Beta readers...do we need them?

When I first began to blog, back in 2012, it was to promote my sister, Anita’s books and I had no idea how anything worked. All I had to go by was the fact that everybody seemed to be doing it, so how hard could it be.So I set to it with a great deal of determination (and patience) to learn whatever was necessary to do the job. Didn’t think it would be too difficult, after all I had just mastered the art of formatting and uploading a load of Word files to Amazon. And Smashwords and Goodreads.It was beginning to look quite easy, but that was about to change.
Although I love to read, and do a lot of it, I must admit that in the beginning I read more ‘how-to’ books than any other kind. Most of these were very good, and I would not be as clever as I am now if not for their advice. My only complaint is that they only ever go so far, not basic enough for technophobic idiots like me.Although I have learned a lot, I know there are vast chunks of information missing. But being a stubborn soul, I will continue to persevere. Maybe I will get lucky, and God knows, it couldn’t hurt.
Somewhere along the way, the idea for a book of my own seeded itself in my head, and promptly took root. I had always wanted to write, but would I be any good?I ended up writing The Ninth Life, and it turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be, but was reasonably pleased with the result. I edited until I was blue in the face and promptly uploaded it to Amazon. But something was nagging at me, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I even started work on the sequel, for my characters had decided there was more where that came from. It was only when I started to create the new outline, that certain issues made themselves known. Was it possible I had rushed the ending in my haste to finish?


That was when I knew I needed a second opinion. So I appealed to all my new friends on Facebook for a beta reader, and Louise Wyatt contacted me and offered to read my book.As the time ticked away, my nerves drove me insane. I hovered between eternal optimism and the darkest despair. Supposing she thought it was rubbish. That there were hundreds of things wrong with it. What then?When I noticed the name Louise Wyatt in my emails two weeks later, my stomach hit the floor. It was time to learn the truth.
I printed off the email and the report that came with it, but it was a while before I could read it. Anita read it before I did, and she just grinned at me. What did that mean?When I finally plucked up the courage to read it, I was pleasantly surprised. Apart from a few typos and one slight character weakness, there was only one major problem. I had rushed the ending, thus ruining all the tension I had so painstakingly created.But, and this was the best bit, Louise really liked my story and promised to leave a review on Amazon.Here it is, my first review!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews4.0 out of 5 stars An addictive and rollercoaster of a read 4 Mar. 2015 By Louise Wyatt
If you like the thriller genre that keeps up the momentum then The Ninth Life would be a good read for you. The pace never falters, building up the plot and characters with timely intervention. The author cleverly keeps the story centred around the main character, with the other players coming into the story and yet there are no plot holes or false timings.
Not once did I get bored reading it or find the story faltering at all - definitely one of those where 'you need to know what happens next' but I think the author's gift when writing this is to keep the protagonist centre whilst keeping the reader constantly hooked. The antagonist is typically a nasty character, one whom the reader takes an instant dislike to and the edge he adds to the story is almost palpable.
Other characters are kept to a minimum but play pivotal roles in the story; the good thing here is you never know quite how they will turn out. Will your fears be unfounded? Or did you correctly guess the next step? The ending is not what you would expect (another good talent to have when writing) but you'll have to read the book!

So, for all new writers out there, or anyone who thinks they don’t need professional advice, you are missing out on some valuable help. It will do wonders for your morale too!
I’m so glad I did, even though it means altering and rewriting sections before uploading my story to Amazon again. At least now I know it is a good story and worth reading.Which also helps me with the sequel!
You can contact Louise here…