telling the writer what <i>you </i>would do with their work. It's helping them see what <i>they</i> might do to their own work. Thank you for the thought-provoking post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-24454508083253233442011-10-09T23:15:09.423-04:002011-10-09T23:15:09.423-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rachel Daven Skinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13323752507728470261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-71610630092820873842011-10-08T18:43:54.600-04:002011-10-08T18:43:54.600-04:00A lot of great things to keep in mind, thank you.
...A lot of great things to keep in mind, thank you.<br /><br />I'm curious, does one Pay beta readers? What's the difference between a beta reader and a freelance editor?Rachel Daven Skinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13323752507728470261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-85229175312151175082011-10-06T08:38:24.609-04:002011-10-06T08:38:24.609-04:00I sent out three books to people who requested to ...I sent out three books to people who requested to be a beta reader and I only got one response back. It was very helpful to my writing and I was very appreciative to that reader.<br /><br />I was very disappointed with the other ones and they had the nerve when I sent out another request for a different book to ask for a copy of that.Sylvia Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12058864162890325349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-42469638572482985852011-09-29T21:39:10.992-04:002011-09-29T21:39:10.992-04:00Nice one. If you know any that want to practice on...Nice one. If you know any that want to practice on me, I'm looking for beta readers. I don't mind if they cut my hair funky, or give me bright blue mascara, it's all in the way we learn.<br /><br />Seriously though, it is a fine balance being a beta reader sometimes, and I agree on Your Desires vs. Their Wants. Bridging that gap can be the skill needed to communicate effectively what you are trying to say.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02295181449703265231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3085903023777323950.post-5936068874568279482011-09-28T07:25:45.789-04:002011-09-28T07:25:45.789-04:00Very timely blog post for me because I'm beta ...Very timely blog post for me because I'm beta reading for a friend right now. It's tricky to suggest improvements in a way that won't harm the author's psyche. Thanks for the reminder to be honest!Margaret Yanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464624057491288244noreply@blogger.com