So how
do you give a good critique? Is it nitpicking, niceties, none-of-the-above?
Here you can discuss your methods of encouraging your fellow writer while also informing them of a potentially disastrous problem in a polite and effective manner. It's also a place where you can ask questions about anything that I haven't covered below, since this is only the outlines of what it is to be a beta-reader. So, to begin, the basic question:
What should I look for when beta-reading?Anything blindingly obvious (severe grammatical/spelling errors, major plot holes, pointlessness, randomness, etc.) should immediately stand out to you as a beta-reader. It is important that you address these, but also that you encourage the
writer to fix and learn to recognize them. As much as you are tempted to whip out the red ink and correct it all for them, your job is not to write his or her story (or, in this case, re-write). Resist the impulse and take the time to digest the problems yourself before trying to correct them. Once you are ready to do this, be as clear as possible to avoid confusion. Try to avoid spending too much time on a simple error unless you feel it is important to know and/or is misused repeatedly. All authors are human and bound to make a few typos here and there, as well as misplace commas/periods on occasion. For the most part, these you just want to point out (here the red ink definitely comes in handy, as it stands out and immediately draws the author's attention to the problem) and make the author aware of the error. If the author contacts you asking you about that particular error, then provide further explanation as necessary. (Even beta-readers can make mistakes, so don't be afraid to ask your beta-reader if you are confused about something he or she has done!)
Have I gotten in over-my-head with beta-reading?There are times (especially in the beginning) where every beta feels a bit overwhelmed by the task set before them. The ideal beta-reader is polite, precise, and personable. It's no small task to achieve, considering all the blind spots that come with beta-reading that cannot be mapped out. There are a number of issues that
can be directly addressed, though certain problems will come up that are going to result in a beta-reader's decision. Determining a Mary Sue, mending a plot hole, and appropriating chapter/story lengths are just a few examples of the aspects of beta-reading that have to be dealt with on a person-to-person basis. The most important thing to do when beta-reading is to always have a positive attitude: never accuse, insult, or dismiss an author's writing, even if you feel that it is unsalveagable. There are certain things that are unsalvageable, but almost all beta-reading cases will have fixable problems. Even mild Mary Sues can be remedied, if taken with care and treated strongly. If you must give tough love to your author about an aspect that is truly and utterly unsalveagable, do it in a positive way. Make sure you explain yourself thoroughly and clearly, but also remembering to put particular emphasis on anything that the author did correctly. There is no instance where an author did something entirely wrong if they are approaching you with a story they want you to beta-read: maybe he or she does have an unsalveageable Mary Sue on their hands, but other elements of the story were done well. Don't make up compliments/"coddle" the author you are beta-reading, but be sure to tell them that you are only trying to help them and remind them that he or she is doing well in this or that area. Every bit of small encouragement you give the author you are beta-reading is good; as long as you are honest and sincere, then the author should understand.
I'm not sure about so-and-so's story; certain errors just go over my head and I'm having trouble offering advice. Should I drop from beta-reading it?Here's a situation where your best response is to find a second opinion. If you ever feel like you can't figure something out and/or aren't sure about what to do, then you can always approach another beta reader and ask if they'd be willing to give an opinion on the matter. If they refuse, then you've still lost nothing and can always ask a different beta-reader for their input. Someone can help, and from them, you can find out just how deep the problem is and if you're able to deal with it. Most problems are fixable. Someone should be able to come up with a solution to said-problem.
I have real life/online issues that are getting in the way of my beta-reading. I just can't keep up with the author I'm beta-reading anymore. What should I do?If at all possible, try to communicate this to the author you are beta-reading and tell them that you won't be able to beta frequently and it will probably be on an irregular basis. If the author is OK with this, then you can continue your beta-reading at your own pace. If it becomes clear (or is clear from the start) that beta-reading is just not something you can manage anymore, try and negotiate a trade with another beta-reader. Tell the author you are beta-reading that you can no longer beta for them but would like to help them find another beta-reader (or at the very least, that you cannot beta and they will need to find a new beta-reader). You never want to just abandon your author without a trace; it not only leaves them feeling bad that you cannot beta-read for them, but it also decreases your credibility as an author and beta-reader.
I'm pretty good at correcting spelling, but I'm not very good at correcting grammatical errors. Can I still be a beta-reader?Absolutely. Just make this clear to the author you are interested in beta-reading that you probably won't be able to help them in that particular area. Having a second beta-reader that is familiar with any of your beta-reading "blindspots" can be a great way to remedy this problem. Plus, as mentioned above, it never hurts to have another opinion.
So, how can I be a good beta-reader?This is an excellent question that has many answers. The best I can offer you as a prospective or veteran beta-reader is this:
- Be familiar with what you are beta-reading. I cannot emphasize this one enough. Do not offer to beta-read an area that you yourself struggle in. Do not take up projects that delve into areas that you are unfamiliar with (genres, types of poetry, etc. etc.) You most likely cannot help the author fix a problem that you yourself do not understand well.
- Be thorough. Though it can be tempting at times to short an area that needs beta-reading and move on, do your best to give the author the most accurate and helpful beta-read you possibly can.
- Be polite. I stress this yet again as there are some instances where you may get frustrated, but the most important thing is to always remain polite and professional when dealing with the author you are beta-reading for.
- Be available. If you cannot commit to beta-reading at the time, don't post in the board saying that you can. Wait until you're available and able to dedicate your best effort to the author's story, and then put yourself up as a waiting beta-reader.
- Be open-minded. Even beta-readers make mistakes. If the author you are beta-reading for is convinced that you have made some mistake or another, re-examine your work and, if you still cannot understand their perspective, ask for another to look over whatever it is the author is uncertain about and use their input as well as your own to make a decision.
- Be positive! This is easily the most important thing--no matter what happens, you must keep in mind that you are trying to help the author, not hurt them. If it becomes too stressful/time-consuming, there are easy ways to stop beta-reading. And when you must be critical, be encouraging as well-- start out by pointing out the good and then working on explaining which areas need work.
How should I beta-read?However you feel you can best get the point across. I, personally, am fond of the red ink for most issues, or quoting sections of the story that seem out-of-place/oddly-worded/etc. and explaining the problem from there. Directing an author to a
Writer's Workshop can be very helpful as well, as they explain many different aspects of grammar that are often confused/misused. Generally, though, every beta-reader works differently; maintaining a helpful attitude is the best universal advice I can give.
