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Anyone Want to Beta Read?
#1
dill616
dill616
#2
Dave
Dave
#3
Zapkode.marie
Zapkode.marie
#4
dill616
dill616
#5
CrimsonSoul
CrimsonSoul
#6
Hailey Knight
Hailey Knight
I wish I had time right now, but I won't until January.
In lieu of that, however, I've been a beta before and I'd like to share what occurred in one instance. The author wasn't really looking for feedback so much as praise, and that's a terrible way to go about getting beta readers. I worded things kindly to the author of the beta, but if I had to bluntly give her advice, it would've been "don't use daytime soap operas as a template for writing your shitty novel. Instead use other shitty novels."
In reality I went through the major points because doing all of them would have been overwhelming and probably demeaning, but she gave herself a self-publishing date of a week after beta readers' input was due, leaving zero time to address any problems.
None of this is probably relevant to your situation as from what General Specific has said, you do the right thing in that you take your writing seriously.
So any actual advice would be in agreement with Neil Gaiman in that when a reader says something is wrong, investigate, but do not take too much stock in what their suggestions are for fixing it. As readers, they know when something's off, but they can't know what's in your head as the writer of your particular book.
In lieu of that, however, I've been a beta before and I'd like to share what occurred in one instance. The author wasn't really looking for feedback so much as praise, and that's a terrible way to go about getting beta readers. I worded things kindly to the author of the beta, but if I had to bluntly give her advice, it would've been "don't use daytime soap operas as a template for writing your shitty novel. Instead use other shitty novels."
In reality I went through the major points because doing all of them would have been overwhelming and probably demeaning, but she gave herself a self-publishing date of a week after beta readers' input was due, leaving zero time to address any problems.None of this is probably relevant to your situation as from what General Specific has said, you do the right thing in that you take your writing seriously.
So any actual advice would be in agreement with Neil Gaiman in that when a reader says something is wrong, investigate, but do not take too much stock in what their suggestions are for fixing it. As readers, they know when something's off, but they can't know what's in your head as the writer of your particular book.
#7
dill616
I'm not self-publishing this one. Right now, I'm in the querying process with agents. I did get a nice personal response from one of the big agents telling me that she liked my work and it had several unique themes she'd never seen before. She passed because it wasn't the genre she was looking for at the time. I totally get it. I need a cheerleader. Four have come back with the same "pass." There are still 16 out.
I've already done constructive one round of betas and am looking to do another one with a different audience. After that, I'm starting on book two.
dill616
Ugh, no people. On the other hand, there are writing communities that are just mean as all hell. It's constant put downs and "you don't need to write like this." It's my work. Don't tell me what I'm trying to say! I've had people convince me that I'm making a holocaust parallel with my work and need to put that into my query letter. NO, DAMN IT! Stop trying to tell me my book is about genocide!!
I'm not self-publishing this one. Right now, I'm in the querying process with agents. I did get a nice personal response from one of the big agents telling me that she liked my work and it had several unique themes she'd never seen before. She passed because it wasn't the genre she was looking for at the time. I totally get it. I need a cheerleader. Four have come back with the same "pass." There are still 16 out.
I've already done constructive one round of betas and am looking to do another one with a different audience. After that, I'm starting on book two.
#8
Hailey Knight
.
Hailey Knight
It should be what you want it to be, but both my wife and I independently thought Shoah at the initial part of the premise
.
#9
dill616
One of the big questions of the novel is "Why are these people allowed to live?" I want you have the whole 'prison camp' idea when you first enter into the novel, but then have that concept completely wiped out when you start reading. Take a look at the environment where they have oak cabinets, hydroponics, solar panels, and e-vehicles. What does that say? Someone wants these people not only to live, but to live in comfort. Why?
I've seriously done so much research and cried over so many documentaries. All the feels.
dill616
It should be what you want it to be, but both my wife and I independently thought Shoah at the initial part of the premise
One of the big questions of the novel is "Why are these people allowed to live?" I want you have the whole 'prison camp' idea when you first enter into the novel, but then have that concept completely wiped out when you start reading. Take a look at the environment where they have oak cabinets, hydroponics, solar panels, and e-vehicles. What does that say? Someone wants these people not only to live, but to live in comfort. Why?
I've seriously done so much research and cried over so many documentaries. All the feels.
#10
Hailey Knight
Hailey Knight
#11
dill616
Also....don't tell anyone because it's a secret...In book 2, the reader finds out that ghettos and refugee camps do exist in abundance. However, they are located on the OUTSIDE, far away from the Compounds. Dun dun dun.
dill616
A lot of the interpretation is left in the hands of the reader.
Also....don't tell anyone because it's a secret...In book 2, the reader finds out that ghettos and refugee camps do exist in abundance. However, they are located on the OUTSIDE, far away from the Compounds. Dun dun dun.