So many romance writers
love a good Alpha. Yes, please! I’ll own that I enjoy some sexy Alpha energy in
the romances I read. While the Alphas are yummy, let us not forget how
important the Betas are. Specifically, the Beta Readers of the world.
What is a Beta Reader, you ask? It’s a great question and
something I didn’t know about ‘til a few months ago. After joining several
Facebook groups supporting romance writers and women writers, I learned the
term. In short it is an individual or a team of individuals that read your manuscript
prior to sending it off to an editor. Their feedback provides valuable analysis
on the plot, characters, and story format. They read it not from an editor’s
perspective, but from that of a reader. They identify points in which the story
drags, plot points that drop or are inconsistent, critique dialogue, and offer insight
into your characters.
For my first book Finding Home I was blessed
enough to have several Beta Readers including members of my all-romance book
club The Elizabeth Bennet Book Club. They were able to give me some
valuable input that I’ve incorporated into the edits I’m making with my goddess
of an editor Gemma Brocato (have you read her stuff yet!!?).
The Beta Reader experience truly came alive with my
second manuscript In the Hello and In the Goodbye, a second-chance
romance about Colm Gallagher, a special education teacher on the Autism
Spectrum, and his little chatterbox Evie Johnson. For this novel, I reached beyond
my in-network readers getting Beta Readers who had ZERO relationship with me.
While friends and family can be wonderful in providing you feedback, they are
invested in your happiness and may pull their punches (although, my OG Beta
Reader who still reads all my stuff has sucker punched me a few times with her constructive
critique, but I am a better writer for it and adore her!).
The Beta Reader process is such a wonderful yet
terrifying experience. It’s something all writers should experience. Have
people outside your bubble read your work. Have them give you feedback. The
Beta Reader for In the Hello and In the Goodbye provided a formal report
helping me see what I did well in the book, where I needed to move things along,
and areas to strengthen. It helped me tighten things up, making it a stronger story
before engaging in a formal editing process.
So, now that I’ve gone all Lady Gaga over my love of the
Beta Reader process, I am sure you are wondering how does one get a Beta
Reader? There are some professional Beta Readers or editors that will provide
this service at cost for you. You can find them online or through various writer
networks. One trick I found was joining a Beta Readers group on Facebook, where
writers and editors exchange their reading services for free with one another.
It’s very quid pro quo. I read yours, you read mine. The Beta Reader group I
belong to on Facebook is for all genres, but if you belong to genre-specific
groups, you can often find folks familiar with your genre that would be open to
doing this.
I can’t stress the importance of lots and lots and lots
and lots (you get the point) of feedback in the writing process. As painful as
it can be, it’s crucial in helping you craft a story that readers will want to
read. Isn’t that the point of writing, after all? If you want to create a story
that an audience will connect with, you need to have some of that audience
participate in crafting the story.
I would be lost in the darkness of solo creativity if it weren’t
for my amazing army of Beta Readers. I am so grateful for those within my
little bubble and outside that have agreed to support my writing journey with
their time and feedback as a reader.
Here’s to the Beta Readers of the world! We writers need
you and we readers thank you. If you’re interested in serving as a Beta Reader
for my forthcoming manuscripts, hit me up on IG at Melissa_WhitneyAuthor! I’m
always open to adding to my roster to get even more feedback.
Pinkies Up!
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