tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post2897208789464679736..comments2024-03-16T07:27:27.752+00:00Comments on Novel Points of View: Why we need beta readers by Jennifer YoungRae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-89941896175316419462016-01-27T13:52:43.465+00:002016-01-27T13:52:43.465+00:00I think I would be lost without you all. And unpub...I think I would be lost without you all. And unpublished, come to that!Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-59363063993895125372016-01-27T10:42:57.453+00:002016-01-27T10:42:57.453+00:00I'd cry without my beta readers too Jennifer! ...I'd cry without my beta readers too Jennifer! And I do find that the views of those who have come to know my writing, and the kinds of problems I perpetually face, are invaluable. As you say, one may not always agree, but at the very least their view challenge you to fight your corner and see things from another standpoint. Glad it works for me, anyway ...Jenny Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721428313351462045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-24646431554305831242016-01-26T16:06:54.623+00:002016-01-26T16:06:54.623+00:00I must admit to being in awe of all you brave peop...I must admit to being in awe of all you brave people! I just don't trust my judgement enough...Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-74694242089739054832016-01-26T16:05:02.426+00:002016-01-26T16:05:02.426+00:00That's a good point. I do admire your confiden...That's a good point. I do admire your confidence, though. I would be too scared to send something off without someone assuring me it was good enough!Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-69243972974502321242016-01-25T10:10:03.669+00:002016-01-25T10:10:03.669+00:00Really interesting post, Jennifer, as are the comm...Really interesting post, Jennifer, as are the comments! I know lots of writers use beta readers but I never have so far. The most I've done is let daughter (also a writer) have a look at a few chapters or a short story if I'm unsure of it. Otherwise, I prefer to send it off to the publisher or editor to have first look. If I were to self-publish new books, however, I think it would be a different matter and I'd value and need feedback then!Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-50494154669123051402016-01-25T10:05:36.306+00:002016-01-25T10:05:36.306+00:00I don't think it's impressive, it's ju...I don't think it's impressive, it's just the way I've always worked. As writing has been my career for over 33 years - got that wrong in my introduction, daughter is 33 not 32 - it's habit! Also, interesting to note, that some older "how to" books recommended NOT allowing anyone else to read your work. How times change, eh? Partly because we can exchange work by email so easily, now.Lesley Cookmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699182779296799170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-75008345067088532602016-01-24T15:18:00.193+00:002016-01-24T15:18:00.193+00:00They certainly do hurt, a lot of the time. :( But ...They certainly do hurt, a lot of the time. :( But for me, they're worth it in the end!Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-79814648253851362522016-01-24T15:17:09.353+00:002016-01-24T15:17:09.353+00:00Perhaps I'm over-dependent, or insecure! It...Perhaps I'm over-dependent, or insecure! It's fascinating to find different views on this. but if I were parted from my beta readers I would cry. And be very lonely, because they're good company ;)Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-29013715652393339962016-01-24T15:15:54.668+00:002016-01-24T15:15:54.668+00:00I'm actually really impressed that you don'...I'm actually really impressed that you don't need one, Lesley! I had no idea that 'beta reader' was an American term, by the way. Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-13561675582461467712016-01-24T14:08:34.528+00:002016-01-24T14:08:34.528+00:00I meant to write 'although' of course. Sho...I meant to write 'although' of course. Should probably get someone to beta-read my posts ...Gill Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139563775181908912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-90914374002201190842016-01-24T14:07:34.976+00:002016-01-24T14:07:34.976+00:00It's fine to have an opinion Lesley! If beta r...It's fine to have an opinion Lesley! If beta readers (or whatever you want to call them!) don't work for you, they don't. Be awful if we were all alike.Gill Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139563775181908912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-26021849747553425462016-01-24T14:05:30.623+00:002016-01-24T14:05:30.623+00:00Completely agree Jennifer! And all though sometime...Completely agree Jennifer! And all though sometimes (ouch!) those comments really hurt, they also really help.Gill Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139563775181908912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-75885100095162207582016-01-24T13:49:13.828+00:002016-01-24T13:49:13.828+00:00Crikey, I found this one interesting. I have never...Crikey, I found this one interesting. I have never, ever, asked anyone to read my work-in-progress and comment. And I am never likely to at this stage of my writing career. Too scared, probably! Or maybe I don't take criticism well? I do read out at the writing group I go to but, like the rest of us there, we are all pretty sure where our work is going and we pay lip service to any comments, unless it is something technical we need to know.Linda Mitchelmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10948518126405880012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-476582714084408092016-01-24T11:19:49.038+00:002016-01-24T11:19:49.038+00:00I'm already failing as a member of this blog! ...I'm already failing as a member of this blog! Can't re-post, RT or recommend, Jennifer, as my views on "beta-readers" are well known! I have a rooted objection to the term, for a start, as well as "deep third" and other Americanisms that have crept over here, and secondly, NO ONE ever reads my stuff until it goes to my editor. (and now, my agent, who, bless her, doesn't have much say!) Abjectly sorry...Lesley Cookmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699182779296799170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-82714069869073497622016-01-23T17:10:23.655+00:002016-01-23T17:10:23.655+00:00I'd thoroughly recommend it. It's always b...I'd thoroughly recommend it. It's always been worthwhile for me. Even if you don't like what they say - and let's face it, they aren't necessarily right and sometimes they disagree - I find it helps to make you think about a problem. Sometimes as writers we struggle to see the wood for the trees, I think.Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-37989348924322860592016-01-23T17:07:02.650+00:002016-01-23T17:07:02.650+00:00Interesting blog Jennifer. I've been thinking ...Interesting blog Jennifer. I've been thinking recently that I could do with a beta reader. Must put some feelers out and see if anyone is also looking and maybe get together. Jennifer Bohnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08810459802006672088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-11673395995247283452016-01-23T16:46:09.125+00:002016-01-23T16:46:09.125+00:00I have, indeed. And actually I've also discove...I have, indeed. And actually I've also discovered that I really enjoy beta reading myself. So it's win-win. You get and you give.Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-9409808701980665122016-01-23T16:41:01.320+00:002016-01-23T16:41:01.320+00:00So true, Jennifer. I think it's one of the rea...So true, Jennifer. I think it's one of the reasons the Romantic Novelists' Association New Writers' Scheme (for unpublished writers) is so popular - those extra pairs of eyes are invaluable. Also, it sounds as if you've made great friends along the way. :-)Rae Cowiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.com