Hi Trickyverse--as promised, here is some great writing advice from author Lee Allen Howard. Below, you can also learn more about Lee and his writing and new novel Death Perception--T
Using Beta Readers to Evaluate Your Fiction
So, you’ve written a novel and done your revisions and polished
it as best you can. Is it ready to send to an agent or publisher—or to publish
yourself? Hard to tell.
Instead of crossing your fingers and exposing your
manuscript to the risk of immediate rejection, why not first let someone read
your book and provide feedback? If they spot any problems with story, plot,
characters, or writing, you’ll have a chance to improve your work before you
send it to someone who’ll buy.
Writers have been doing this forever, passing on their
finished manuscripts to a close circle of trusted readers. But for the new
novelist, it’s one more step along the path of learning to become a published
and professional writer.
Whom should you choose? It’s best not to choose someone who isn’t an avid reader, who doesn’t like
the genre you write in, or who won’t give you honest feedback (meaning both
praise and constructive criticism).
A good beta reader is someone who reads widely, reads in
your genre, and can discuss with intelligence the elements of fiction
(characters, plot, description, setting, dialog, narration, etc.). Your best
bet may be another writer whose back you can scratch at a later date.
If you’re working to deadline, it’s wise to set a date for
the review to be completed. Just make sure you give your reader plenty of time
to read, and agree on the deadline beforehand.
If there are specific issues you’re concerned about—for
example, “Does Mrs. Gulliver seem like a fully formed character to you, and are
her motivations understandable and sufficient to fuel the brutal murder she
commits?”—you may want to communicate these up front so that your beta reader
can be on the lookout as she reads. And make it clear that you’re looking for
constructive feedback to make your story better, not just ego strokes.
If you send an electronic file (.mobi, .epub, .pdf, or
other), make sure the copy is marked “BETA” on the cover page. Ditto for a
printed version. And if your printed version is looseleaf, put it in a binder
to keep the pages from getting lost. Invite your reader to make comments in the
margins as she reads.
This is your precious intellectual property. You may want to
include a copyright statement and warning on the title page and in the footer
of every page, along with the specific reader’s name.
For example:
On the title page: “BETA COPY 1, <date>”
In the footer of every page:
“Copyright 2013 <Your Full Name>. Duplication
prohibited. <Beta Reader’s Name>
- Beta Copy 1 - <date>”
This way, if you create more than one version, even if a
page is removed from the binder, you’ll know where it came from. Print a fresh
version for your next reader with the footer changed appropriately.
Once you hand your reader the manuscript, leave him alone. Don’t call or text
every day, asking about his progress and whether or not he likes it. The
exception here is inquiring about progress as you near your agreed-upon
deadline.
When the reading is done, it’s time for a talk with your
beta reader. You may want to prepare and print a list of questions about
characters, plot, description, setting, dialog, narration, and so on. If they
fill it out, you have their answers in writing.
If you sit down to interview, make sure you put her at ease
and encourage her to speak his mind candidly about his opinion. Then, let him
talk, and keep your mouth shut. Resist the urge to jump in and explain
everything (although you should answer questions when asked, or if you’re unclear
about what they’re saying). Above all, turn off your emotions, turn on your
smile, and THANK him for the hours he’s spent helping you.
If you get published, a nice touch is to mention him in the
acknowledgments section, gift him a signed copy of the book, or take him to
dinner. Or all three. If his feedback was valuable, you may want to call on him
again.
Then, you evaluate the feedback. It may be a good idea to
get another reader’s opinion before you overhaul your manuscript based on your
first reader’s input. Fix obvious errors, naturally, before printing a fresh
copy for your second reader. But remember that opinions are just that—opinions.
No two readers will agree on everything about your book. However, if two or
three readers point out the same problem, it’s a good sign that you need to do
more work.
I followed this process with DEATH PERCEPTION, my latest supernatural
thriller tinged with horror and peppered with dark humor. My beta readers were Kerri
Knutson and Gary Reichart, whose feedback I appreciate very much. You’ll see
them mentioned on the acknowledgments page with a few treasured others.
DEATH PERCEPTION is available in trade paperback, Kindle
(.mobi) and Nook (.epub) at http://leeallenhoward.com/death-perception/.
BIO
Lee Allen Howard writes horror, dark fantasy, and
supernatural crime. He’s been a professional writer and editor of both fiction
and nonfiction since 1985. His publications include The Sixth Seed, Desperate
Spirits, Night Monsters, “Mama
Said,” “Stray,” and DEATH PERCEPTION, available in various formats at http://leeallenhoward.com.
You can keep in touch with Lee on his Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Allen-Howard-author/117844011639457.
Follow him on Twitter @LeeAllenHoward.