tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post562637431369088079..comments2024-03-08T09:28:10.145-05:00Comments on The Faux Fountain Pen: Don't Look at My Book!Sarah Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09481750127533816819noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-52978701704990833612015-07-20T09:53:10.058-04:002015-07-20T09:53:10.058-04:00I can totally relate to this. I'm a book hoard...I can totally relate to this. I'm a book hoarder too! I've gotten some better but it's still really hard to have others read my writing, I get so paranoid. Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-48287554227255154392015-07-20T04:21:14.459-04:002015-07-20T04:21:14.459-04:00Sorry you've had a bad experience with beta re...Sorry you've had a bad experience with beta readers, I hope you find some good ones because I've found the experience to be invaluable in terms of knowing what needs fixed. I think you should definitely do that before querying, even if you think you know what needs changed. You don't know what other people see. Also, a good handful of readers rather than just one is good. If a few of them are saying the same thing on a certain issue, then it would probably be something you should consider. I'd be open to having a look at it in a few weeks - shoot me a line.Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-26785539959495410742015-07-19T08:58:01.806-04:002015-07-19T08:58:01.806-04:00I've been both on the receiving and the giving...I've been both on the receiving and the giving end when it comes to beta reading. I did it recently for a FB friend and I almost missed the deadline that I gave. Fortunately for me, in addition to being a fast reader, my comprehension skills are pretty good, so I was able to get the job done for him (eventually posted a review for him and he used a snippet for pimping his latest).<br /><br />I do agree that having beta readers is a good thing. With my latest, even though I had someone else read part of it (they are skittish about violence, which is why half was read) I found someone else who offered to read it, and she was good enough to give me a few suggestions that I was able to incorporate.<br /><br /><a href="http://gbmjrflashy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Father Nature's Corner</a>G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-76943687602138527412015-07-18T18:00:38.680-04:002015-07-18T18:00:38.680-04:00Oh, I know that feeling. Family members can be sup...Oh, I know that feeling. Family members can be supportive but if they don't write, they might not understand the agony of waiting for feedback - any kind of feedback. Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-24349297457848470342015-07-17T18:18:49.722-04:002015-07-17T18:18:49.722-04:00The first time I gave a family member a first draf...The first time I gave a family member a first draft and asked her to read it, I dropped it off at her home in a brown envelope. Weeks later the envelope was in the same place I put it down. Deciding she was too busy to read it, I picked it up and took it home. She told me she wanted to read it but didn't have time. Fast forward three years. "I did read it. But it was so boring I didn't know what to say." I told her it would have been better to tell me that instead of making me think she didn't care enough to read it. So maybe they did read it but are afraid to tell you what they thought??? By the way, mine was boring :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-3067237253257909672015-07-17T15:48:59.760-04:002015-07-17T15:48:59.760-04:00I can't find ANYONE to help with my poetry, so...I can't find ANYONE to help with my poetry, so I understand. I can't even find people who want to participate in my giveaway...<br />Not an empty offer: If you decide you need more readers, you can contact me with it. I only write short fiction and poetry but read novels like an obsessive fiend.Jennifer Ruth Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699005759754946494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-55008884825451851382015-07-17T14:47:01.433-04:002015-07-17T14:47:01.433-04:00What is your book about? I proof read for a few pe...What is your book about? I proof read for a few people but only the kind of books I am interesting in reading in the first place. Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087140585742801854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-55775934734217999092015-07-17T11:50:22.000-04:002015-07-17T11:50:22.000-04:00I had beta readers fall through on me too for Snap...I had beta readers fall through on me too for Snapshots. 5 people offered and one got back to me. It was so frustrating and disappointing. It's tricking finding people sometimes.<br /><br />Have you thought about sending the draft out with a note talking about the things you want to change? That way they know about it and can consider it when they reach the parts. I just sent out a WIP that had a few notes left in to ask their opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203719610395611719.post-30054655144605228322015-07-17T10:31:06.202-04:002015-07-17T10:31:06.202-04:00I was having some issues with my current WIP, and ...I was having some issues with my current WIP, and even though it's the dreaded first draft and there's a myriad of issues to be fixed, I eventually caved and asked one of my betas to take a look at it because I really just needed some feedback. Which he provided, and now as an added bonus whenever I have something I need/want to bounce off someone (hey, would be it weird and/or out of character if so-and-so did this?), I don't have to speak in abstracts and generalities.<br /><br />It is hard to find trusted betas. It's a leap of faith, and doesn't always pay off. It took me a while—and there were a lot that didn't pan out—but I found a couple.that are keepers.<br /><br />(But if you decide you do want someone new to look at it (and you can wait until August), I'd be happy to read whatever you'd care to send. I always respond because I know how crappy it is when your betas don't.)M.J. Fifieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15626475963328519693noreply@blogger.com