Happy Monday y'all! We are more than half way through July, which is WILD to me. Only eleven days left of the month. Some updates for all of you wonderful people. I FINISHED my first draft of The Winter Heals, which I'm super excited for. Today is actually the first read through to check for flow, pace, plot holes, etc. It's an exciting part of a novel's process.
I've also started making edits for The Fall Changes in preparation for its release next month! :O Crazy town.
But what do I want to talk to you about today? Well, that's betas. First betas are readers who get a polished draft (before it goes to an editor, but still polished by the author) to read and critique. They look for plot holes, flow, pacing, character development, opening scenes, etc. and inform the author of what could be improved, what they LOVED, what they didn't like.
It's one of my favorite and scariest parts of writing a novel. It's fun to get it into the hands of a reader and get feedback, but feedback is scary. We spend HOURS writing this thing and then have to put it out in the world, incomplete, to make it better. It's hard, but so worth it.
Betas help me understand what readers may love about my novel and what needs to be fixed to meet market standards. It's an important process.
Soo we know what they are, but where do you find them? Personally, I have lots of places I look. Here are a few:
Friends I can TRUST. Do I want them to tell me all glowy things? No. I want them to be honest. If it sucks, tell me. Trust is more about them giving you honest, constructive feedback. If it doesn't help you make it better, then why are they reading it?
Websites like fiverr.com offer services that you can hire to do just that. Here's someone I trust: https://www.fiverr.com/rachelbu/beta-read-and-critique-your-fiction-manuscript
Social Media. If you have a following, there is someone who would want to help you. Making connections with people and someone will want to reciprocate. AND you just may find a writer who will beta read which makes it even more beneficial because they have an idea of the craft as well.
Goodreads/FB Groups. Both of these platforms have groups that you can join asking specifically for beta readers (most of them free).
Just remember however you find beta readers it's important to have in mind what questions you want to ask them. If they go in blind, they may not have as helpful feedback for you. You also want to touch base with them to see how it's going. If you have a deadline, make sure they know that. Also, make sure to vet or check them out. Are they qualified? Do they like your genre? Do they like to read? If not, they may not be your best choice. You don't have to take everyone. This is your book baby, just remember that.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Check back on Friday for a double book review about high school drama and scandals!
Always,
Marie
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