tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post1753871360457704903..comments2024-03-27T03:16:57.365-04:00Comments on Girlfriends Book Club: Critique partner or Beta reader?Writer Wenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16730769794553260336noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-63092025233444996662013-10-30T15:41:50.131-04:002013-10-30T15:41:50.131-04:00Thank you for your post! It was very helpful. I am...Thank you for your post! It was very helpful. I am an aspiring writer between teaching and mommying. You have brought light to what I'm missing: a crit partner and beta readers. I have a feeling this first novel will not be as well received as I imagine, but man, having someone to tell me so would be great! lol Thank you again for sharing and happy writing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-3347887620845309462013-10-29T17:35:32.136-04:002013-10-29T17:35:32.136-04:00Thanks, Karin!Thanks, Karin!Maria Geracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02296473703226019932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-13434098265507516162013-10-29T17:35:17.515-04:002013-10-29T17:35:17.515-04:00Exactly, Lauren! Even though each book gets harder...Exactly, Lauren! Even though each book gets harder, I also get a little wiser ;)Maria Geracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02296473703226019932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-19061886237378422082013-10-29T17:33:57.723-04:002013-10-29T17:33:57.723-04:00My beta readers are local friends who have express...My beta readers are local friends who have expressed a big interest in my books. I think it's important that your readers genuinely love your voice and the genre you write in and are people who will buy your books. In other words, your target audience. Of course, it's important to emphasize that you aren't looking for a "oh that's great!" end comment. I stress that I am looking for an honest opinion so that I can improve the story. I usually get really terrific insights from them. As for advertising for beta readers on Craigslist and Twitter, oh, Wendy, that's almost a story in itself!Maria Geracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02296473703226019932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-48314936335662693702013-10-29T17:30:04.302-04:002013-10-29T17:30:04.302-04:00I agree, Laura. Ignorance is definitely bliss! Ooh...I agree, Laura. Ignorance is definitely bliss! Ooh, can't wait to see what you're working on next!Maria Geracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02296473703226019932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-2643379543293024742013-10-29T17:28:31.559-04:002013-10-29T17:28:31.559-04:00I think it's because expectations rise with ea...I think it's because expectations rise with each book we write. At least, I think that's it for me :) We need to do coffee soon!Maria Geracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02296473703226019932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-40165100873975685062013-10-29T17:27:08.315-04:002013-10-29T17:27:08.315-04:00Betsy, my beta readers also prefer paper. I try to...Betsy, my beta readers also prefer paper. I try to make it as easy for them since they're doing me a huge favor. As for that Oxford comma, I am a comma mess. Thank God for copy editors!Maria Geracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02296473703226019932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-41009083319481201162013-10-29T16:41:18.777-04:002013-10-29T16:41:18.777-04:00Loved reading this. So fun to see how everyone els...Loved reading this. So fun to see how everyone else handles this task!Karin Gillespienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-35099769192209103412013-10-29T11:30:32.590-04:002013-10-29T11:30:32.590-04:00I have a writing group I workshop some things with...I have a writing group I workshop some things with. Some things I'll reach out to specific people because I think they're the right eyes for a particular aspect of a book. And some things go straight to the publishing editor without a single other set of eyeballs in between. I think part of growing as a writer is not just learning to write better but also growing your own editorial ear and instincts so you know exactly what kind of help you need to get your book where you want it to be. Lauren Baratz-Logstedhttp://www.laurenbaratzlogsted.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-45778938666087882332013-10-29T11:01:13.828-04:002013-10-29T11:01:13.828-04:00I agree that most of this never gets easier. :-) I...I agree that most of this never gets easier. :-) I don't have any trouble finding fellow writers to critique my ms, but I would love to try out some beta readers. I have no idea how to find ones that would be the most helpful. Any thoughts? Don't want to just advertise on Twitter or CraigsList -- LOLWendy Tokunagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03529294803049232598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-33473794223685993872013-10-29T09:53:30.345-04:002013-10-29T09:53:30.345-04:00Great post, Maria. And, Ack!, Sheila stole my comm...Great post, Maria. And, Ack!, Sheila stole my comment. I am sitting here with revisions on my latest manuscript and popped over to GBC out of frustration. I was literally thinking, "Why does it seem like this keeps getting harder!' I think part of the answer is I know more than I did ten years ago. Don't they say something about ignorance being bliss?<br />Laura Spinellahttp://www.lauraspinella.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-88564066904786859142013-10-29T09:03:33.627-04:002013-10-29T09:03:33.627-04:00Maria, I haven't had much of a system as yet a...Maria, I haven't had much of a system as yet and the one I'm trying is -- well, it is trying. But I loved your comment about how each book gets harder. Why is that?S. M. Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11115275038465521768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-61307798213131524172013-10-29T08:03:00.075-04:002013-10-29T08:03:00.075-04:00I have a small group of beta readers who prefer ol...I have a small group of beta readers who prefer old-school paper copies of a manuscript. I give them binders and red pens and let them have fun. I meet with them after to listen to their comments. Brutal honesty yet civility. These meetings point me in the right direction for edits. After a trusted final reader has his say, the ms goes to my agent. Who is the absolute BEST editor ever. She doesn't let me get away with so much as an errant comma. (Although we are having a "discussion" about using the Oxford comma or not.)Betsy Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871010122475160477noreply@blogger.com