tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post301905006070401164..comments2024-03-29T08:58:04.483-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Time for Beta ReadersJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-29512859592054295612021-04-20T11:19:57.349-04:002021-04-20T11:19:57.349-04:00Having beta readers is helpful, but having the rig...Having beta readers is helpful, but having the right beta readers is crucial. I've had beta readers who wrote back to say they enjoyed it, thank you very much. That didn't help much. Grace Toppinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10291304815273486038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-5020047478000056012021-04-18T14:45:18.614-04:002021-04-18T14:45:18.614-04:00Since readers are an important part of the equatio...Since readers are an important part of the equation, this sounds like a really good option. I do have a few trusted readers, but more inout is always welome.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-52067428702670449362021-04-18T10:58:21.789-04:002021-04-18T10:58:21.789-04:00I'm glad you've found this service, Tammy....I'm glad you've found this service, Tammy. Marilyn Levinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01417078520535685980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-26583145391287931212021-04-18T08:26:45.152-04:002021-04-18T08:26:45.152-04:00good luck! I'm glad you found beta readers.good luck! I'm glad you found beta readers.Margaret S. Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07810307017440257313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-86479718686163784472021-04-18T07:46:08.366-04:002021-04-18T07:46:08.366-04:00I've never tried paid beta readers. I've h...I've never tried paid beta readers. I've had good luck with asking fans for feedback. It's a bit hit or miss, and the feedback is not as detailed as you receive. Some of the readers end up saying things like, "I fell into the story and forgot to take notes." While I could be flattered, I instead eliminate them from future beta read asks.<br /><br />Beta readers often don't know <i>what</i> is wrong, but they can put their finger on <i>something</i> being wrong about a character's actions, or an inconsistency, or a slow section, or whether they liked the ending or not. I always ask them to tell me every place they stopped reading--clues to an otherwise undiagnosed sagging middle.<br /><br />Good luck with your second novel, and I hope you receive lots of useful comments.Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com