Beta Readers

QUESTION:  What is a beta reader?

The term "beta reader" is a bit mushy in definition according to who uses it, but the most common usage is a reader who reads most if not all of your book after you write it and before you send it off to the agent or editor.  That's as opposed to a critique partner who works with you through the whole process.  

Often the beta reader is a reader, not a writer, so you are allowing a test run of your book.  The beta reader should be a fan of your genre.  Someone who hates romance or doesn’t read it isn’t your ideal audience. 

Sometimes, if your book has specialized knowledge in it, your beta reader is an expert on that knowledge so they are reading to be certain you got it right.  For example, if your heroine is a physicist and her theories are part of the story, you should find a physicist in her field to vet the book for accuracy.  Often, these readers will only read specific parts of the novel that deals with their specialty.  

Like critique partners, some beta readers are excellent while others are absolutely useless.  Be sure to have more than one so you get a better sense of both the quality of the readers as well as the quality of your novel.  

Ethics of Critiquing

 Never talk about what you critique to others.

Never show someone else's work to others.

Never "borrow" a critique partner's ideas or characters.

Respect others' time. Critique in a timely manner, and don't send your life's work at once.

Agree upon an amount of work (a chapter or more) and stick to it unless the other person agrees to see more.

Agree on what each of you wants from a critique and give it. Some of the choices are a general overview, copyediting only, or a check on accuracy from an expert.  

The checklist I blogged about last week is also a good starting place.

Be specific. Be fair. Be kind. Don't say, "I hate this." Say, "Your hero is unpleasant because...," or, "He may be rude to the heroine here, but show he is a nice person to others so the reader can like him and see him as a worthy hero."

ALSO mention what works. "The heroine is really charming. I loved the way she...," or "Your descriptions are excellent. I could see the waves around the pirate ship and smell the ocean."

Don't be too kind. If you see a problem, mention it so it can be fixed. It's kinder in the long term for her to know this problem now rather than in the rejection letter from an editor.

Ask questions if you don't understand a comment, but don't defend your work. It's a waste of time for both of you.

Anger is a waste of time, as well. It's no fun to be told that your writing isn't perfect, but you'll have to learn to deal with it. Even the best writers in the world have editors who change things so learn to deal with criticism or forget about a writing career.

If you can’t control your anger, walk away from the critique for a while then come back.  

Respect each other's voice and individuality. Don't suggest rewrites as you would do it.  Instead, suggest rewrites that will improve the author's vision.

Respect your own voice and vision. The critiquer can only give SUGGESTIONS. Only you can decide whether to change your work. Only you know what you are trying to achieve with the entire book.

Always thank your critiquer because she gave up writing time to help you.

NOTE:  Feel free to copy this to share with a critique partner, but if you'd like to share this text otherwise online, please ask my permission.  You need not ask permission to link back to this article.  

Critiquing Questions

 The critique questions below are only some of the questions you'll ask yourself as you critique another person's work. Add to this list as you need to.

It’s always a good idea for both of you to have a list to share with the other.  

CRITIQUING A CHAPTER OVER A PERIOD OF TIME (SEVERAL REWRITES)

THE FIRST CRITIQUE QUESTIONS

The first critique should be an overview of plot and character. Questions you should ask include--

Does this chapter advance the story?

Tell more about the characters?

Give plot information?

Does it work with the chapter before it?

Specific elements to examine in a general critique are

PLOT

Do the characters and plot work well together, or is the plot just pasted on?

Does it make sense?

Does one thing lead to another?

Has the story started at the right place?

Does the action escalate?

Are more plot questions asked before a plot question is resolved?

Does the plot fit genre boundaries?

CHARACTERS

Does each character sound different?

Are the characters doing what they, as characters and personalities, should be doing, or are they being moved around for the convenience of the author?

Do we understand why they are doing certain things?

Does each major character have a strength and a weakness which will be affected by the plot?

In the romantic relationship, is their emotional conflict strong enough for the length of the work?

Will it take more than one long talk to resolve their conflict?

Does their romantic relationship work with the action plot?

In the action plot, is the conflict between the hero and his opponent strong enough?

Is the opponent strong enough to really push the hero to his limits?

LATER CRITIQUES

Later critiques should also examine the nuts and bolts of grammar, spelling, language, dialogue, point of view, correct historical and scientific information, etc.

Finding a Critique Group

Some places you can find a critique partner or group are local writer's groups (only if there are others who write in your genre or subgenre), RWA chapters, or other writers' groups.

I’ve listed some links below with advice on finding critique groups, partners, etc.  

WHEN CRITIQUE GROUPS DON’T WORK

http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/2011/01/know-when-your-critique-group-doesnt.html

DEALING WITH REJECTION AND THE BAD CRITIQUE:

http://www.andrewjackwriting.com/2011/01/five-strategies-for-writers-to-deal-with-rejection-and-critique/

PLACES TO FIND CRITIQUE PARTNERS ONLINE:

http://thewritelife.com/find-a-critique-partner

TELL YOUR CRITIQUE PARTNER EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT:

http://thewritepractice.com/critique-partners

LOOKING FOR A CRITIQUE PARTNER?

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2017/01/are-you-looking-for-critique-group-or.html

HOW TO FIND AND BE A GREAT CRITIQUE PARTNER:

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2016/08/how-to-find-and-be-great-critique.html