Beta Readers are Your Friends
Last week, I posted about the importance of finding a critique group. This week I want to discuss a related item–getting beta readers for your work.
A beta reader improves your writing in many ways:
- They can tell you “what’s working” and “what needs improvement”
- They catch spelling and grammar mistakes
- They can catch plot holes and logical inconsistencies that you’re “invisible” to
- They may catch inadvertent racism, sexism, ableism, etc.
If you’re a new writer, you’ll find that there is always a slight disconnect between what you think you’ve written or intend, and what readers will glean.
In the Eye of the Beholder
You may write what you think is the perfect fight scene. Perhaps you love fight scenes in books, and have read hundreds.
Once you give that scene to beta readers, you may find it’s not so perfect after all. One reader may tell you it sounds clichéd. Another may have weapons experience, and tell you that there’s no way your protagonist would have that kind of firearm on them. Another may note that the human body could not do the moves you described.
It is important that you be open to any feedback you receive. It doesn’t mean you have to take all of it, but you need to learn to put your ego aside and accept that your beta readers are picking up on things other readers might as well.
Finding Beta Readers
You will find that most people feel honored to be asked to beta read your work. Ask members of your household, classmates, friends. If you are a member of a writers’ group you have built-in beta readers there. You could also ask in a Facebook group devoted to your genre, if you belong to one.
Ideally, you’ll want another writer to read your work, along with one or two people who like the genre you write. Having an editor or grammar nerd is also helpful.
Now, go forth and write!
