Writer's Road Recap: Finding Betas and Crit Groups
Here is an abbreviated recap of last Monday's chat on finding the right beta readers or critique group:
Yelena Casale to @HeatherMcCorkle There has to be a good balance betw a constructive critique and encouragement #writersroad
Heather McCorkle The key is to know what you're looking for in betas or crit partners, and be ready to reciprocate. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong It's important to know what you're looking for: Do you want structure, grammar, character development? Helps to know first. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong For instance, I'm not much into grammar and misspellings. I like having CPs who can do structure/plot/character stuff. #WritersRoad
Melinda Primrose to @Yelena_Casale and you have to be willing to take the constructive criticism #writersroad
Fifi to .@HeatherMcCorkle yes. I think before agreeing with being partners we should not just share samples but talk schedules. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong CPs don't necessarily need to tell you how to fix your novel problems, but they can let you know what's not working. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle to @mmpmuskie So very true. And you have to be willing to give it, constructive being the key element. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle to @Fida_Islaih Great idea! Sharing samples and testing styles is the way to start. #WritersRoad
TS Tate (Tee) The SINGLE most important thing to look for in a beat or CP is honesty. Blowing smoke will NEVER help you. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong Do you guys tend to have CPs & beta readers who are in the same genre? I've have mixed experiences. #WritersRoad
TS Tate (Tee) Don't be afraid to ask for what you want from your beta. Be specific. Never vague. #WritersRoad
JR Holmes Depending on how confident I am with my genre, I would look more for general plot, character, pacing advice #WritersRoad
TS Tate (Tee) A good beta will point out areas that will improve ur ms.A poor one will make you feel bad abt your talent.Walk away from those #WritersRoad
Karen Strong to @JRHolmes Yeah beta readers are great for pacing. They can tell you when things feel "slow" or "too fast". #WritersRoad
Melinda Primrose do you like when your br/cp offers a way to fix a problem or not? #writersroad
Heather McCorkle Constructive criticism, but honesty, is the key to being a good beta/crit partner. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong What format do most of you get and/or receive critiques? Tracked changes? Notes? Summary? I usually do a chapter spreadsheet. #WritersRoad
TS Tate (Tee) CP rule of thumb: Always mention what u love first, THEN critique. It's just good manners. :) #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle to @KarenMusings I LOVE track changes in word. If not that, then printed out and written in red, or separate doc. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle Side note: Track changes in word are something you need to get used to cause editors use them. #WritersRoad
DahliaAdler The big 3 I look for in a beta/CP are reliability, honesty, and editorial skill. Flaking & rewriting voice = biggest red flags. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong Do you do critiques by chapters or do you do whole novels? Which do you find is better? Advantages/Disadvantages? #WritersRoad
DahliaAdler To me, a CP is a real partner. Someone who doesn't stick with you when one gets an agent or deal is not a partner. It happens. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle You need a tough skin for betas and crit partners but you never have to take abuse. Big difference. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle Be careful when critiquing for others. Snark/sarcasm don't come across well in correspondences. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle And they can boarder on bullying. #WritersRoad
DahliaAdler If a beta makes you feel bad about yourself, all the good notes in the world won't bring you back from that. Break up. #WritersRoad
TS Tate (Tee) Your relationship w/ ur CP shld be a partnership. Don't demand & not return. Don't give & never take. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong How did most of you find your CPs? Most of mine I've found through writing classes. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle to @KarenMusings I foudn mine at writer's retreats. #WritersRoad
TS Tate (Tee) to @KarenMusings School, Workshops, this chat, actually. I've gotten to wrk w/ some great writers bc of #WritersRoad
Patricia Lynne to @KarenMusings The2 reliable Cps I have, I found on Twitter. Also have a friend who reads all my stuff & gives her thoughts #WritersRoad
Kristie Cook Have we differentiated between CPs & betas? My CPs are authors or editors. Betas can be writers, but also readers/bloggers. #writersroad
Karen Strong @KarenMusings Know your limits. If you really don't have the time to be a CP, you shouldn't overextend yourself. It's a LOT of work. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle to @kristiecookauth For me, my betas read the entire novel, crits might just read chapters here and there. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle World Literary Cafe is one great resource to find betas/crit partners: tinyurl.com/ofvna98 #WritersRoad
TS Tate (Tee) The best CPs will help you grow as a writer. Be open & willing to learn from them & to teach when necessary. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle Absolute Write is another great resource for finding beta/crits: tinyurl.com/ovrjcgn #WritersRoad
Karen Strong Most of my beta readers are just readers and not writers. But they tend to read in my genre. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle Absolute Write is another great resource for finding beta/crits: tinyurl.com/ovrjcgn #WritersRoad
Karen Strong I need to troll my public library and get a teen beta reader. They have monthly book clubs that I sometimes eavesdrop on. LOL #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle There is even a Goodreads group for betas/crits that could use more exposure: tinyurl.com/o8ohezf #WritersRoad
Melinda Primrose do you think it's easier to be honest with someone you're well acquainted with or a stranger? #writersroad
Heather McCorkle to @mmpmuskie It's easier for me if I know them, then I know how they like their feedback. #WritersRoad
Karen Strong Have any of you ever had to break up with a beta or a CP? How did that go? #WritersRoad
Ebony McKenna author My rrit group recently showed me my latest WIP began at chapter 2. It hurt my brain, but they were right. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle to @EbonyMcKenna That's what I love about them, honest and helpful even when it hurts. #WritersRoad
atricia Lynne to @mmpmuskie I'd think it'd be easier to be honest with a stranger because friends I worry more about hurting their feelings. #WritersRoad
Ebony McKenna author Sometimes honesty hurts, but it means I can trust them not to fob me off with 'it's lovely, don't change a thing' #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle to @plynne_writes But feelings should always be important because writing is personal. Still, we must be honest. #WritersRoad
Chelsea Pitcher The thing about CPs is, you need to trust they have your best interest in mind. That said, you don't have to agree w/ them 100% #WritersRoad
DahliaAdler Also I have a blog mini-series on Writing Relationships, because of course I do: dailydahlia.wordpress.com/tag/writing-re… #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle Critique Circle is another great resource for finding betas/crits: tinyurl.com/qyfq7o #WritersRoad
Elaine Calloway to @KarenMusings Not everyone needs 2write same genre, but everyone needs same work ethic. Hobbyist & career author = bad. #writersroad
DahliaAdler If you're on the receiving end, *always* acknowledge the reader's time and effort, no matter what you think of the notes. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle I haven't used them, but Scribophile looks promising for betas/crit finding: tinyurl.com/oow29p4 #WritersRoad
DahliaAdler CPseek.com and HowAboutWeCP.tumblr.com are both great sites for finding CPs, run by awesome people :) #WritersRoad
Ebony McKenna author I try for the sandwich approach, something positive either side of 'bad' news. And then offer ways to fix it. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle Use those resources, don't be afraid to ask their style, and let them know yours. #WritersRoad
Heather McCorkle Test out each others critiquing style before committing to big projects. Make sure it's a good fit. #WritersRoad
Thanks for sharing. So agree that you need to share samples and be sure the schedules match before committing to a partner.
ReplyDeleteIt can be vital to finding the right people.
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