Advice on beta & editing process

[T.A.]

How many revisions you do is entirely up to you. I am publishing my first book soon as well and it has taken me five years and six almost completely rewritten drafts to get it right. I am definitely not one of those writers who can turn out a fantastic first draft, though I know one or two who can.

I generally don't send anything to beta readers until I've done at least two drafts on my own. I don't like sending first drafts because there are usually issues I can find and fix on my own before a beta gets involved, and I would feel like I was wasting their time if I didn't try to make the story as good as I could on my own first. I do think it's a good idea to go through at least two or three rounds of beta reading before you start focusing on more technical stuff, such as line edits and grammar. Not that you shouldn't be trying to improve that stuff as you go along, but I don't think there's any point agonizing over that until you've fixed all of the major structural issues with the story. If there are plot holes or huge portions of the story that will need to be changed, all of the word choice, punctuation, grammar, is going to change anyway so you'll just be right back where you started. Once you're happy with the story itself, then worry about the nitty gritty details. Basically, start with the big stuff and work your way down to the smaller stuff.

If you feel like the story itself is solid and you're ready for an editor to help you with those details, go for it. If you still have doubts, I might suggest holding off for a little while.

[John]

From experience, Tanni, you've got it about right.

[E.A.]

You need to remember that beta-reading, proof-reading and editing are all entirely different things too.
When you ask someone to read for you, that's what they do. The advice they give back is on the storyline (if they liked it or not), your characters and their background /personality, continuity, plot holes and I personally have given advice on feasibility and believability of certain things.
A recent book I read had a pregnant woman falling down a flight of stairs and getting up to walk away without any injury. As a woman, I find it hard to believe that she could not even be hurt, let alone go into premature labour?
But the point is, that everything you get back from a beta is their 'opinion', not directions for you to do it. You take what you think is relevant and agree with yourself, from it. If your 2nd betas came back with something that the 1st ones missed and you agree with it, then you should act on it to make your MS better. If not, then don't. At the end of the day, If you're happy with how your book is, then send it on to your editor. If you think it still needs work, keep going at it.
Good luck with it! Happy writing!

[John]

I know your right, EA, but I can't help doing a mini-edit as I beta read.
The problem for me, as a writer, is that I default to writing a constructive critique ... it's my training I expect: it makes me the person I am.

[E.A.]

Yeah, I'm guilty as charged for that too, John! I'm a writer but will also read for others and will always give a constructive critique as to what I think is wrong and how it could be fixed. I can come across as a bit blunt sometimes when I report back (although I try not too! ) but that's just me telling you how it is, how I see it.

[R.F.]

After 5 years and 7 extensive rewrites I've come to this conclusion: If there's a story here, and I keep chipping away at everything that that's getting in the way, sooner or later it'll become a very compact short story.

There's no end to rewriting. You just got to declare it done when you think it is.

Ray Bright

I'd like to find dome beta readers, any advice?

[E.A.]

Kent wrote: "Hi everyone,

I’m having trouble posting this as a new topic so I am posting here since it is also to do with advice on the editing process.

I have been busy working on my first novel and recentl..."

If you go to the subsection of the group (this is in the discussion section) you'll have all the threads come up as a list. At the top right it says "New Topic", just click that and fill out the details.

It took me a while to work my way around too! lol

Developmental editors give opinions on content, tone and direction of your book , but you'll probably find most of them perform some of the tasks other types of editors would too. They're used while you're still writing your book to help you with it. What is called an Acquisitions editor is the one most use after the book is finished. They correct punctuation, grammar, contextual spelling, change sentence structure when needed to help your MS read better and generally polish it all up ready to go out on the market for sale.

Your editor should have given you more than you received. They're supposed to work with you to fix these kinds of problems. They basically tear your MS apart to build it back up again, making it better. You should certainly know how to move the story forward! It sounds more like you've had it beta-read, to be honest ( no offense to any beta readers, after all, I also read for other authors as well as write) as that's the kind of feedback I would expect from a beta reading.
I can't say if it was a scam as I don't know the person you're talking about or what they promised you but if it was me I wouldn't use them again - especially not if you weren't happy with the service you received from them.
Did you see any reviews on their work from previous clients? Check for those next time you use someone, it can tell you a lot about what kind of service you're going to get back from them.

Liz

[E.A.]

Ray wrote: "After 5 years and 7 extensive rewrites I've come to this conclusion: If there's a story here, and I keep chipping away at everything that that's getting in the way, sooner or later it'll become a v..."

I saw this a while ago if it helps you any? Not sure what they're like as I didn't use them, though.

https://www.fanfiction.net/betareader...

Good luck with them, I hope it's what you're looking for!
Liz