tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post2297653870378971443..comments2024-02-16T02:32:13.736-08:00Comments on Write About Now: The Beauty of the Beta, Part 1Sherrie Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-11429379169567148102012-01-28T08:59:33.185-08:002012-01-28T08:59:33.185-08:00Great post!!!
I love my critique groups. I belong...Great post!!!<br /><br />I love my critique groups. I belong to two of them...I have been looking for a beta reader just to get a fresh perspective. It's difficult to find someone who has enough insight/knowledge to know what to look for and how to critique.Henyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14218132405687448085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-80791478864449933652011-01-04T17:28:53.925-08:002011-01-04T17:28:53.925-08:00Mmm, excellent post! I LOVE my beta readers. I sur...Mmm, excellent post! I LOVE my beta readers. I sure hope one day I get to beta something for you and return the huge favors you've given me!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-8280310275226332712011-01-03T22:01:53.153-08:002011-01-03T22:01:53.153-08:00Beta readers changed my writing life this past yea...Beta readers changed my writing life this past year. I am so thankful I found some that offer constructive, honest, and valuable feedback.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-50722153673306131522011-01-03T17:39:48.153-08:002011-01-03T17:39:48.153-08:00Spot on post - and you are an excellent beta reade...Spot on post - and you are an <i>excellent</i> beta reader, so I'm curious to see Part 2! :)<br /><br />I have four different betas for my current draft, and it's fascinating to me that they (so far) have very different feedback. This reinforces the idea that it's subjective, but also brings into play the different skills different betas bring to a read (and why, I think, houses have <i>several</i> editors look over an MS, even if there is one main editor).Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-33594260919069070842011-01-03T17:19:56.657-08:002011-01-03T17:19:56.657-08:00Enjoying this topic. Can't wait to read more.Enjoying this topic. Can't wait to read more.Jean Ann Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357746520145826414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-90877123468039700282011-01-03T16:20:05.021-08:002011-01-03T16:20:05.021-08:00I don't have crit group anymore, but I have so...I don't have crit group anymore, but I have some amazing writing friends who crit/beta read my novels. I've been lucky. Most of them are blog followers who volunteered to read my book without me having to ask. :DStinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-12470568370136634012011-01-03T12:59:20.611-08:002011-01-03T12:59:20.611-08:00I love my betas, even though what they tell me oft...I love my betas, even though what they tell me often hurts at first. It's all good. I dish it out as good as I get it too!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-71901330087832147332011-01-03T11:27:20.536-08:002011-01-03T11:27:20.536-08:00awesome advice. Beta readers are essential!! Also ...awesome advice. Beta readers are essential!! Also agree that anyone who asks needs to be ready to reciprocate as well. Great post!Colene Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086195075690893194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-63102700347076540692011-01-03T11:16:18.541-08:002011-01-03T11:16:18.541-08:00I've never heard the term "beta reader&qu...I've never heard the term "beta reader" I'm in a critique group but having an fresh set of eyes is always a good thing. I'll have to look into this concept more.C.R. Evershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034891037873664976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-40761076471708239422011-01-03T10:48:09.789-08:002011-01-03T10:48:09.789-08:00How lucky for you to have read such great ms! That...How lucky for you to have read such great ms! That is wonderful you do that for others. And this is a great explanation of the differences of crit vs beta.TerryLynnJohnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08380207155608982319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-17726768618282034162011-01-03T09:54:49.682-08:002011-01-03T09:54:49.682-08:00What a great post! I just formed a critique group ...What a great post! I just formed a critique group myself with some people from my writing class, but it's great to know I'll need three (and probably four) rounds of critiquing after this. You're spot on, as usual. Thanks!JEMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04043891292719086478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-64512577864598844872011-01-03T09:53:08.217-08:002011-01-03T09:53:08.217-08:00Thanks for posting this. I'm a member of two W...Thanks for posting this. I'm a member of two Writers' Circles but I get the most useful feedback from my Beta readers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459671422564355990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-5635380448397699222011-01-03T08:39:14.113-08:002011-01-03T08:39:14.113-08:00We are so lucky to be writers in this era of blogg...We are so lucky to be writers in this era of blogging. I've met so many people who would be great beta readers, and I've been honored to read for others who asked. The writing world is world-wide, and it's amazing. Thanks for this post. It's a beauty!Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-44011844494571472582011-01-03T07:43:39.580-08:002011-01-03T07:43:39.580-08:00Great post! I have a fantastic crit partner, but I...Great post! I have a fantastic crit partner, but I'm still looking for that elusive beta reader. I'm sure I'll find one someday, and you're totally right - even if you're not exactly enthusiastic about their response, there's always something good you can get out of a critique.<br /><br />Oh! And just so you know - you won one of the book packages over on my blog! Send me your contact info so I can get it out to you!Jamie Greyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07504892632149036762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-24188627589531449112011-01-03T07:03:58.145-08:002011-01-03T07:03:58.145-08:00Great post. I was a little unsure about the differ...Great post. I was a little unsure about the difference between critique groups and beta readers, but this cleared it up.Melissa Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02700191547004665402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-81150294740765565522011-01-03T06:38:26.374-08:002011-01-03T06:38:26.374-08:00Do relatives and friends count as Beta readers, or...Do relatives and friends count as Beta readers, or do they have to have some expertise in writing?Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399082789777816445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-91035838781732273682011-01-03T06:36:01.306-08:002011-01-03T06:36:01.306-08:00I didn't know what they were either until this...I didn't know what they were either until this year...Someday I'll be on the hunt. Thanks for sharing.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-31845073187749724322011-01-03T06:01:52.286-08:002011-01-03T06:01:52.286-08:00I did wonder what the difference between a critiqu...I did wonder what the difference between a critique group and a beta reader was.... And it totally makes sense! I do have both too! Just didn't realize it!Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-2654337434297309782011-01-03T05:31:28.829-08:002011-01-03T05:31:28.829-08:00I love beta reading. You're right, I've r...I love beta reading. You're right, I've read quite a few books this last year I would have paid money for and feel privileged and honoured I was chosen to read them.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-59745007777603222112011-01-03T05:07:32.460-08:002011-01-03T05:07:32.460-08:00I agree. It is important to go outside out crit gr...I agree. It is important to go outside out crit group to find betas. Sometimes our cps are too close to be objective.Laura Paulinghttp://www.laurapauling.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-3349968206471791082011-01-03T04:45:53.145-08:002011-01-03T04:45:53.145-08:00I agree with reciprocating. That's important. ...I agree with reciprocating. That's important. I also think it's imperative to remember that ALL beta reading and reading in general are subjective. A suggestion might be great to enhance your masterpiece, but then again, it might be better for someone else's. Following your gut is so important. <br /><br />Best to you during 2011!!S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011133488035315179.post-58715517407970097942011-01-03T04:36:07.334-08:002011-01-03T04:36:07.334-08:00Great post. I definitely agree that beta readers a...Great post. I definitely agree that beta readers are invaluable. It's great to hear back from them about what's going right or wrong with a story. <br /><br />The fresh eyes is an extremely important part of it since as the writer you would be too close to the story that all the little errors and confusions with plot and characters will be missed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01677563505368503476noreply@blogger.com