Beta tips |
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Jeannine
NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 24 Jan 2016 Status: Offline Points: 128 |
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Posted: 27 Jan 2023 at 5:23pm |
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I never sign up for being a beta because I never feel like I can give good enough advice on the story. Anyone else feel guilty when you swap cause you know your getting the better end of it? Or tips on being a better beta
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TheGlamWitch
NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 18 May 2021 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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mistressposte
NYC Midnight Regular Joined: 13 Aug 2022 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 381 |
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I agree! I probably don't have time to take part in the betas this time but I'm still using the feedback I received on my 250 word to help me with this.
I think kindness + honesty is the way to go. You may see something that nobody else has seen. It's not about being clever - just providing your opinion can really help someone see the light!
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Rullawaykid
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 16 Oct 2021 Location: Scandi south Status: Offline Points: 661 |
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This is my fourth NYCM challenge, and for the first two I didn't use/really know about betas and just tried to use a long-suffering group of friends for feedback instead. Then I took the plunge and found it so helpful. Even knowing that a bit of the story doesn't make sense or just that it reads well is helpful. Giving/getting feedback in the forum is less valuable to me because it's basically too late then.
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LilyCat
NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 06 Nov 2020 Status: Offline Points: 189 |
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I've worked as a proofreader and copy editor, so I'm comfortable being a beta reader. I can be harsh with my critiques though, because when you're working on a deadline for a publication you need to get sh*t done. I have to remember to tone it down here for new writers so they'll keep writing, not feel like I'm scolding them. I don't always swap with other writers. Sometimes I prefer to beta and not swap because I have other betas on my list outside of NYCM.
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Popsicle Crows
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 30 Mar 2021 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 2697 |
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I love to beta but I always make it clear that I can offer things OTHER THAN grammar tips.
If you don't come across a grammar whiz in the beta list, don't fret too much. Look at the winning stories. Several are imperfect or use unconventional grammar or spelling and they're all brilliant. The judges aren't editors, they're looking for the best story and give fewer 'points' for technicalities. It's important but clearly they aren't looking for the best grammar with a somewhat decent story. I'm good at potential word cutting but I try to make it clear that the cuts are suggestions/opinions and the writer is the one who decides. If someone needs to lose 100 words, I'll suggest 150 cuts. They decide and can use all, some or none of my suggestions. I usually need a beta to tell me if there's things in my story that are too vague or make the reader have to work too hard to figure it out. That only requires someone who reads. No special skills and each beta may see something different. Sometimes we see our own story so clearly that we forget that other's can't see into our heads All feedback is valuable except rude feedback. And it's absolutely fine to state when something isn't your thing. Even with those stories, we can find something we like. A phrase, an image etc. If you're not comfortable doing a beta read, tell the other writer. They will either guide you into seeing the issue they need help with or they'll say, no problem at all! If you can't help with technical stuff like punctuation, it's okay to say that. I suck at it but thanks to a couple beta readers, I'm getting better. |
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Kali42
NYC Midnight Regular Joined: 29 Jan 2018 Location: Alaska Status: Offline Points: 450 |
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I try to remember to ask people how they like their critiques when I reply to their requests for beta. Mostly because I never want it toned down...I love it when people are direct with me.
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spilledink
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 30 Jan 2021 Location: US Status: Offline Points: 1556 |
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I agree with this! Someone will need the things you see. Ask questions. If a sentence is bugging you, even if you don't know why, point it out. Do you spot plot holes like some people spot potholes? Then that's your superpower. All of it comes together to make us better writers. I think the other thing to point out is, as a beta, you can only do so much. Taking on too many (I'm guilty of it) requests for reads can make it difficult to provide quality feedback to everyone. So, don't over-extend yourself. My final piece of advice, I think giving feedback helps make us better writers. The things that jump out at us in others' writing, we can take note and eliminate from our own writing. |
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iBenj
NYC Midnight Regular Joined: 12 Jan 2022 Location: Melbourne, Aust Status: Offline Points: 423 |
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This. 100% this. I get a lot out of beta reading. At its most basic, who doesn't love to read stories? Then there's that sense of sneaky satisfaction in getting your hands on stories before everybody else. There's the altuistic glow of supporting the community, while also building a personal network of writers that support each other. You might even be But every time I cast a critical eye over a new story, I become better at critiquing my own writing as well. It's worth it, every time.
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JenD
Newbie Joined: 21 Jan 2023 Location: Winnipeg Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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This being my first writing entry ever, I ended up shying away from the beta. 1 because I wasn’t sure how to do it and 2 because I didn’t think it was a good idea mentally. Is it too late to get someone to read my baby step piece?
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