tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post6013892831976568069..comments2024-03-28T04:07:58.140-07:00Comments on Fiction and Film: Beta ReadingKate Larkindalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-71288365129924468612012-03-20T10:51:53.963-07:002012-03-20T10:51:53.963-07:00I'd want to know everything--good and bad. You...I'd want to know everything--good and bad. You have to be able to take the hard critique. It's the only way to make the story better. I'd rather have a friend point the issues out to me before I start querying, instead of having an agent point them out in a rejection letter. It sounds like you're a great beta reader!Ghenet Myrthilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12621168379560585094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-72501397875233776572012-03-20T07:17:56.154-07:002012-03-20T07:17:56.154-07:00I honestly haven't ever met anyone who didn...I honestly haven't ever met anyone who didn't want to know everything. I don't hold back when I critique and I expect my betas to do the same :)Juliana L. Brandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903360100714298208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-46232426184029404062012-03-19T13:43:59.510-07:002012-03-19T13:43:59.510-07:00I try to point out everything - the good and the b...I try to point out everything - the good and the bad, what works and what doesn't. Some writers can't handle the truth but I think it's best to give the truth. If they can't handle hearing it from another writer who is trying to help them, they won't be able to hear it from an editor or an agent.Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-24418895743841455382012-03-18T22:50:24.640-07:002012-03-18T22:50:24.640-07:00That's what I think too. It actually amazes m...That's what I think too. It actually amazes me that someone would hand over a MS to a reader before making sure all the spelling errors, typos and funky grammar have been fixed up.<br /><br />But I guess for some people, making sure the story flows and makes sense is more important than the mechanics. Unfortunately, I find it difficult to focus on bigger picture issues when the mechanics are sloppy...Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-32015407263369469972012-03-18T13:19:56.446-07:002012-03-18T13:19:56.446-07:00In my opinion, even if you are a beta reader, you ...In my opinion, even if you are a beta reader, you should point out everything you find that is an error. If an author feels their story is ready for beta reads, then (an this is my opinion again) I would assume the story should be free of comma errors and major plot issues. So if you find them, I feel you should tell the author. I would want to know.<br />That said, certainly be constructive, use the oreo-cookie approach (i.e. what you like followed by what needs work followed by some more positive stuff).Shell Flowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127004188099765270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-42864546015057643052012-03-18T10:55:24.212-07:002012-03-18T10:55:24.212-07:00Definitely! Just focusing on the bad parts is not...Definitely! Just focusing on the bad parts is not helpful at all and might make a writer decide to ditch her book all together. I always try to start with the things I like before moving on to the parts that don't.Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-44860333820391009602012-03-18T04:35:08.570-07:002012-03-18T04:35:08.570-07:00I meant to add (after I posted this I thought some...I meant to add (after I posted this I thought some more), I definitely think it's critical in either case to be honest about the story. But not just on the brutal side. If the story isn't working, I do want to know. I'd rather hear it from readers than find out later down the line.<br /><br />But I also think it's key to say what does work about the story. If it's all bad and none of it is working, that's important, but if it has good points and all the writer hears are that it has bad parts, I think that's just as counter-productive as saying "this is awesome, I love it all".<br /><br />(Now I'm done, really. Maybe ;-)Loralie Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134452749240292803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-18164447388258431152012-03-17T19:38:27.378-07:002012-03-17T19:38:27.378-07:00I agree with Laura. To me they're two differen...I agree with Laura. To me they're two different things. For a critique, I want in-depth and even the opportunity to ask for a re-read. For a beta read, I really only expect an overall kind of perspective. Things like where the plot and pacing and characters were unclear, but not so much grammar and spelling and little details.Loralie Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134452749240292803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363187649278189370.post-2280882784139837872012-03-17T19:28:42.110-07:002012-03-17T19:28:42.110-07:00I usually ask if the writer wants me to be a beta ...I usually ask if the writer wants me to be a beta reader or a critique partner. If I am going to critique, I do everything you mentioned above. If they just want me to be a beta, I tend to just read and give overall comments at the end about plot, pacing, characters, etc. Those are just my definitions, but that's what I go with.Laura Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237841462234396752noreply@blogger.com