Have you finished your manuscript (MS) and want a second opinion before you send it out to the editors? Well then I’d like to introduce you to Beta-Reading.
Beta-reading is when you get someone to read your MS and they are supposed to offer you a detailed critic on what they thought of your story. They should tell you things like what they liked/didn’t like, give you impressions on your characters, etc.
Beta-reading can be a huge asset and can help you to improve your story beyond what you thought you can do alone.
Though, be warned… as the author you HAVE to go into it with an open mind. Meaning not all readers are going to tell you what you want to hear. Some people may think your work is complete genius where others… well they’ll be on the opposite end of the scale. While you’ll hear a bunch of different feedback try to take it with a grain of salt. Just because one person says it, doesn’t mean it’s gospel or that you MUST believe it, however you should consider it. Read over their points and estabilsh whether you feel it’s something you truly want to fix. At the end of the day it is your story and it’s up to you to decide what you want to do with it.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/50920-beta-reader-group
^This is a great group that has so many beta’s just waiting to read your latest work and help you polish it up so it’s exactly what you want.
I wish you the best of luck with your book!
Cheers,
Tianna
Tianna's Blog of Books & Music 