{"id":350,"date":"2014-04-07T16:25:19","date_gmt":"2014-04-07T21:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ellismorning.com\/blog\/?p=350"},"modified":"2014-04-07T16:27:15","modified_gmt":"2014-04-07T21:27:15","slug":"be-a-beta-star-part-i-giving-great-feedback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ellismorning.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/be-a-beta-star-part-i-giving-great-feedback\/","title":{"rendered":"Be A Beta-Star, Part I: Giving Great Feedback"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"stars\"<\/a>(Image credit: texturezoom.com<\/a>)<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n

Beta-reading not only provides an opportunity to help others, but also exercises your creative muscle, which aids you in your own writing.\u00a0 It’s a true honor and privilege whenever you’re asked to be a beta-reader.\u00a0 It’s even better to be a trusted<\/em> beta-reader, someone whose opinion others repeatedly rely on when developing their ideas.\u00a0 Here are some tips for giving the best feedback possible:<\/p>\n

Be Honest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This<\/em>, first and foremost.\u00a0 Don’t have the time to devote to a proper critique?\u00a0 The story isn’t your cup of tea, or the genre isn’t one you’re familiar with?\u00a0 Best to be upfront about it, rather than half-assing things and wasting everyone’s time.\u00a0 Being honest also means telling the writer about your every<\/em> impression, not just what you liked.\u00a0 Critique that avoids problems doesn’t help your writer improve.<\/p>\n

Be Nice.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, your main goal should be honesty, but your delivery matters too.\u00a0 There’s no need to be an asshole about it- you’re trying to help this person, not tear them down.\u00a0 Always phrase things so your critique is clearly about the work<\/em>, not the writer<\/em>.\u00a0 The writer will be more open to phrasing like “I think X could be improved if you [suggestion]” rather than “You suck at X.\u00a0 Change it.”\u00a0 Remember what it’s like when you’re the writer looking for critique, how nerve-wracking<\/a> it can be.\u00a0 A writer must often overcome immense anxiety to even ask<\/em> for your help.\u00a0 Don’t make them sorry they did.<\/p>\n

Be On-Target.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the writer doesn’t provide specific things they want feedback on, ask for some.\u00a0 Are they worried about pacing, spelling\/grammar, cohesion?\u00a0 Should you treat this as a first draft (and be more forgiving as a whole), or a polished final draft?\u00a0 This will help both of you make the most of your time.<\/p>\n

Be Thorough.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you ever attended a writer’s group where everyone is expected to solicit and receive feedback?\u00a0 For the most part they’re wonderfully helpful, but inevitably, there are one or two readers who hand back every sample with no notes, saying only, “It’s good!”\u00a0 My paranoid brain always assumes they either (a) didn’t care for the genre\/story (absolutely their prerogative, but at least tell me as much); or (b) thought it was an unmitigated trainwreck, and are trying to avoid saying so.<\/p>\n

Don’t be one of these people.\u00a0 Have an opinion!\u00a0 To develop one:<\/p>\n