How to Use Beta Readers Skillfully
The term “beta readers” refers to people who read your novel before you publish it. They can be invaluable in helping you find problems in your fiction. That is, if you know how to use beta readers in the first place. You see, most authors have a rather flawed idea of what a beta reader […]
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Oh wow, what a fantastic, encouraging comment. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this!
My pleasure! You have some great insights! :)
And I'm with you. For the most part, I don't use beta readers either. (Huge exception: I read each of my books aloud to my hubby, whose feedback I truly value -- as a "reader" (versus "critic,") his advice is only ever directed toward something that I've not appropriately made clear, which is in my head but not properly translated into words.) Instead, I write what is in my soul, and to hell if it's written "to market."
Another exception: I did use beta readers for Carapace and took the advice to change a scene description that came directly from my muse... and I'm still sorry about that. It was a shining bit of amazingness that is now lost forever because I didn't trust myself. :(
In the end, while being a multi-millionaire is an attractive dream, I write for me. I write because if I don't, I'll melt into a puddle of molasses-like goo, or crumble to sickly shards of yellow stuff, or [supply your own armageddon-ish horror here]. I write because it is magic. I write because my imaginary friends will only wait so long for me to tell their story. And when I'm writing, I speak as honestly as I can. Thankfully, there are readers out there with whom those "true" stories resonate.
Actually, I'm quite excited because Khara, Samuel, and Nestra (Carapace characters) have been very patient. (They knew I needed to finish with the Phantom.) But they've recently let me know that they have more to say, which needs to be said soon. So, there's that rollercoaster ride to look forward to. (Ahem, the world in which they live is not for the faint of heart.) ;)
So, thank you for this article. It clarified things for me that I had been questioning. Keep doing what you're doing, Chris. I, for one, value it.