Are you an 'Expert' or a 'Naive' Reader?
Recently I read a novel with a detail which was WRONG. Mistakes can make a reader doubt the rest of the book and maybe not finish it.
A reader needs to feel confidence that the author knows what they are talking about. And that the plot could have happened in that place with that kind of character because the details sound credible. Even if it's fiction.
Sometimes I'm an 'expert' reader , if I know something about the subject matter of a novel or I've been to the real place mentioned. Like Antarctica or the outback of Australia. I love reading authors who do their homework about a location like Martin Walker the creator of the French 'Bruno' police novels. And sometimes I'm a naive reader just reading for pleasure and trusting the writer to have been professional enough to have checked details.
As an author, I often request 'expert' readers to give me feedback on my work in progress (W.I.P.) novel. I need to check whether I've got terminology right for that job. Have I got the customs right? Is the setting accurate? Does it sound believable?
Frequently my 'experts' are those with whom I've researched the specialised subject before, especially if a niche area like Antarctic science.
But I also use 'naive' readers, those who read just for the story.
Currently I'm working on an adult mystery with a celebrant-sleuth and I'm very grateful to all the expert celebrants and naive readers
who have helped me.
A reader needs to feel confidence that the author knows what they are talking about. And that the plot could have happened in that place with that kind of character because the details sound credible. Even if it's fiction.
Sometimes I'm an 'expert' reader , if I know something about the subject matter of a novel or I've been to the real place mentioned. Like Antarctica or the outback of Australia. I love reading authors who do their homework about a location like Martin Walker the creator of the French 'Bruno' police novels. And sometimes I'm a naive reader just reading for pleasure and trusting the writer to have been professional enough to have checked details.
As an author, I often request 'expert' readers to give me feedback on my work in progress (W.I.P.) novel. I need to check whether I've got terminology right for that job. Have I got the customs right? Is the setting accurate? Does it sound believable?
Frequently my 'experts' are those with whom I've researched the specialised subject before, especially if a niche area like Antarctic science.
But I also use 'naive' readers, those who read just for the story.
Currently I'm working on an adult mystery with a celebrant-sleuth and I'm very grateful to all the expert celebrants and naive readers
who have helped me.
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