Beta reading and Editing

Nicks delight

The first time I wrote a novel I said, "I don't need an Editor." Now 100 essays later and many research projects behind me and a good few short stories, I feel very different. Regardless of what I write, I always get other people to have a look at my work before I hand it over. I also use Beta readers. Strange as it might sound, I now find myself Beta reading for others and editing books too; mostly sci-fi, fantasy and some horror. I am blind to my own lines and mistakes, but spot mistakes in others. Funny old game....

Anyone else here who Beta read or edit?

JoZeb

My beta readers are heroes, and yeah I beta read back. I don't edit but I do run courses in creative writing where I deliver critique and I also mentor writers. I think for SFF it's even more important to get readers, especially those who like the genre, as worldbuilding etc is so nuanaced and easy to get wrong.

Livvie

Nicks delight wrote: »

The first time I wrote a novel I said, "I don't need an Editor." Now 100 essays later and many research projects behind me and a good few short stories, I feel very different. Regardless of what I write, I always get other people to have a look at my work before I hand it over. I also use Beta readers. Strange as it might sound, I now find myself Beta reading for others and editing books too; mostly sci-fi, fantasy and some horror. I am blind to my own lines and mistakes, but spot mistakes in others. Funny old game....

Anyone else here who Beta read or edit?

I critique books but with an editor's hat on so the writer gets a full edit as well.

My only qualification is that my work has been edited so I've learned from it. I'd like to do it professionally - I love it

JoZeb

Livvie wrote: »

I critique books but with an editor's hat on so the writer gets a full edit as well.

My only qualification is that my work has been edited so I've learned from it. I'd like to do it professionally - I love it

I’d be scared of steering someone wrong and destroying their book!
I critique less now I’m published - people who don’t know me already pay too much heed to me and I’m only one opinion.

Livvie

JoZeb wrote: »

I’d be scared of steering someone wrong and destroying their book!
I critique less now I’m published - people who don’t know me already pay too much heed to me and I’m only one opinion.

I make a point of saying that I'm not professional and that the writer can always get a second opinion from someone who is. And I always explain my reasons for certain suggestions, but tell them to make up their own minds as to whether the ideas appeal to them or not.

Nicks delight

Sorry, I should have responded quicker but Universe decided to throw a mega big titanium wrench in my front tire and stuck a universal screwdriver in my dusty heart. Sure I agree, an opinion is just that and nothing more. Stories are told and they are from the Authors mind straight down onto the bleached paper or a glaring screen frying our faces with frame-rates hurdling at us with epileptic rates, and that is all well-and-good but I still need someone to tell me if my presentation and story logic correspond with the rest of the world and its readers. Sometime I float into a dyslectic acid cloud and my page content is somewhat dis-congruent so I like my stories to go trough the literary autopsy before I set them free.

Generally when I Beta read, focus is mostly on the story rather than gramma dramatics but if i spot something I highlight it. I never state my opinions as a law that should be adhered.