Beta Readers: Why They are Vital to Your Novel

Hello! This post is the first guest post on Blots & Plots, brought to you by my friend, Ashley R. Carlson. She was kind enough to interview me on her blog in July, and now I'm happy to have her here. So without further adieu… 

Ask any new writer or non-writer whether writing a book is something completed on one’s own, and you’ll most likely get this response: “no duh.” (Most likely accompanied by an irritated eyebrow-raise, sarcastic snicker, and/or any other facial expressions that fall along the lines of “might be the dumbest question I’ve heard all week.”)

Any seasoned writer on Earth would tell you the exact opposite—and I’m defining the term loosely; as in, anyone who has written something and realized they had no flippin’ clue whether it was Pulitzer Prize-winning material or akin to the dog turd sitting in their backyard.

That’s why beta readers are so important—nay, vital—to producing a successful, money-making book.  

Beta readers are individuals who agree to read your book before it’s ready for publication (or submission to agents/publishers if you are pursuing a traditional publishing contract). They may offer insight into plot holes/confusing scenes, opinions about character development, messy wording, and a plethora of other issues your manuscript probably contains in its current state. But don’t be discouraged—the first draft or two of any book is going to be riddled with those issues; that is why you are addressing them.

For this post I’m going to use my personal experiences writing “The Charismatics” (my debut fantasy novel, releasing December 13, 2014!) to discuss “all things beta”:

ROUND ONE OF BETAS

While I completed my first and second drafts, I comprised a list of friends met on Twitter and www.cpseek.com who stated they would like to beta read when it was completed. I chose only writer friends, for a number of reasons: they understand the multi-faceted pieces of building a cohesive plotline, they are usually avid readers, and they know what it’s like to receive edits. These will mostly likely be the people who give honest feedback while still keeping your fragile writer’s psyche in mind.

ROUND TWO OF BETAS

After receiving suggestions and criticisms from my first round of betas, I printed out their thoughts (easier to refer to in hard copy) and went through fixing/adjusting any issues that were reported—namely, areas that were confusing (my book is in an alternate universe, and needed a lot of detailed world-building to make better sense), and adding in some more character development. Then I posted on Facebook to my mostly “non-writer” friends and sent out my third draft to those interested.

ROUND THREE OF BETAS

Thoughts from Facebook friends were taken into account and utilized for my fourth draft; mostly continued clarification about the fantasy world and character development (my readers wanted to know more about some secondary characters). Then it was sent to my editor for copy-editing and final thoughts.

Tips For Beta Reader Success:

-I found that a great way to get tailored feedback was by providing a list of questions for my beta readers to keep in mind. Examples: Are the characters believable/likeable? What parts were boring/exciting? What confused you? What scenes, if any, did you find emotionally touching?

-If you are hiring an editor for your self-published book (which you should), then tell your beta readers they don’t need to worry about grammatical errors. Beta readers may be deterred if they feel like they need to “edit” your manuscript; just tell them to read it and enjoy!

-I would suggest noting a time limit; this gives people incentive to read. Make sure it is one that is feasible (not READ THIS IN 24 HOURS GO) but also not too abstract. I’d recommend a month or two, but that depends a lot on your own time table.

-Send your work in PDF format. This enables beta readers to see it on any device that has Adobe Reader, and increases your chances of feedback tremendously (at least, it did for me).

-Keep in mind that criticism is normal, and helpful. I know it can feel like someone is attacking your heart, your soul, but keep an open mind. It’s one person’s opinion; not everyone’s—and when there’s a consensus regarding something in your manuscript, it’s probably worth looking into and revising.

-And finally, remember: people are extremely busy, and are doing you a favor by taking time to read your work. Don’t be offended if people don’t respond, and be extremely grateful when they do. Reciprocate in any way you can, whether that be beta reading their own work, including them in your Acknowledgements page when the book is finished, or just a personalized email. Be gracious and grateful, and you’ll have a beta reader for life (and hopefully a reviewer on Amazon/Goodreads too!).

Ashley is a fantasy author, freelance editor, and editor/blog writer for Midnight Publishing. Ashley will be publishing her debut steampunk-fantasy novel, entitled “The Charismatics,” on December 13, 2014. This is her birthday, and it will be epic. Ashley grew up and currently lives in Scottsdale, and is the proud mother of three animals-a neurotic German shepherd that follows Ashley everywhere she goes, a serene mutt from Mexico, and a cat that gives new meaning to the word "bitchy." Ashley enjoys Yelping for local restaurants, fostering kittens from nearby shelters, and watching the Real Housewives of ... anywhere.

Read the first chapter of “The Charismatics” here, on Wattpad, and find her dilly-dallying at her blog and on Twitter@AshleyRCarlson1.

What is Self-Publishing, anyway?

Good question, dear reader. Friends and family, strangers and loved ones, I'm self-publishing my book. And I feel like we need to clear up a few things before that happens. First of all, what is self-publishing, anyway? 

I like to think of it as DIY publishing. It's publishing without the whole shebang of an editor and a house. Self-publishing requires writers to become a full-fledged publishing machine: marketer, editor and of course, publisher. The more you work, the more you make. Theoretically, of course.

To help you form a clearer picture in your mind, allow me to explain what self-publishing is not:

Self-Publishing is Not a Last Resort

This little rumor is a big fat lie, folks. With the rise of e-books, self-publishing is booming right now. Not only can you publish in a digital format, but you can also make print-on-demand copies through hosts like Lulu or CreateSpace. And now, there's a crazy phenomenon taking place. 

Writers are choosing to self-publish, before they even query literary agents, actively opting to go it alone. Why is this a big deal? Because now, writers can publish their books the minute, nay, the second they are ready. Writers don't have to wait around for months to see if they get an agent, then the extra years it could take to find a publisher. You can publish right now. Exciting, right?

Self-Publishing is Not a Garbage Heap

Somewhere along the way, there's been a misunderstanding that self-publishers are the writers who "couldn't get published" and therefore, their work is trash. I have a few things to say to this. First of all, there are a million reasons that books aren't chosen for publication, and a book being "bad" is only one of them. Maybe the house is already publishing a book just like yours. Maybe they're not looking for anything in your genre right now.

The possibilities are endless and often tedious. Secondly, bad writing exists. However, it exists in both the traditional sphere as well as self-publishing. It is not a circumstance reserved for the DIY route. Need proof? Okay, here are some A+ self-publishers: Hugh Howey, Ksenia Anske, Ania Ahlborn and Colleen Hoover. Read their stories. I dare ya.

Self-Publishing is Not a One-Man Show

I'm contradicting myself a bit, aren't I? Though it's true that self-published writers need to work ten jobs at once, they also need to reach out to people who can help get the work done. The most crucial role to seek out is a freelance editor, someone who can catch the mistakes before your book hits print.

There's nothing that screams unprofessional more than a book with a slew of grammatical errors. Don't give the naysayers a reason to set your book down into the unreadable wasteland. Besides an editor, a self-publisher should look into hiring a cover artist, a formatter and even a PR contact.

Apart from the technical stuff, self-publishing isn't a one-man show, because there are readers. I know, blows your mind, doesn't it? Get these readers early on. Start a blog, hop on social media and never stop learning.

So you're publishing a book?  Read about how to pick your publishing method here!

How to Survive + Conquer NaNoWriMo

Want to know the secret to winning NaNoWriMo? Are you ready? Here's the secret, my friends: get ready to write like crazy. 

So what is NaNoWriMo? It stands for National Novel Writing Month and takes place the month of November, when crazy writer kids get together and try to write their novels. A whole novel. 50,000 words to be exact. Guess who happens to be a crazy writer kid?

Last year, I loosely participated in NaNoWriMo with a group of my writer friends, but it fell at an odd time for me. Because I was nearly finished with my first novel, These Are the Moments, I had trouble reaching my word counts.

But this year, everything changes. Not only am I taking #TATM2 to NaNoWriMo—Lord, help me—but I'm taking you with me. This year, I'm hosting an exclusive NaNoWriMo community, and you're invited. Scroll to the bottom of this post to sign up!

Are you up for the challenge? We need a game plan, folks. I've got three tips on how to survive NaNoWriMo, coming at ya':

Kiss the Delete Key Goodbye

50,000 words, people. And every single one of them counts. I'm a big believer in  writing sprints, so much so that it's my number one writing secret to writing faster. The key to making your word counts is to let your mind wander.

I'll be honest with you: I'm not the best at being totally edit-free, but with practice, I've learned to write through my mental editing. So, goodbye delete key, who needs you anyway?

For stratey, try reading:Why You Should Write Your Novel on Paper.

Be Distraction-Free

"Oh look, a tweet!" How often do you find yourself clicking through apps when you've promised yourself you'd write? We spend so much time wasting time that writing takes twice the time.

Let's break this down, shall we? For NaNoWriMo, you need to write 1,666 words a day. When sprinting, I can write 1,000 words in thirty minutes. That's around 45 minutes of unlocked writing time a day! But add in Twitter? And I'm done.

How do we fix this? Here are some helpful hints:

1. Find your ideal writing space. Do you need absolute silence? Do you write at a desk? Find what makes you most productive!
2. Download a distraction-free software.
3. Turn off your WiFi. (I know you're scared. Trust me.)
4. Schedule your social media ahead of time.
5. Leave your phone in the other room.

Plan Ahead

The most important part of how to survive NaNoWriMo is preparation. I'm talking a whole lotta coffee. When it comes to NaNo prep, this involves at least a small degree of outlining.

A few things you should know before you jump into November:

1. The general plot. When November 1st rolls around, you don't want to be choosing between two story ideas. Unless you think you can write 100,000 words.
2. Your main character. Or a character, at least. Don't worry about names, just know what he/she is all about.
3. A few scenes. 1,666 can add up really fast, especially when you don't have a scene idea. Save yourself the trouble and keep a list of scenes you want to write as a reference.

Remember, NaNoWriMo is a marathon. You don't just wake up one morning and say, "I think I'll go run a 5k today." You train. You practice. Take this same principle to NaNo.

Ten Books to Read in Your Twenties

Raise your hand if you're in your twenties. Raise your hand if you're still telling people you're in your twenties. Welcome, one and all. Above are ten books that are perfect for that quarter-life crisis moment in your life. That moment when you collapse on your couch after work, debating if you should nap, thinking why am I not in college anymore? That moment when you think, dear God, I think I'm an adult. 

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Attachments was my first Rainbow Rowell read, and she is practically perfect in every way. This book has love, comedy and friendship. It's your typical boy-meets-girl-through-email romance, oh but, she doesn't actually know he's reading. So he's kind of stalking? Except it's his job. Intrigued? Recommended for: Anyone who's in that what's a job anyway slump.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

This is still on my shelf, waiting to be read. My mother read it — and she's a voracious reader, so we can trust her opinion — and loved it. Cheryl writes about her experience hiking through her pain and putting her life back together. It's raw and honest and awesome. I personally can't wait to read. Recommended for: Anyone who doesn't know what the heck they're doing. Travel-hungry desk-sitters.

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

I read this book in a couple of days, because I completely threw myself into the story. Lou's loses her job, still lives at home and hasn't wandered past her small little town. She gets a job as a caretaker through a temp agency and the rest is history. It's romantic and sad and sappy, everything you want in a quick read. Recommended for: Anyone who needs a good cry. Lovers of The Notebook. 

Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown

How often do you do laundry? Do you know how to properly clean your tiny little space? Are you having a hard time letting go of your big sorority t-shirts? Enter Kelly Williams Brown. She'll teach you how to adult (because it's a verb) in 468 easy(ish) steps. Recommended for: Anyone who still takes laundry home to their mother.

Twenty Something by Iain Hollingshead

I found a copy of this book in a used bookstore, and by name alone, could not leave it behind. Jack Lancaster is kind of a terrible guy, but he's funny and somewhat redeemable eventually. Recently dumped and hating his job, Jack's at his best when he's with his group of friends. Recommended for: Anyone who likes How I Met Your Mother or Friends. Ensemble-fans welcome.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go is the perfect combination of literary fiction, science fiction and romance. The story follows Kathy, Ruth and Tommy from school to adulthood, and all of the awakening that comes with it. There's innocence and heartbreak, love and death. Recommended for: Anyone who wants a deep read.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

For some reason, I never read this as a child. The narrator meets the little prince, who tells him this elaborate story about everyone he met, and the flower waiting for him back home. Why should you read this in your twenties? Because big messages come in small books. Recommended for: Anyone who's a big kid at heart.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Who doesn't love Mindy Kaling? She's hilarious and beautiful, and clearly just like every other girl who hates missing out. Get to know Mindy's story chapter by chapter, and realize that she's just like you. Except more awesome. Recommended for: Anyone who loves Mindy Kaling. And the Office. And hilarious people.

One Day by David Nicholls

I won't lie to you. I'm not a huge fan of the ending; however, the rest of the book is magic. Dexter and Emma are best friends, and this book documents their lives, one day out of the year. Their chemistry is perfect and Nicholls is a master of dialogue. Recommended for: Anyone who loves love. The Fault in Our Stars fans.

Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without a Date by Katie Heaney

Another on my to-read list. Twenty-five year old Katie Heaney has never been in a relationship. She's hardly been on a second date. This memoir is about friendship and love and fumbling your way through being in your mid-twenties. Recommended for: Anyone who likes New Girl. And the perpetually single. And people who feel perpetually single.

Got something to add? Comment below with your top books to read in your twenties! 

How to Break Writing Rules

Confession: I'm not a grammar nut. 

I know the rules and aced my English courses, but that doesn't mean I have to like them. (I mean, really, can someone just make a definitive decision on the Oxford comma?) 

For me, grammar is just a vehicle. A means to an end. (See what I did there? That wasn't a sentence. I don't care.) So how do we break writing rules and get away with it? Well, my friends, the great writers do it all the time.

Here's the secret: try new styles. Let me rattle off a list for you: Rainbow Rowell, George Saunders, Jonathan Tropper, William Faulkner, Kurt Vonnegut. These writers set their own style from subject matter to word choice to punctuation.

And guess what? People love them. Because they're interesting. Because they make no apologies. Here are the writing rules you should definitely consider breaking:

BREAK PLOT RULES

Happy endings are too predictable. Don't start your story with a prologue. Remember your story structure.There's a reason that there are writing rules. They work. Good old Joseph Campbell with his hero's journey. The snowflake method. The Three Act Structure. 

These plot structures are tried and true (but often predictable). Am I saying to throw every rule out the window? Absolutely not.

There is no wrong way to write a story. Forget about plot point one, climax and denouement. Don't try to make your story fit a structure, if it so clearly doesn't. Let's get specific: 

• Combine genres. I'm ridiculously intrigued with crossover novels. Fairytale meets dystopian. Classic retellings combined with zombie apocalypse. For my novel, These Are the Moments, I stuck with a simple new adult meets young adult genre. 
• Bold endings. Worried about your cliffhanger? Scared to kill off your main character? Be bold, my friend! 
• Pacing. Ditch the clinical structure. Add more action, less dialogue. Add less dialogue, more action. Do what works for your story. 

Examples of breaking plot rules: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

BREAK PUNCTUATION RULES

Quotation marks are for dialogue. Yes, Oxford commas. No, Oxford commas. I happen to be a firm believer in the fragment-as-a-sentence trick. For emphasis. (See?) However, that doesn't mean I'm going to abandon all proper, well-crafted sentences.

When it comes to punctuation rule-breaking, a little goes a long way. Addendum: there are exceptions. Some novels or short stories are contingent on these off-kilter punctuation strategies.

Take Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. It's main character/narrator is a mentally challenged man who often misspells words and forgets commas. See what kind of punctuation fits your story, while still being readable. 

Don't forget to vary your sentences. Unless you don't want to. Without all those cool clauses and prepositional phrases, your reader might get bored. Throw in a run-on sentence or two for good measure. (This is starting to sound more like a recipe than a blog post.)

BREAK STYLISTIC RULES

A paragraph is three-five sentences. Every story has a beginning, middle and end. Avoid slang. A writer's style is their brand. I'm fairly confident I could pick up a Jonathan Tropper book and recognize it.

That's why writers like James Patterson and Danielle Steel write so many books. They've found a genre/style that works for them, as well as a loyal audience. 

CHALLENGE: don't stick to one genre. Embrace your writing style and then break away from it. Or don't. (Am I confusing you yet?) The thing about style is that it can't be forced, 96% of the time. (Totally made up statistic.)

Style is a unique trademark of a writer, because it's how that writer chooses to craft a story. Maybe you like to write in long, sweeping paragraphs. Maybe you like to write choppy, incomplete sentences. Maybe you like excessive setting. Maybe you avoid setting altogether. The more you write, the more your style reveals itself.

Personally, I try to write the way I speak. I want my novel to feel real and honest, true to life in all of its fun, sad and scary parts. Just keep writing. Always. (Gotcha again.)

Discussion Time: How do you break writing rules? What new breaks would you like to try?