How to write a good/better story + tips

Beta readers: Why you want one, and how to be a good one.

A lot of beginning authors are under the misconception that they don't need a beta reader. They're perfect already.

Breaking news: your not.

Even published authors, and people who have been writing for years use beta readers. Why?

They are freaking great, that's why!!

What is a beta reader?

A beta reader is generally a reader who reads a story before it's published (to the main audience, so wattpad/quotev/....other sites) who's main goal is to give feedback on the story. There is a lot of debate among unpublished authors (anyone publishing online, without a profit), about what a beta reader should do. 

Some say they only say what they think and feel. They do not touch, edit or have any say in the actual work. They are simply there as a pretend audience, who will be really judgmental and tell you what is wrong, right and where holes are.

Others say a beta reader should be an editor, and a really judgemental reader. They can make edits to your chapter, give feedback of what they think and discuss issues. This is the type of beta reader unpublished authors prefer, as it saves them time because they don't have to go back and edit out the shit. It's already (mostly) done.

Where to get a beta reader, and what does your relationship require?

You can find beta readers practically anywhere online. Group chats, and forums are a great way to do this. Throw up a thread, and say what you're looking for, what you're story is about and get people to message you if they're interested (and offer to beta read theirs, or you're a horrible person!!! like me.....)

-Beta readers must be honest. Someone who will be honest with you!

-They must have at least a decent level of grammar, spelling and general writing skills. (There is no point getting someone who who doesn't know they're from their, or whole from hole. Or present and past tense.)

-If they beta read your stuff, be a gentleman and beta read their shit to. Fair is fair.

-You're beta reader should be about the same writing level as you are. If they are really good, your gonna learn a lot, but they will learn nothing. They don't gain anything. Two writers who are at similar levels will both be able to learn together.

-They need to have good discussing and problem solving skills. You'll need to tell them the shit that goes down 5 chapters from now if you have a problem and you don't know how to get to the end. You'll need to talk about a whole heap of spoilers, so don't get someone who will throw a fit.

-Be interested in similar genres. If you only like horror, you wont want to edit some sappy romance novel. This means they should also be able to handle anything you throw at them. If you're writing erotica, and you're gonna have some crazy anal scenes, let them know before hand. Don't randomly throw that shit at them and expect them to handle it. (lol, get it? I made a funny. anal, shit. Ha. I'm a genius.)

-They should be an author, and a reader. Both, so they can handle both sides for you.

-GET A PERSON YOU RESPECT!! If you don't respect them an author, you wont respect what they say.

What a good beta reader should do:

This is what you want from a beta reader, and how you should beta read for others.

-What an author wants for a beta read will vary, so make sure you know what they want, or you want. Before you look at each others work, define what you want. How much editing is required, when will you edit (each chapter, or several chapters at once).

-Identify where weaknesses are. Explain what you think you lack, and ask your fellow beta reader to clearly watch it for you. Do the same, and tell them where they weaknesses are (sometimes what you feel your weakness is, is actually wrong).

-Before sending them each part to beta read (weather chapter, or chapters), it's sometimes best to point out what you want a beta reader to focus on most, that you feel unsure about. This will focus them onto what you want, or they may go off on a tangent about something else.

-Learn to build, not just break. Don't just tell them what is bad, but what is really working. Entourage in the right direction, not just wall off the wrong path.

-Be open to criticism. For both author, and beta reader. If you're told something needs to be fixed, take a step back and look at it from a distance. Don't let pride, or baby feelings for your story get in the way.

-Be critical. Ask questions. The point is to fix your story, so poke a stick at it until you find the loose seams or a hole! Then you'll know what to fix.

-Weed out bad beta readers, or authors you don't mesh with. Sometimes, tension will build between author and BR (beta reader. I just realized i'm getting lazy), and sometimes people wont communicate well with certain people. It's not that they're bad, it may just be they don't suit you. So inform them it's not working out.

-A beta reader has to focus on a lot. So get two or three of them, if thats what it takes! Get ones who are skilled in different areas, and will pick up different things.

What a beta reader -may be- responsible for

This may vary, depending what the author wants. So ask about this, before doing it all. Any point marked with * should always be taken to the author -unless the author has specifically given you the right to, and you should calculate your ability to fix, before taking action-, and not adjusted by the BR. It can be essential, and you may ruin their story.

-Grammar, spelling and punctuation. Basic writing stuff.

-Clearing up any sentences that are confusing, or overworked They should make it easier to read.

-Reorganize the layout of the paragraphs if needed.

-Dialogue. Make sure every character has a different voice, and it's clear who's talking.

-Repetition and monotonous words. This also includes changing boring words into more interesting, loaded words, to keep the story interesting.

-Make sure the emotions are portrayed for the scene, and if not, figure out why it doesn't and inform the author. *

-The story should flow correctly, and not feel like it's jumping all over the place, or seem irrational in decisions made by characters. *

- Make a running list of questions and thoughts. These don't have to be bad things, just what you think while reading. This way the author can see what a readers reaction actually is, rather than what they think it is.

-Story tempo. This is speed of the story, and characters. Are things moving too fast or slow? Are you getting bored, anxious or excited. *

-Be a problem solver. When the author can't figure out something, you need to sit and talk with them. *

-Don't be afraid to reread whole chapters/stories.

Well, thats all i can think about right now.

If you have any other questions about beta readers, feel free to ask.

Or, if you want me to talk about something else, the comment section is always open :)

Thanks for reading <3 Leave a vote if this helped you!