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Beta read vs critique. A thread.
This week I've beta read 2 books by established writers and 1 ms by a new writer.
I got thinking about the time someone asked me for a sample edit (which I did). They then asked for an ms critique. But a few days later, cancelled because 1/7
This week I've beta read 2 books by established writers and 1 ms by a new writer.
I got thinking about the time someone asked me for a sample edit (which I did). They then asked for an ms critique. But a few days later, cancelled because 1/7
they didn't want to pay for 'a very expensive beta read'. I didn't argue at the time.
But there is a difference between a beta read and an ms critique.
When I beta read for a writer who knows what they're doing, my notes tend to be short - 'needs more tension here' or 2/7
But there is a difference between a beta read and an ms critique.
When I beta read for a writer who knows what they're doing, my notes tend to be short - 'needs more tension here' or 2/7
'this subplot doesn't tie in', 'the ending doesn't work'. I'm telling them what's wrong, but I can trust that they will know how to fix it.
[Similarly, that's the sort of thing I get. I have rewritten an entire 20K ending based on 'this ending doesn't work'.] 3/7
[Similarly, that's the sort of thing I get. I have rewritten an entire 20K ending based on 'this ending doesn't work'.] 3/7
When I do an ms critique, I have to unpick WHY things don't work (sometimes it's easy to work out, because it's a beginner mistake I've seen before, sometimes it's not). I have to explain my observations. I have to suggest ways they could fix it.
4/7
4/7
My notes on manuscript critiques for newer writers run to several pages because 'this doesn't work' is a useless note to give someone who doesn't know what to do to fix it.
You need notes that are specific to that book and where the author is in their journey.
5/7
You need notes that are specific to that book and where the author is in their journey.
5/7
If their 100K book only has 70K of story in it, you need to tell them which bits to cut (and maybe explain story structure).
Reading a book that needs a lot of work is not fun. It's time consuming and it's hard work. (And I should be spending that time writing!) 6/7
Reading a book that needs a lot of work is not fun. It's time consuming and it's hard work. (And I should be spending that time writing!) 6/7
So yeah. A manuscript critique is different to a beta read. One is work. The other is fun.
Which is why we charge for the one that is hard work.
[and are careful about whom we extend the beta reading offers to!]
/end
Which is why we charge for the one that is hard work.
[and are careful about whom we extend the beta reading offers to!]
/end
