What to ASK Your BETA READERS (And How To Find Good Betas)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2024
- How do I find my beta readers? When do I let my betas read my book? And what do I ask them AFTER they read my book? These are questions I get a lot sooo I thought it was about time I do a WHOLE VIDEO on this topic. ;)
Today's episode of WritersLife Wednesdays all about BETA READERS: what to ask yourself BEFORE you choose them, HOW to choose beta readers that are the right fit for you + your story, and the questions you should ask them AFTER they read your story to get the most useful feedback...and make your book the BEST it can be.
Comment below and tell me: how do you find YOUR beta readers? Are you related to any of them??
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THE QUESTIONS I ASK MY BETA READERS:
- What did you think of the story as a whole?
- How did the characters develop throughout the story?
- At what point did you feel like “ah, now the story has really begun!”
- Were there any parts you found yourself skimming?
- What was your favorite part of the story and why?
- What was the most suspenseful moment in the book?
- Who was your favorite character and why?
- Were there any moments you wish lasted longer?
- What is the theme/message you took away from the story?
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✨T I M E S T A M P S✨
0:00 Introduction
1:40 How to know if you’re ready for betas
3:45 Questions to ask yourself when choosing your beta readers
7:10 Questions to ask your beta readers
9:09 Subscribe for more writing videos!
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Subscribe for weekly episodes of #WritersLifeWednesdays !!
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I asked my sister to beta read my first book because she was actually an editor. Her "feedback" was so brutal and vicious that I didn't write another word for 25 years. I'll never ask another relative to beta read for me. Now, working on my fifth book, I have learned that other authors make the best beta readers because they understand the writing process, are more capable of staying objective and leaving their personal preferences out of it, and the suggestions they make are tailored to fit YOUR story instead of being a total remake into the story they think you should write just because they'll like it better. Plus, they are less inclined to give vague useless responses. If they like something they can tell you what it was and why they liked it. Conversely, if they think something isn't working in the story, they can articulate that as well and make usable suggestions for correcting the issue. And they'll usually do this all in-line so you can see exactly which part of the story they are referring to. And of course, I reciprocate by beta reading for them as well, which is educational for me, too.
Meanwhile my parents r cushiony and tell me everything i do is awesome without looking at it twice
After beta reading this paragraph, all I would suggest is. . . more paragraphs.
Author beta readers can also give you feedback on the more technical aspects of your writing you wouldn't usually expect from the casual or (even) enthusiastic reader.
Aspects like; pacing, prose, active/passive voice, narration perspective, character development and consistency, and even typical grammar taboos (too many adjectives, prolific use of "suddenly", or any word suffixed with "ly", etc.)
My first attempt at writing a book I gave it to a friend who told me she loved it and thought it was better than the hunger games, and my big sister supposedly read it but just made rude comment about the story being derivative and provided no other feedback. I have no idea if she even read it. That was 2010. I gave up on that book. A masters degree and PhD later I'm finally reworking one of the other projects I was working on back then. I'm ready for beta readers again.
@@greyrock9747 Summary and premise of the novel? Word count/length? If it sounds like my cup of tea you might have a volunteer beta reader.
People you personally know are alpha readers: much like the alpha of a game, you shouldn't take what you see as a good representation of what you are looking for.
My alpha readers are going to be two friends who are authors/readers of the genre, so their feedback should be more relevant. But they never did this before, so they might not be able to give me the proper notes and insights I need to get published.
Beta readers must be objective and experienced in this. Your friends and family, even those who actually understand the genre of your novel, can only help you so much.
I have a sibling as my beta reader, and it’s not going well.
“So, what did you think of this version? Is it better than the last one?”
*shrugs* I don’t know.
Repeat x10
Oof, sounds like you need to find more interested and invested beta readers.
I have a false-positive issue with some of mine, "hey, just penned a new chapter. Interested in reading? Would love to hear your thoughts."
"Really?! Yea, absolutely!"
Send link, never hear from them again. Also a big "Oof". And as a rule, I only ever do one polite follow-up.
if you ever need a beta reader (or critique partner) I would love to help you out!
“Does this person want you to succeed?” This is such an important question. As a part of a large writing group of my genre of writing, I asked the group if anyone would be willing to beta read my manuscript. One of the three writers who put their hand up provided around 90% negative comments on the story. Okay, so I knew I probably had another round of edits to go through, but reading the constant flow of negativity began to make me feel as though this story ought to be put aside or even buried. Fortunately, two other writers came back with balanced feedback with some constructive and much positive. My point is you need to be careful choosing other writers as beta readers, because as nasty as it sounds some writers do not want competition. They will want you to fail, so will only be looking for faults. But if you do find writers of your genre that you trust and respect, they are like gold dust. Feedback should be balanced, which is why I also love your list of questions to be answered.
Thanks for another great lesson.
This is a case for author anonymity. Constructive and objective feedback is more important than beta readers with a horse in the race or stake in the outcome.
Even those who want you to succeed may aspire to do so for their own benefit. It's not a bad thing, we help each other succeed.
Sometimes you do need the kind of feedback that is not influenced or subject to bias or amity. That'll be challenging if alpha/beta readers know who you are.
Absent author anonymity, honesty should be the next best thing. If the feedback is brutal but honest in a benevolent way, then it's the kind of rubbing that shouldn't be taken the wrong way otherwise your work will never be polished.
It's both intimidating and glorious to listen to someone so young who is already so bright and eloquent. Thanks for that! (I'm 67, BTW.) My beta readers are those close to me, but who aren't intimidated by being brutally honest. The only way to get meaningful feedback, yes? They've already reshaped my novel in major ways.
Daym!
you have already sung your song!
publish before the authorities commit you!
I love that she agrees that parents CAN be beta readers because my mom is AWESOME!
My wife Beta reads and helps me edit. She's super helpful because she's seen the process and knows a lot from me bouncing ideas off her during outlining. It's awesome to have someone in your corner
Abbie, I just discovered your channel a few days ago at the advice of a friend when she heard I was in the process of writing my first novel! Your advice is killer and videos are super entertaining to watch because not only are you super knowledgable on the subject, you also don’t take yourself too seriously and it’s GREAT! The 3-act story structure outline has been helping me so much and I’m so glad that I found your channel at this time in my writing journey. Keep being wonderful! 💕
In my opinion, the three act structure is the only way to go. Also, if you outline a story before you start, you will never have writer's block.
Abbie, have you ever thought about making writing vlogs? I love your videos and I would love to see you in the process of writing!
I agree
I'd like to see that too!
Renata Varela Escreve I would love to see writing vlogs too!
Yes! That would be awesome!!!
I agree! That would be so cool!
I've just recently started to send my book to beta readers, and oh my God! It made total difference. It has been an amazing experience!
I don’t have the money to afford supplies much less be able to support you on Patrion, hopefully that will change soon though.
"Did I tell the story I wanted to tell, with the theme that's important to me?" I believe that is a very powerful question. I will always keep it in mind.
8:25 - That set of questions is so useful! I'll definitely steal them as per your request :3
I like the format of fanfiction writing. All the reviews after each chapter are FANTASTIC feedback.
Is there a site or way of recreating a similar dynamic when writing an original story?
Wattpad is good for that because you can leave comments on exact sentences, lines, and paragraphs for feedback.
I'm covered with the Beta readers but would love to know more about getting ARC reviewers and net galley...Thanks Abbie!
Abbie, you are my saviour- on my old book, I had my sibling, who isn’t interested in books and (tbh It was the worst book ever but still) I asked Her ‘was it good?’ And she just shrugged “idk” so now after watching over 2 hours of your videos I’m ready to start again. Also, after this one, I already have 2 beta readers in mind!!
Great video and very helpful. The problem I’ve had with Beta readers is actually getting them to read it. I’ve identified people who I think tick all the boxes, they are keen and happy to do it and…several months later they haven’t read a single page yet. I’ve literally wasted multiple months in the editing process of my current book waiting for my Beta readers to actually read the book. In the end I had to dump them and am currently trying to find some new ones 😢
Like always, I so value you insight and advice on writing. But! This week's episode Writing Life Wed is perfect timing as I am just now choosing my beta readers.
Thank you for the questions! Perfect:)
This is great! Very helpful!
Great advice, Abbie! Yes, I'm related to two of my beta readers. … Yes, they're the only people in my entire family that fit the bill and one of them is a bit of a cheat on one of the qualifying questions. The others are from my readers - just a few more eyes as I reach the finish line. Much like your librarian friend. Thanks for the great questions! Keep rockin' it!
Thanks for the great content!! Took notes and will use this when I look for my beta readers! Keep up the great work!
Thank you sooo much! I just finished my first full book and I am really wanting to be published.... I thought getting beta readers would be harder but I'm actually working it already!!! Plus I thought I could do my own first set of editing while the beta readers did their thing! So it seems I'm on the right path! And I'm writing an article, I guess, on the process of how I learned how to get published and I'm going to use you as my instructor for beta readers .... not publishing that (yet) and I will get permissions and such if I do!!!! YOU ARE AWESOMENESS!!!!!!
So happy I found your channel Abbie. Too early in my writing process to be considering beta readers but sadly I don't think I have any candidates in my circle as of yet that would be a good fit for these criteria. Mostly because they are either non-English speaker or they are too busy with their own hobbies. Reading a book takes a lot of time and persistence. Even if I manage to find one, cant help but consider theres a chance that my book would've ended up in their DNF pile if they had picked it up themselves in a bookstore but because theyre my beta reader, they have to grill themselves through it for my sake. Takes a lot of love and selflessness. Appreciate all the angels out their helping fellow writers beta read!!
Still looking? I might be persuaded to read if it piques my interest.
This was super helpful!!! Thank you!!!
This is was so useful
Another amazing video!! This was so helpful for me as I have alpha readers reading my book right now and wasn't sure what I should ask them :D
This is SO helpful thank you!!!
I loved this video. It was very informative. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this! 😄
it was a total accident that I discovered your instagram page. And i am so glad that I did, because your videos have helped me to finally restart the novel i was working on
This was extremely helpful, and now I know who I should use. I was worried about having to get, like, a social media souley to get Beta Readers, but after this video, I feel a lot more confident about my dream and feel like this whole thing is really possible.
Thank you so, so much.
This is perfection! I have an amazing beta reader helping me out right now. (shoutout to Faith.
@@faith4745 AAAHH MY BESTIE!!!! LOVE YOU TOO!!!! 😘
Great video. Love the list for beta readers and will use it for my team. I found one of the questions in that list to be "passive voice", and because I have a dreadful phobia about such things-lol-I just had to rework it.
Amazing video! So glad I found this. I am looking for betas for my biography.
I love Abbie's shirt!
I love this. I just recorded a video about how to find readers too! I follow you as a writer and creative consultant because you are always so helpful and positive. I also share your channel and FB posts all the time. :) Finding good beta readers is so important.
My grandmother and I bond over finding proofreading mistakes and sharing them with each other and my friend and I have been reading buddies since we were kids, so those are my people.
You are awesome-sauce!!!!!! Ty so much for this video. When you gave the last important question, it hit me. I would love for family to be beta readers, but I am dealing with haters currently lol.
You are amazing!!!!!!! Not related but I also loved your makeup! XD thank you for the tips!
Thanks, Abbie! Great tips - I hadn't thought about asking such specific questions. I haven't finished my first draft yet (first novel), but I have three beta readers who are reading it as I go.
I have one that I am reading out loud to (I can highly recommend this!!), one who is reading it for the interest in the story, and one who is reading it more objectively and has been giving great critical feedback about the actual writing itself.
It's been such a fun (yet very challenging) experience so far. I can't wait to finish my first draft, then edit and refine. Your videos have helped me immensely!
Alissa :)
Sounds like you've found yourself a good spread there.
Any tips to share that would help others find good beta readers too?
@@undefinedvariable8085 For me it’s one person to read it for the storyline, one look at it critically for language, sentence structure, etc, and one who has some knowledge on the topic for accuracy. It can be hard to be objective when reading for enjoyment as well as analysing. We need both.
Yes so far my beta readers are my family members Lol . I read my story out loud to my husband , and I have my aunt , cousin, brother and mom reading on their own as I go. They have only given me positive feedback so I may need to widen my net lol... BUT I am proud of this book, and don’t think they are lying but I do want an outside reader too. I loved in the Little Women movie adaptation when Jo received negative feedback on her book from her friend in NY (I believe) . And she told him she never liked him anyway 😆😆😆 I could relate lol but no not really we need critical but constructive feedback too! My aunt is a literary major and a writer herself so I know she will give me some constructive advice once she is done 📚 📖 💗 thanks Abby !! You’re awesome. I love love your videos
Hi Abbie. Would it be possible to do another scene card video? You did a great example in one of your videos but would be really helpful if you could do another video with more examples! Love writers Wednesday!
I haven't had much joy with finding proper beta readers. My family don't read my type of books so I can't ask them. I also got advice that the beta readers should read the first draft of my book, but this was a waste of time because they came back with stuff I must change which I had already started changing while working through my first draft. I think you are right, they should only get it just before your professional edit. I've asked for beta's on Facebook beta groups, but no success...feeling a little despondent.
I'm not sure if I've posted this on another one of your videos or podcasts, but once upon a time, I wanted to be a proofreader (not sure if it's the same as a beta reader). But 0:42 to 0:55 is exactly the reason why I'm not cut out for it 😂😬
A side note... I'm really loving your book 🥰 I think I'm at the game changing midpoint 🤔 My kindle app says I'm 33% of the way through
Basically no one in my circle can be a beta reader for me
My best beta readers are actually 2 colleagues from my old workplace ☺😊❤ they always give me honest feedback - one is a maaaajor horror fan (which is perfect, since I write horror) and she's also one hell of a spell checker ☺ the other is a widely read bibliophile, who I only recently found out gets scared easily 😅😢 but he always reads my work anyway and gives good objective feedback.
I feel very lucky to have people like this after watching this video ☺❤
Would you consider doing a video on finding sensitivity readers? 😶
This was helpful! I keep rearranging stuff and making edits but I think it's time to hand it over to someone else.
you should make a discord server about this writing community where people can ask questions to each other. I could be great
Does you mom want to be my beta reader?? 😂 great video,thank you!
Can you do a video on how to find an editor?
I actually used to listen to you and started to listen again. Love you and your content. You used to talk about a book that I was supposed to buy on writing. Please pretty please 🙏what was it.
Thank you!
My co worker who has published several books and went to school for writing is doing the beta read. My brother in law and best friend will likely do the arc reading. All of them would love to see me succeed and have helped me before
Honesty Is The Policy
I plan on: write, edit, beta, review comments, edit, beta, review - repeat. I think doing it thrice is wise.
@Camille Hubert Sure. I'm not 100% ready yet. But that sounds fine.
Thanks 🌎
Great video! However, other than asking family or friends, where do we actually get trustworthy beta readers? Are there beta reader resources out there?
Very interesting 🌎
Listen To It Now.
My question is how do you get beta readers when no one from my family likes to read and I don’t have any friends (only one who is super busy and doesn’t even care)….:(. I don’t know what to do.
@@racyrowdyrocket thank you!!:)
"Do they understand the mission of your story?"
Given the antinatalist themes of my stories, I guess that's my family out as early as question number 2. 😁 If they understood the theme, I wouldn't be here.
Interesting. I thot you could go to Beta readers to help you do more like figure out things like best intro (I came up with 3). I know I can do it as I wish…and thot you would want more to get a bit wider range
first I love your personality.
I don't have a beta reader, save one person who said she would, but broke off contact with me (hand in the air, smh) I did print a copy of my manuscript and gave it to one of the students to read. he says he loves it, even though he says he doesn't read chapter books. (he's in the sixth grade, my target audience. so that's nice but not helpful) I feel defeated in this journey.
I ask my sister to read what I write because she is the only one I'm willing to show my work to before I publish it online, but, unfortunately, she isn't into the genre that I write so she gets bored most of the time, which also means that I can't get the feedback that I want from her😢. What she does is search for spelling mistakes and let me know if a scene looks odd in the place it is. This is super helpful, but it's not enough....😥
How do you feel about workshopping you’re story as it is in progress of being written?
Can work well with the right group of people and collaboration tools.
My cousins are my beta readers!
I don't really have friends, so I'm not sure how to find a beta reader. My mother has always been overly critical of me to a point that she wrote about how disappointed she is with me in her own memoir.
And if you don't have anyone to ask to read? Or have money for an editor? Does that mean you should throw all your unpublished books?
What if i don't know anybody who could be my beta reader? How do I find someone from the internet or somewhere else to be my beta reader?
I am curious - since the Protagonist in 100 Days of Sunlight has her vision impaired and the male protagonist has a prosthetic leg - did you consider approaching BETA Readers that had the same conditions or similar?
Very good tips... but you didn’t actually answer the question. Is there a place I can find beta-readers online? My family doesn’t qualify so I need to find someone online.
You could do it right here. Give me a brief synopsis (doesn't have to be the query letter). If I'm interested I'll be your beta reader.
On another note, finding strangers on the internet (I'm aware of the irony) you can trust is not a guarantee.
I'm not referring to the "trust" you would expect for constructive and objective feedback, I'm talking about the inherent trust you give another stranger when you share your intellectual property. Some of these strangers may be authors themselves who would not pass up on "burrowing" a great idea/theme/conflict/plot.
If you are aware of any trusted and authoritative sites or online communities you may have come across in your searches, share them here with us here.
As an aside, I do think a site that allows authors to rate alpha and beta readers on utility and trust would be great. And if you could enter into a legally binding NDA signed with a smart contract online that would leverage more faith and confidence in the process (although what jurisdiction this NDA would have a copyright lawyer would know).
Wattpad?
Ive been working on a sci fi/fantasy novel for about two years and a year into working on it I showed it to a handful of people to get some feedback. My proofreaders have had a copy of it for months now and the only person I’ve heard back from is my best friend. I understand people are busy but it’s been so long that I have been embarrassed about it thinking that people don’t think it’s any good. Im thinking about scrapping it and moving on to another project but I honestly don’t want to give up on this story. What do writers normally do when they can’t seem to get any feedback?
Go to a paid beta reader, they are obligated to provide honest and constructive feedback on a deadline. Some will do in-comment on text and final report for as little as $20-35.
I would say: Keep writing and don’t give up. As Townes Van Zandt (great songwriter) said: “If you want good friends, it’s gonna cost you.” People are terrifically self-focused. Never take their failure to escape that as a comment on the value of your work.
I only ask my beta readers when they were confused and when they got bored.
I have a select group of beta readers, but I need a professional. Where can I go to find someone?
Do you have ideas for questions to ask beta readers regarding the world building in your book (like for a fantasy)?
Boy, finding beta readers is HARD when no one reads books in the house 😅. Everyone be on their devices all day... Sometimes I'm not sure if giving into my writer/nerdier self was a good idea 💀
It's sad I don't have anyone in my family that's interested in reading hahaha... In other words, they can't become my beta readers because they also can't give me proper critiques... Now I'm really having trouble finding a different beta reader
Still looking? I might be persuaded to read if it piques my interest.
Same here😓😓
Do you ask these questions at the end of each chapter? Or at the end of the entire book?
You can ask your beta readers questions at the end of each chapter.
If these are relevant to the chapter and you'd like to solicit the kind of feedback that confirms your goals for the chapter were achieved, i.e. did a new introduction of the character leave your reader with the information and impressions that'll be important moving forward? Did you successfully weave your worldbuilding in a manner that was not contrived or expository, was it too overwhelming or digestible?
These kinds of questions can give you more nuanced feedback and will help you determine if you are steering the ship in the right direction before you realise it's too late to avoid the breakwater.
There have been many times I've realised that I need to embellish more here, tone back there, or clarify on various parts that I've overlooked or taken for granted that the reader was on the same wavelength.
The feedback you get at the end of the book is more general.
Of course, it also depends on the type reader you're dealing with. We all enjoy reading in different ways. For some, this kind of post-chapter assessment detracts from their experience (or the intended flow or pacing of your novel) and can actually negatively impact the experience as a whole.
Maybe what you're really looking for here are "alpha" readers.
@@undefinedvariable8085 thank you for such an indepth amazing respnose!
@@CharlieeWriter Still looking for alpha or beta readers?
@@undefinedvariable8085 yes!
My mom’s on this list. But no way am I ever letting my husband beta read again. He is not the target audience. Haha can’t really think of anyone else though 🤔
👍🏾
Can someone recommend a Facebook Beta Reader group.
I would sooo wanna be a beta reader for someone, I just don’t know how to go about being one. I feel like it would be weird to ask someone to be their beta reader. :/
That's cool. What sort of genres do you like?
I wouldn't mind knowing someone that could beta read for me. What genres do you not mind reading?
@@miniimnida8294 Im generally more of a fiction person. I'm a big fantasy fan, but I'm not exclusively a fantasy reader, and I branch out more often than not. I feel comfortable reading from YA to new adult and beyond.
@@felineartsy I like fantasy, but I'm not exclusively a fantasy reader, and I branch out more often than not. I regularly read from YA to new adult and beyond.
@@mk-do9eo I write YA romance usually, if you don't mind that then I will gladly share some books when I finish them 😊
What to ask yourself before you try to find beta readers? My answer: “Do you believe in Bigfoot?”
In my experience, one is more likely to encounter Bigfoot in a neighborhood park than an actual, according-to-Hoyle beta reader. Never met one, despite much laborious searching. And no, somebody saying “it was nice,” doesn’t count.
To paraphrase Hendrix: That’s alright, I still got my pen . . . er, keyboard.
could u be my bete reader
Arnt you concerned with beta readers stealing your ideas?
I'm still trying to figure out how to smash the like button. With a hammer?
Such a stupid thing to say...