Need a Critic, or maybe a writing buddy. (Possibly Offensive Subject)

KylaRoxYourSox · Jun 18, 2012

I'm looking for a Beta-Reader & have gotten no help. I have not gotten very far (I've only written the prologue) but I am dedicated to finishing it. Because it's just started, it will not be a time suck, probably only coming to you a few chapters a day or every other day. The reason why I want a Beta-Reader so early in the game is to review my plot, (I don't want to write entire chapters that are no good to the plot), help with ideas, character development, what needs more detail, what doesn't make sense, etc. Also some slight proof-reading. Another reason I haven't gotten any help is because of the books plot. It has some frequent marijuana smoking and about five or six main characters who are under the impression that since it is not a hard drug, that they will be okay. There's also some alcohol, and a one-time use of airduster. There is slight romance between two of the characters, but zilch erotica or anything of that nature. If you know anything about how the jail procedures work, that would be especially helpful. Another touchy subject of the book is what will most likely be the end. Some of the characters will not have such a good end, it might be a little depressing, although a few characters will kick the drug habit and be okay. This isn't all about smoking some reefer and acting dumb and it is not a party book, its kind of a depressing lesson. Please just give it a chance cause it's mainly an idea right now and some things will probably change. Oh, and the book will more than likely be in the point-of-views of two different characters. PM me if you think you night be interested, it would definitely never be a dull project. Thanks

Okay, what I really need is a critic/ cheerleader, I realize that now, or like a writing buddy..someone else to work on stories together and ask questions to who likes the idea mentioned above.

Sol Quince · Jun 18, 2012

It is something to want a beta reader so early. I will be jelly if you get one..haha I'm 70k words in my novel and no beta reader yet.. anyways how long do you plan on this story being? Words, chapters ?

KylaRoxYourSox · Jun 18, 2012

Average length, enough to include everything I want, it's not a short story though. I am willing to swap if you still need a beta reader for your story, I have plenty of time to return the favor.

Literateparakeet · Jun 19, 2012

Kyla,

What you need is a crit partner or writing partner (same thing).

This is not just semantics. Using the proper term will be a help in finding what--er--whom you seek. You see, a Beta reader is what you want when your novel is finished and polished the best that you can get it. It is a big commitment for the Beta reader because you are asking them to read a whole book and comment.

A crit partner is a different sort of commitment. You can exchange chapters and see if you are a good fit, encourage each other along the way etc.

You have a good start here because you explained what your book is going to be about. Now, my suggestion would be to change your thread title...potential crit partners might miss your thread otherwise. AND read the other threads in this forum from people looking for crit partners.

Also you might want to add what kind of thing you are willing to read in return. Some people only want to read in their genre, and others say, "I'll read anything, but ______".

Finally, stick around, post start getting acquainted with the people on this wonderful website, and when you reach 50 posts, you can share your work in SYW, and get crits that way as well.

Good luck on your writing.

kkbe · Jun 19, 2012

I think literateparakeet's suggestion to find a writing buddy is a good one, as it sounds like you're looking for somebody with whom you can enchange ideas, etc. As soon as you reach that magic fiftieth posting, you can put a sample of your story up on SYW and get some really good feedback there, too.

When you are finally ready to post some of your stuff on SYW, just mention 'Mature Subject Matter' or something similar in the title, so as not to offend potential critters. Having said that, I had to laugh because what you're describing sounds pretty mild. . .I'm thinking of my latest, now. . .hoo doggie.

Good luck to you! kkbe

Unimportant · Jun 19, 2012

KylaRoxYourSox said:
Because it's just started, it will not be a time suck, probably only coming to you a few chapters a day or every other day.

Kyla, I'm not sure you realise how much of a time suck it is. To critique a chapter most beta readers, like myself, will read it, think about it, re-read it, go through line by line and point out any awkward phrases or clumsy descriptions or confusing sections, make suggestions about possible changes to plot points or characterisation, and then write anywhere from a few paragraphs to a few pages describing what the reader got out of the chapter, what its strengths and weaknesses were, and any suggestions the reader might have for changing the style or structure of the chapter.

I recently critiqued a chapter for a fellow AW member. It took me about five hours.

If you're asking someone to commit several hours every day to you -- that is a big ask.

KylaRoxYourSox said:
The reason why I want a Beta-Reader so early in the game is to review my plot, (I don't want to write entire chapters that are no good to the plot)...

Have you considered writing an outline or synopsis? That way you'd have your whole novel mapped out, and you'd know what each scene was means to accomplish and why it was necessary, so you wouldn't be writing unnecessary chapters.

KylaRoxYourSox · Jun 19, 2012

Unimportant said:
If you're asking someone to commit several hours every day to you -- that is a big ask.

I'm not asking someone to commit several hours to me a day, I said about two chapters would come to them every other day or possibly everyday, but I never said they had to be done with it in a day..just wanted to clear that up..it's impossible to add every single little detail in a thread. :Shrug:

KylaRoxYourSox · Jun 19, 2012

Thank-you so much for your help!

)

mccardey · Jun 19, 2012

KylaRoxYourSox said:
I'm not asking someone to commit several hours to me a day, I said about two chapters would come to them every other day or possibly everyday, but I never said they had to be done with it in a day..just wanted to clear that up..it's impossible to add every single little detail in a thread.

I think Unimportant's main point was that beta-reading will always be a time suck (not that there's anything wrong with that) and that what you're after is a different animal altogether.

Good luck - I'm sure I've seen people here asking for writing partners and buddies, so you should be fine.

Unimportant · Jun 20, 2012

KylaRoxYourSox said:
I'm not asking someone to commit several hours to me a day, I said about two chapters would come to them every other day or possibly everyday, but I never said they had to be done with it in a day..just wanted to clear that up..it's impossible to add every single little detail in a thread.

Sure, but if you figure readers will spend anywhere from 2 to 5 hours per chapter, and a full-length book is usually 20+ chapters, a beta reader will need to devote 40 to 100 hours of their time to critiquing your book. That is a time sink, no matter how long they take to do it.

I'm not saying it's wrong for someone to do this, just that it behooves the author to be aware of what they're asking. Saying "This will not be a time suck" kind of implies that you're saying "Well, MY time is valuable, but it's not important if YOU spend a hundred hours helping me because YOUR time is worthless."

Maryn · Jun 20, 2012

Unimportant said:
Sure, but if you figure readers will spend anywhere from 2 to 5 hours per chapter, and a full-length book is usually 20+ chapters, a beta reader will need to devote 40 to 100 hours of their time to critiquing your book. That is a time sink, no matter how long they take to do it.

I'm not saying it's wrong for someone to do this, just that it behooves the author to be aware of what they're asking. Saying "This will not be a time suck" kind of implies that you're saying "Well, MY time is valuable, but it's not important if YOU spend a hundred hours helping me because YOUR time is worthless."

Amen.

Maryn, done here

KylaRoxYourSox · Jun 21, 2012

Unimportant said:
Sure, but if you figure readers will spend anywhere from 2 to 5 hours per chapter, and a full-length book is usually 20+ chapters, a beta reader will need to devote 40 to 100 hours of their time to critiquing your book. That is a time sink, no matter how long they take to do it.

I'm not saying it's wrong for someone to do this, just that it behooves the author to be aware of what they're asking. Saying "This will not be a time suck" kind of implies that you're saying "Well, MY time is valuable, but it's not important if YOU spend a hundred hours helping me because YOUR time is worthless."

I do not figure that it will take 2 to 5 hours and everyone's time is valuable which is why I am offering to swap >.<

Unimportant · Jun 21, 2012

KylaRoxYourSox said:
I do not figure that it will take 2 to 5 hours

Interesting! I'd be keen to learn how much variability there is when it comes to time spent beta-reading/critting, so I've started a new thread.

Maryn · Jun 21, 2012

Oh, is that what prompted it? I already replied before I saw this.

My answer notes the distinction between what I mean by beta reading and what the other writer so often means.

Maryn, winding down, as it's getting late

Need a Critic, or maybe a writing buddy. (Possibly Offensive Subject)

KylaRoxYourSox

Sink or Swim? How about float...

Sol Quince

Don't mind me.

KylaRoxYourSox

Sink or Swim? How about float...

Literateparakeet

Nerdy Budgie

kkbe

Huh.

Unimportant

doggone

KylaRoxYourSox

Sink or Swim? How about float...

KylaRoxYourSox

Sink or Swim? How about float...

mccardey

Unimportant

doggone

Maryn

I Tried

KylaRoxYourSox

Sink or Swim? How about float...

Unimportant

doggone

Maryn

I Tried