I just finished doing a 52 page beta read. Yesterday, I talked to my BP, and told him I was about 25 pages into it, and had 40 or so comments. He sounded a little upset by that.
I finished it today, with 82 comments, and a one page synopsis of my thoughts. Afterwards, I was thinking about him sounding upset. And it got me thinking… Do I overdo it?
I know when I get a beta-read back of my own work, there is nothing more disappointing than only a few comments. Especially if they are general and of no value. I pour my heart into my beta reads, and really think over everything, and I comment on the good, as well as making suggestions if I don’t think something reads smoothly. The better a novel is, the more comments I make… It just seems worth the effort.
(And let me tell you, this particular novel is worth the effort. It has BEST SELLER stamped all over it.)
I’m wondering, though… is this too much?
If it were me, and I was about to submit to a publisher, I would want to know EVERY little hiccup in my story. Fix my spacing, correct my punctuation, tell me my voice is off… as well as the “Oh! This is really good” remarks.
I’m wondering though, is that what everyone wants?
What do you want in a beta read?
Jennifer M Eaton 
You sound like the perfect beta reader. Perhaps your current partner needs to tell you what he expects or wants from you?
Robin
By the way, I’m applying for the BP position should it open up.
Actually, I’m getting ready for a final beta-read soon! I’ll keep you in mind.
Oh this is a nice outlook of beta reading.
I tend to use them for fan fiction but would you definatly recomend them for original fiction before or instead of editors?
Hello, Mark! Welcome aboard!
There is never a bad time for a beta read. However, I would always recommend at least having a COMPLETED project (which can be a first draft for a novel) I wouldn’t say they REPLACE editors, but mine find tons of little things that an editor would find.
The beauty is, that the more they find, the better a novel looks when you send it out. It will just have a more professional appearance if there are fewer “dumb” erros in your novel.
A good beta partner will also let you know when you’ve made mistakes that you aren’t even aware of being mistakes.
The catch is… you need to do the same for them. In general, you will “get what you give” Meaning, if you give a great, constructive critique, other people will be more willing to take time with yours in return.
Good luck!
I think the way you are editing takes a lot of work and dedication. Good on you for doing this. Maybe you could tell the author what type of editing you’ll be doing, so they are ready for it. Or ask if they want something less in the way of comments.
I had the good fortune to have Joan Barfoot as a mentor when I attended the Humber School for Writers. She red-penned my first novel. Her advice was to receive the comments, allow a half hour for a temper tantrum and then get back to work and fix the manuscript. It’s great advice.
Anyone should feel lucky to have someone give their work a hard review.
Hahahaha! I had to laugh about the temper tantrum part. I can’t tell you how many I’ve had when critiques or reviews came in, especially in the beginning. I’ve found over the years the harsher the comments, the better my novel became. There is a difference, though, between harsh and rude. I think some reviewers (definitely not Jennifer) need to find that delicate balance between helpful and hurtful. I’ve had some that were downright mean. The only thing those reviews did was toughen my hide. I guess that’s learning something unto itself.
I always tell my Beta readers to be honest if nothing else. Sometimes I even include a red pen with the manuscript. The only way to improve a draft is to understand where it’s working and where its not. However, I am big on constructive criticism above all else. If a Beta reader doesn’t like something I want to know why. Criticism for criticism sake does not help and it can really hurt. That’s something I keep in mind when I do a critique. There is always a set of strengths and weaknesses in a piece, which makes it my job to figure out how the strengths can help fix the weaknesses. 🙂
Absolutely, C.B! Criticism should always be constructive. That’s why I use the notes feature in a beta read… It gives you a chance to “expound” on what you are saying, as well as make some suggestions.
Thank you for the giggle about the word niggle. I shall be integrating it into regular speech.
Jennifer – Everything Jen said. Yes I want every little comment. My baby might be the greatest thing and perfect and accepting any remarks might be hard but I want them. As writers there is only so much we notice about our own works. Also, I prefer to get more comments because if you are willing to put the time in then I know I did well. You wrote 80+ comments and a one page synopsis – that is a huge deal and each comment is worth a lot. Keep doing what you do and if they do not like it, they can go to the Twilight editor
Hahahahahaha! The Twilight editor! Classic! Sad thing is, Ms. Myers and her editor are laughing all the way to the bank.
But really, was there a method to their madness? If you think about it, the books were written for 14-year old girls as if they were written by a 14-year old girl, so who is fooling who?
Tee Hee. Sometimes I read something that has been published and I shake my head. Here we all are, working so hard for perfection, and “they published THIS?”
**Sigh** someday, no one will care that I can’t spell and I make typos, or that my eight year old sounds like a 12 year old. But that’s not today. For now, I need beta readers.
As someone working through the editing and rewriting I can tell you that I hope my beta readers are as thorough as you. I want to find all of those things out long before I get it in the hands of a publisher.
I absolutely agree. That’s what we are here for… to help eachother out.
I DO want to know every single niggle. Perhaps the person in question was having a bad day. I think we all have those when nothing seems to be going right and then you get more ‘bad’ news. I’m sure the person was actually elated with the remarks. I know I am when I get them. I mean, no one likes to see their ms bled on, but in order to make it the best it can be, it has to suffer a few cuts and bruises, maybe even a broken leg or two. There may be a need to sever a few parts, too.
I wouldn’t change ANYTHING you’re doing. If your beta reader has an issue, that’s his or her problem and if they value you, (s)he’ll get over it, suck it up and realize what a gem (s)he has in you. I know I value my blunt and truthful beta readers as if they were solid gold.