Who needs beta readers, right?
Authors are testing their books with either a group of friends, associates or even the local book club before throwing it out into the world. And everyone else in the business world does it. So why not authors?
It's a good enough idea; sending it off to get evaluated and accepting opinions of different readers to find out exactly what one has. It's also great help, thank you beta readers of the world. But is this really necessary?
After I wrote my first novella, I was so excited to finally 'have it done'. I had edited and re-edited until my words on the page didn't even make sense to me any longer. I thought I was done. I was new to the book writing world and just wanted to see if I had something worth reading. I thought people would be very forgiving if the editing wasn't up to par or if the story had some minor flaws. Hey, as long as you were entertained.
Amazingly enough, after uploading it to a few sights for the first couple of months it was receiving rave reviews, I was even called a 'writing genius' at one point. And there it was. Who needs beta readers, right? And who even needs professional editing? I got this.
Turns out that was just a warm up to the storm brewing ahead. Soon enough, I learned that I was using the world as my beta reader and no one gave me the memo. It was about to get real. Only my beta readers comments were about to be shared with everyone, instead of just little old me. So, if you want to go 'rogue' as I did and take your hits live, then you sure as hell better have thick skin and be able to take them as the world brings them to you.
I did eventually go through all the original steps that most authors take. I just did it in a different way (ass backwards, perhaps). But hey, I'm still making my way to the same destination as everyone else. I'll be the first to admit it was a great learning experience and much needed. There was some emotional pain involved, but I survived and I'm still here with more fortitude and courage than before.
So, why is it important to be okay with beta readers, even if you're rogue like me? The fact is: we spend so much time on our own manuscripts that we can’t see them objectively after a while, no matter how diligently we self-edit. These readers will give you their opinions, but the ball is still in your court to evaluate their responses and decide to use them or not. And lastly, don’t think that seeking a beta reader is an admission that you don’t know what you’re doing as a writer. It’s quite possibly the best opportunity for you, as an author, to get the vital feedback you're looking for before releasing the project you worked so hard on.
Simply post a comment to start a conversation.
SK Thomas is a writer, author, book reviewer and the curious creative complex brain behind this blog.
Keep in touch with the blogger/author:
Website: http://www.skthomasauthor.com
Twitter: @skthomasauthor
Member of Goodreads, LinkedIn & Google+
It's a good enough idea; sending it off to get evaluated and accepting opinions of different readers to find out exactly what one has. It's also great help, thank you beta readers of the world. But is this really necessary?
After I wrote my first novella, I was so excited to finally 'have it done'. I had edited and re-edited until my words on the page didn't even make sense to me any longer. I thought I was done. I was new to the book writing world and just wanted to see if I had something worth reading. I thought people would be very forgiving if the editing wasn't up to par or if the story had some minor flaws. Hey, as long as you were entertained.
Amazingly enough, after uploading it to a few sights for the first couple of months it was receiving rave reviews, I was even called a 'writing genius' at one point. And there it was. Who needs beta readers, right? And who even needs professional editing? I got this.
Turns out that was just a warm up to the storm brewing ahead. Soon enough, I learned that I was using the world as my beta reader and no one gave me the memo. It was about to get real. Only my beta readers comments were about to be shared with everyone, instead of just little old me. So, if you want to go 'rogue' as I did and take your hits live, then you sure as hell better have thick skin and be able to take them as the world brings them to you.
I did eventually go through all the original steps that most authors take. I just did it in a different way (ass backwards, perhaps). But hey, I'm still making my way to the same destination as everyone else. I'll be the first to admit it was a great learning experience and much needed. There was some emotional pain involved, but I survived and I'm still here with more fortitude and courage than before.
So, why is it important to be okay with beta readers, even if you're rogue like me? The fact is: we spend so much time on our own manuscripts that we can’t see them objectively after a while, no matter how diligently we self-edit. These readers will give you their opinions, but the ball is still in your court to evaluate their responses and decide to use them or not. And lastly, don’t think that seeking a beta reader is an admission that you don’t know what you’re doing as a writer. It’s quite possibly the best opportunity for you, as an author, to get the vital feedback you're looking for before releasing the project you worked so hard on.
Simply post a comment to start a conversation.
SK Thomas is a writer, author, book reviewer and the curious creative complex brain behind this blog.
Keep in touch with the blogger/author:
Website: http://www.skthomasauthor.com
Twitter: @skthomasauthor
Member of Goodreads, LinkedIn & Google+
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