{"id":352,"date":"2014-04-14T16:55:25","date_gmt":"2014-04-14T21:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ellismorning.com\/blog\/?p=352"},"modified":"2014-04-14T16:56:59","modified_gmt":"2014-04-14T21:56:59","slug":"be-a-beta-star-part-ii-getting-great-feedback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ellismorning.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/be-a-beta-star-part-ii-getting-great-feedback\/","title":{"rendered":"Be A Beta-Star, Part II: Getting Great Feedback"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"happygilmore\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Last week, I wrote about giving the best feedback possible<\/a>.\u00a0 Now it’s time to discuss receiving great feedback.\u00a0 No, this isn’t about everyone kissing your butt!\u00a0 It’s about putting aside your ego and lovingly beating the crap out of your work until it’s better than you ever imagined.<\/p>\n

Some of this advice complements ideas from the last post, but as a writer soliciting feedback, your job is more involved.\u00a0 Not only do you have to gather it, you also have to apply<\/em> it to the greatest possible effect.\u00a0 You may then need to change how or from whom you solicit critique from in the future-<\/p>\n

-but for now, let’s start at the beginning.\u00a0 You have a piece or a chapter done, and you want more eyes on it.\u00a0 Good!\u00a0 It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been writing, you always benefit from ensuring there’s nothing lurking in your blind spot that unravels the plot or otherwise turns off potential readers.\u00a0 What now?<\/p>\n

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

Remember that scene in Happy Gilmore<\/em> when Happy enters a batting cage to face an onslaught of mechanical fastballs?\u00a0 When you bare your soul and ask others to critique your work, you must be every bit as fearless and immune to what’s thrown at you. (At the same time, there\u2019s no shame in wearing a helmet.)<\/p>\n

Always, remember, though: unlike baseball, the people slinging those fastballs are on your side<\/em>.<\/p>\n

When you have food caught between your teeth, are you upset or defensive with anyone who politely warns you about it?\u00a0 Do you take it as an affront?\u00a0 Hopefully not.\u00a0 In fact, you’re more likely to be upset if they keep quiet, and you wind up flashing a goofy spinach-riddled grin at your crush.\u00a0 That’s what I’m talking about with critique.\u00a0 What may feel<\/em> like an attack is really just someone trying to help you put your best foot forward.<\/p>\n

It’s tough to convince your ego of this sometimes.\u00a0 Ever write something you thought was killer, only to have it fall flat with everyone who looked at it?\u00a0 Even seasoned writers sometimes feel like they\u2019ve endured a beating after a tough critique session.<\/p>\n

Still- better you identify and fix problems now<\/em>, before your crush happens past.<\/p>\n

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

It’s time to find beta-readers.\u00a0 Friends and family are a good start, but you also need opinions from those who aren’t super-close to you, those who won’t be tempted to tell you everything smells like roses.\u00a0 Look for seasoned beta-readers at local writers’ groups and on social networks.\u00a0 If you’re joining a group cold, don’t shove your work under their noses right away.\u00a0 Spend a few sessions providing feedback for the other members, until you have a better feel for whether they understand your genre and provide strong advice.<\/p>\n

When you do ask for feedback, explicitly invite the group’s honesty.\u00a0 Let them know you can take constructive criticism (and mean it).<\/p>\n

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

To avoid the dreaded “It was good” review, give your beta-readers specific things to watch out for.\u00a0 Was a certain scene transition effective?\u00a0 What are their impressions of the main character?\u00a0 If nothing else, ask the readers to identify three things they liked and three things they thought could use improvement.\u00a0 Also state whether you want people to point out typos and grammatical flaws, or if you want them to put that aside and focus more on the plot, characters, etc.<\/p>\n

Be open to discussion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ask if you can delve into your beta-readers’ comments.\u00a0 Their notes should be the starting point for a civil discussion where you invite clarification and flesh out ideas for improvement.<\/p>\n

This isn’t a doctoral dissertation.\u00a0 You’re NOT<\/strong> defending your work from the criticism it received.\u00a0 By all means explain what you were trying to do in a certain paragraph\/line, but don’t assume every misunderstanding is the reader’s<\/em> fault.<\/p>\n

Brainstorm together to make the suggested changes as awesome as possible.\u00a0 You can forge a lot of great ideas and friendships this way.\u00a0 A fun, spirited discussion not only inspires you, but also makes your beta-readers more eager to help you in the future.<\/p>\n

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

All this said, you shouldn’t try to incorporate every single suggestion your beta-readers give you. We all have pet peeves that other people completely don’t care about, and you’ll never satisfy everyone.\u00a0 Place more weight on feedback that more than one person has made.<\/p>\n

If one person says a certain line confuses them, but it doesn’t bother anyone else, and you don’t feel it needs to be changed, don’t change it.\u00a0 However, if nearly everyone says a certain part runs on too long, it runs on too long!<\/em><\/p>\n

As you work with different beta-readers, you’ll find there are some people who “get you” and provide tons of great ideas.\u00a0 Stick with those who really challenge and inspire you, and place more weight on their opinions.\u00a0 They’re more representative of the people who’ll ultimately form your audience.<\/p>\n

Do you have any tricks for getting the best feedback and making the most of it?\u00a0 Feel free to comment and let me know!<\/strong><\/p>\n


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