Rough draft of story example4/9/2024 ![]() ![]() Some like to receive manuscripts in .docx format as it’s easy to convert and read on a Kindle. ![]() I offer a PDF file first, but some prefer a printed copy and others mobi. When you ask someone to beta read, make it easy for the author by asking what format he/she would like to receive the manuscript in. If you make the suggested change, let them know. A beta reader will put a lot of effort into reading your story and seeing that their comments resulted in changes can be very satisfying. The first time a beta reader gives you negative feedback, thank them. Once you’ve put a lot of time into finding helpful beta readers, you want to keep them for your next book. It’s ok if your readers notice errors and point them out, but what you want at this stage is input on your story, not on the grammar or typos. Avoid asking for copy editing or proofreading from beta readers.The author had forgotten where the dog was. I read a story where a dog was left at home in one scene, and in the next scene, the dog was still with the owner. Did you notice any story inconsistencies? To help your beta reader, give them an example of what you mean.If all your beta readers put the book down at the same passage, there may be a problem with the story. Get your beta readers to mark this each time, even it was to have dinner, go to work, etc. Mark each passage where you stopped reading.This helps to determine if you’ve done enough to too much foreshadowing. Note anytime you suspect a character of being the villain or know the ending.Did you lose track of who was speaking? I like to write with minimal dialogue tags, so this is critical.Did you get confused on who a character was? Maybe you need more clues or dialogue tags.This is an easy way to know that the writing is boring. I ask beta readers to do or answer the following: This will help your reader know what you want from them. To make it easy for your beta readers to know what you want, provide a list of specific questions or instructions. Feedback on what’s not working is the only way for you to tell a better story. Make sure your readers understand you won’t be hurt or offended by negative feedback. Questions like “What if I don’t like the story?” or “How will I tell you if I find something I don’t like?” may swirl around their heads while they’re thinking of a way to say no. People who care about you usually don’t want to hurt your feelings and may be worried about beta reading. I couldn’t write the way I do without these precious people.Ĭonvincing friends to give you honest feedback is difficult. I try to open with a hook for each scene.Īs the years have gone by, I’ve had many beta readers and received a lot of valuable advice, comments, and questions. ![]() Now, before I share my story with anyone, I check the beginning of each scene and choose the opening carefully. This is when I discovered the term in medias res - start in the middle of the action. His question made me do a full rewrite of every scene, looking at the opening. “Do you know you start every scene in a doorway?” Once he finished, he gave me one of the most useful pieces of advice that I still use today. I couldn’t be in the same room with him as he read. So I took a deep breath and hit the print button. He understood how important my story was to me. My lucky husband got to be my first beta reader. Exhilarated because I’d accomplished my dream of writing a novel, and terrified because I now had to share it with someone. When I finished the first draft of my first novel, Descent, I was exhilarated and terrified.
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