The Better Beta
Crowdsourcing has come to self-publishing. The internet provides a platform to review everything from films to restaurants to vacuum cleaners. And now the internet has streamlined self-publishing, allowing the aspiring author a trial run to correct and enrich a manuscript with the insight of thoughtful early readers. This is not to suggest critiquing a novel manuscript is as simple as giving five stars to your barber. Thoughtfully commenting on a book takes substantial time and a certain predisposition, perhaps as an aspiring writer or a natural English teacher or maybe just as someone with strong opinions about what you read and a desire to see these opinions matter.
The beta reader (the “Beta”) volunteers time and effort in return for mention in the acknowledgements or a copy of the published work but most importantly for an opportunity to help create a book that will last forever.
The author must gratefully accept whatever help the Beta offers, from thoughts on the book’s themes scribbled longhand to handwritten notes on a print copy, responses to a Google Docs questionnaire, or a full Track Changes markup. But to best aid the author’s effort to produce an engaging novel, the Beta will approach the editing project at several levels.
First and simplest is to note mistakes, typos, misspellings, missing verbs or phrases left stranded. The Beta should read with red pen in hand, physically or electronically, as these errors will otherwise slip back into a sea of words. This points to the crucial value of real-time comments, what the Beta thinks at the instant of reading rather than what he or she recreates on later reflection. While the author cares deeply about what the reader takes away from the book as a whole, in the first instance it is invaluable to know what effect the pages and chapters produce as they are read.
The second level of comments takes the Beta beyond proofreading to the creative process. At this level the Beta may note where he/she trips over an awkward word or phrase and either suggest an alternative or simply tell the author to find something better. The Beta also may point out inconsistencies. “Wasn’t this red car blue in Chapter Four?” But the Beta need not identify where the car was described as blue or even be correct; the author will still benefit from knowing a reader was confused. If several Betas have the same thought, the author might simply drop mention of the car’s color. Other comments might be, for example: “I thought this character grew up in Denver, not LA,” or “How is the detective able to chase the bad guy when she was limping two chapters ago?” It doesn’t matter that the Beta’s confusion on page 63 clears up on page 65; the author may intend this temporary disorientation, or may realize the point needs to be clarified earlier.
Third, at the most substantial level, the Beta may make developmental comments: “The pizza parlor scene doesn’t advance the story”; “The hero’s fascination with eighteenth century French poetry is distracting”; “We don’t need details of every meal the couple eats”; “You refer to the ‘old house’ but I need details to help me see it.” Similar comments might be to eliminate a peripheral character or make that character more distinctive. Also, the Beta might suggest the lake house scene should take place earlier to introduce a character’s love of swimming.
Some Betas may have limited time to help but still possess specific relevant expertise. My first novel Five Ferries followed its hero on a journey through Europe. I realized I needed expert guidance on details of geography, language and local customs from natives of England, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Wales and Ireland and help with Australian and New Zealand slang. For Backstory, I sought advice from a faculty member at Trinity College in Dublin about the layout and traditions of the university, an engineer with a friend who worked a pit crew about sports cars and how to disable them, and an ex-assistant district attorney about penalties and procedures under New York criminal law. For my upcoming novel Pandion, I have sought expert guidance from someone who grew up summering on the coast of Maine to review local descriptions and scenes set on sailboats and from a gemologist on where to stage a jewel heist and how to launder the loot. All my research could not replace this kind of first-hand knowledge.
Finally, real-time reactions are priceless. “I’m really starting to dislike this woman.” “How could he leave her in that house alone?” “I can see what’s coming: these two are destined to be together.” “I hated this guy but now am thinking he’s not really so selfish.” These comments go the heart of how the writing is reaching its audience. The author might have intended this reaction, or might instead see the need to fix something, but in either case these comments reveal the impact of the writing on a thoughtful reader.
Before signing on, the Beta should appreciate his or her review is a critical part of preparing the manuscript. The author has asked for help because he or she values the Beta’s opinion and believes the Beta’s comments will help push the project over the finish line. To help, you will need to devote time, not the countless hours the author has spent but still be more time than it would take to simply read a book of the same the length as the manuscript. If you are willing and able to take on this role, you may provide priceless help in finishing the book. If you want to support the author but doubt your commitment to the process, it might be better to read the book after it is published.
Reprinted from Medium.com at https://medium.com/@fiveferriesnovel/the-better-beta-how-early-readers-can-best-help-aspiring-authors-aa0662647a10