Due to a heavy week at work, Thanksgiving and other obligations, the list is a bit shorter today. Still, there may be something of use to someone. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
That had to be valuable feedback, having someone follow each step in the series. They'd have a perspective that spans the entire story arc, not just a single book.
I plan on coercing...er...enlisting the advice of two non-writers, in addition to one or two CPs, for my MS. Looking forward to cruising these articles. Thanks Jeff
The perspectives are definitely different. And while non-writers may not be able to single out the technical whys and hows, they still know if something works for them or not.
I know non-writers are the best beta readers. I am just in the phase where I can't get those non-writer I know to read English stuff and those who have read the Spanish stuff are my family who said "I love you, you're a genius, you should send this to Hollywood." They can even say it without having read it. I could call that "blind confidence".
Hollywood? I'll have my people call your people. We'll do lunch. :-) Actually, I imagine it must be much more difficult finding English readers in a Spanish speaking nation. Oddly enough, finding real live bodies to beta read epic fantasy isn't all that easy either. Most of my reading buddies prefer romance or non-fiction.
I have two test readers who aren't writers and they've helped a lot with all three of my manuscripts.
ReplyDeleteThat had to be valuable feedback, having someone follow each step in the series. They'd have a perspective that spans the entire story arc, not just a single book.
DeleteI plan on coercing...er...enlisting the advice of two non-writers, in addition to one or two CPs, for my MS. Looking forward to cruising these articles. Thanks Jeff
ReplyDeleteNo "er" needed, Julie. For writers seeking feedback, coercing and enlisting are synonyms. :)
DeleteMy non-writer friends have actually made my work about 10,000 times better. They definitely can give you more of a "target market" take on your work.
ReplyDeleteThe perspectives are definitely different. And while non-writers may not be able to single out the technical whys and hows, they still know if something works for them or not.
DeleteI know non-writers are the best beta readers. I am just in the phase where I can't get those non-writer I know to read English stuff and those who have read the Spanish stuff are my family who said "I love you, you're a genius, you should send this to Hollywood." They can even say it without having read it. I could call that "blind confidence".
ReplyDeleteHollywood? I'll have my people call your people. We'll do lunch. :-) Actually, I imagine it must be much more difficult finding English readers in a Spanish speaking nation. Oddly enough, finding real live bodies to beta read epic fantasy isn't all that easy either. Most of my reading buddies prefer romance or non-fiction.
DeleteWhen I am done with Agnipath, maybe you could lend this dragon those beta readers for a bit? *batting eyelashes*
DeleteOoooo... I love links... this is my kind of post! Thanks for this, Jeff!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't have any non-writer betas who aren't family... I need to get on that. What a great idea.
My pleasure, Morgan. Enjoy the surf! And good luck on the beta reader hunt!
Delete