HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: If you're writing, do you use a beta reader? If you're reading--how would you like to be one? The fab Linda Lovely is today's expert--and she might just change your life! (And reading her new book from Henery Press might, too!)
By Linda Lovely
If you are lucky enough to have critique partners who red-pencil your manuscript from start to finish, do you really need Beta readers? My answer is a resounding “YES.”
I count on feedback from both groups—my critique partners (fellow authors), and my Beta readers, people who love books, but may never have heard of “deep” POV and may power through a run-on sentence without a shudder. Critiquers and Beta readers notice different things. Here are a few examples.
Critique Partners
I love my critique partners. Once a month, five of us submit five or six double-spaced pages prior to our in-person meeting. At the meeting, which often runs two to three hours, we bring marked-up copies for discussion. Month-to-month the pages we submit may not be sequential. If we’re worried about dialogue, humor, description or action in a certain section, we may share those pages for immediate feedback.
My local critique partners write in a variety of genres, but they’re all talented authors who can spot grammatical errors and accidental point-of-view shifts a mile away. Two are men who can tell me if any man would really use the words I’ve put in my hero’s mouth. The two women in the group excel at describing scenes and characters with exquisite, lean economy. All four have a great sense of humor and know how important it is to let the reader into the point-of-view character’s mind.
This very special group helps me steadily improve my craft and solve specific problems I’ve encountered with scenes. We’re honest, but never unkind. We trust each other. But no one’s feelings are hurt if we pass on someone’s suggestion. We all understand the work is personal and each author must ultimately decide what works.
I also exchange chapters with a couple of out-of-town authors, who write in the same mystery and suspense genres. These folks may pick up on clichés, holes or logic flaws in a plot or subplot, and problems with character motivation or goals. If I’m writing third-person POV, they may even suggest a scene would have more impact if seen through the eyes of another character.
By the time I’ve finished a novel, these dual author sounding boards have read most, if not all, of my manuscript.
Beta Readers
So why do I want Beta readers?
My Beta readers are readers, not authors. They belong to book clubs. They read voraciously in multiple genres. They come from backgrounds different from mine. While I’ve lived in the South for decades, I’m not a Southerner. Two of my Beta readers are.
My Beta readers may not notice point-of-view shifts, passive verbs, or misplaced commas. Their focus is the story and the characters. Does the story grab them? Do they find certain sections drag? Do they like the characters? Are the characters speaking or acting in ways that seem inconsistent?
In short, they are great for the “big picture.” They often pick up on things critique partners may miss, especially if they’ve been reading a manuscript piecemeal with a focus on craft.
#1 Beta Observation: “Based on your heroine’s language and attitudes, she seems more like a thirty-something. She acts older than the twenty-somethings I know. If you made her a bit older, she’d be more believable and it wouldn’t hurt the story a bit.” I upped my heroine’s age. The Beta reader was spot on. She was more believable as a woman in her thirties. The age shift also helped the plot since I was able to give her more life experiences to draw on when confronted with danger or dilemmas.
#2 Beta Observation: “I initially thought all your characters were Southerners. You might find a way to make it clear sooner that some of them are transplants from Iowa.” Right again. Only a few sentences were needed to solve this defect without a lot of backstory creep. I also addressed this reader’s issue with a few of the words and phrases I put in the mouths of Southerners. She told me these idioms were definitely Midwestern.
#3 Beta Observation: “Where are the ever-present cell phones of your younger characters? At the very least they should be mentioned, even if it’s just the veterinarian putting his cell phone on vibrate before sitting down to dinner with his date.” Done. Easy peasy.
Finding Critique Partners and Beta Readers Of course, what matters most is who you choose as your critique partners and Beta readers.
For critique partners, I’d suggest doing a “test drive”—exchanging a few pages or perhaps a few chapters to see if there’s a good fit. In addition to sharing the same attitude toward critiquing, you need to be certain you agree on expectations and workload. An author who feels she only has time to critique a chapter a month is going to feel pressured and resentful if she’s suddenly expected to critique a hundred pages.
My husband is one of my Beta readers. He’s brutally honest and very good at identifying sections that need more oomph.
But, in general, the best Beta readers aren’t family members and/or close friends who may be afraid of hurting your feelings. I find book clubs are an ideal recruiting ground for avid, thoughtful readers.
My final advice? Keep an open mind and listen to what these readers tell you.
Don’t feel obligated to agree or act on every criticism or suggestion. It’s YOUR book. Be true to what you think works. Just know the reason you’re making the decision.
HANK: Femmes? What do you think? Who reads your book before you make the sort-of-final version?
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Over the past five years, hundreds of mystery/thriller writers have met Linda Lovely at check-in for the annual Writers’ Police Academy, which she helps organize. While her new Brie Hooker Mystery series may be “cozy,” she weaves in lots of adrenaline-packed scenes. Hardly a surprise given all the options she’s scoped out at the Writers’ Police Academy. Lovely finds writing pure fiction isn’t a huge stretch given the years she’s spent penning PR and advertising copy. She writes a blend of mystery, thrills, and humor, chuckling as she plots to “disappear” the types of characters who annoy her. Quite satisfying plus there’s no need to pester relatives for bail. She served as president of her local Sisters in Crime chapter for five years and also belongs to International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. She’s the award-winning author of five prior mystery/suspense/thriller novels. To learn more, visit her website: www.lindalovely.com
Yay, Linda! Internet spotty where I am--but grabbed it long enough to say congratulations! (And I don't know where I'd be without my husband as reader-consultant!)
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | January 30, 2018 at 08:26 AM
Linda, you've almost convinced me! I'm such a control freak that the thought of critique partners or beta readers brings me out in a rash but your readers sound utterly delightful.
Posted by: catriona | January 30, 2018 at 08:36 AM
Catriona--Critique partners are just editors with no power. No reason to sweat. Keep what you like, change what makes sense.
Posted by: Linda Lovely | January 30, 2018 at 09:37 AM
Sounds like you've found a great group of both. It's important to pick people who know what works and what doesn't, just as it is important to not take everything they say.
I've been a Beta Reader a couple of times, but I prefer not to do it. Too much pressure on me, and it takes away from my other reading time.
Posted by: Mark | January 30, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Mark, I try to make sure my Beta readers don't feel pressured. Want them to know I value their opinion, but if they don't have the time--to start or complete--I understand. Non-authors who are avid readers but not under deadline are ideal candidates. If they're retired and it's cold outside, all the better!
Posted by: Linda Lovely | January 30, 2018 at 12:19 PM