I mean it so much, that I’m going to be redundant: I love beta readers!
Wow. My three beta readers have completely IMPRESSED me!
I write so people find enjoyment in what I’ve written. I write to share ideas and thoughts with others. I write because it’s fun. Well, it is fun, until I find myself in an endless sea of a single task. Here is how my novel has gone so far.
- I’m so frustrated with my OUTLINE. I wish I could just figure out the climax.
- I have so much more to do on my FIRST DRAFT, when will I be finished?
- REVISING is so tedious. How did I write this piece of crap anyway?
- Who truly knows how to EDIT? Grammar? I must have slept through that class.
- But BETA READERS? I LOVE THEM! I LOVE THIS PROCESS!!!! I’M IN NO HURRY TO FINISH THIS STEP (for once). BETA READERS bring the fun back into writing! That is, if you are willing to listen and take their feedback as constructive.
So back to my three beta readers. They are amazing. Each one of them have been spending so much time helping me turn my strung together plot and half-baked characters into something with feeling and meaning.
What amazes me the most, is many beta readers do this for nothing in return. Purely out of the goodness of their heart. It really makes me all warm and fuzzy with hope for humanity.
I have beta read and it is fun! I’ve critiqued some great stories that I’d never have read otherwise. I’ve helped authors (I hope) identify plot holes and character flaws. PLUS, I’ve given encouraging feedback.
I urge you all to try beta reading. If you’re at all interested, you can find an author who is looking for help and answer their ad. Start here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_folder/220415?group_id=50920
Happy reading and writing!
–Joy
Joynell Schultz, Author 
So glad to hear the beta readers are helping. And wow! It’s fun, too! Terrific.
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Thanks!
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Soon moving to this step myself actually. Next month or so. Glad to hear it’s more fun than revising!
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It’s fun… But I’m taking a beating. The fun part is solving the issues the readers find. Thick skin is needed.
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Oh, I bet it’s needed. I think it will be more fun than second guessing stuff I wrote months ago, though.
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Joy–thanks for the post on beta readers, especially giving the link. Though I’ve been in the writing world for a while, I’m trying to publish my first novel and have been looking for beta readers that aren’t my friends that I can trust.
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You bet! Thanks for reading it :-). I hope you have luck finding someone to read your story, I’ve had great luck on GoodReads doing a swap.
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Best of luck, Joy. I just signed up to help someone. Hope I can contribute!
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This is awesome! I’ve read a few writer’s novels now and I’m really enjoying it! I’m finding I’d rather contribute something than read something professionally done. I hope you enjoy it as well.
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I got my manuscript, Joynell. Better get reading! Thanks again for the lead.
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I hope you have a good one! I recently finished one that I think was one of the best books I’ve ever read. Turns out it was written by a 19 year old. Amazing.
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Reblogged this on Rosepoint Publishing and commented:
This article says it all–and quite succinctly. I’ve greatly enjoyed being a beta reader. And I have no problem volunteering for new authors willing to share their manuscripts. I hope that I’ve contributed to their work, and helped them along to completion and publication. The two-way street here is that it always teaches me something as well. Read on!
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Thanks for the share and the positive words!!!! Both mean a lot to me.
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