tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post4382960757595346664..comments2024-03-28T06:40:18.963-04:00Comments on Leigh Talbert Moore, Author: Pay the Beta ForwardLTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-42428719981022071292011-09-11T21:41:59.028-04:002011-09-11T21:41:59.028-04:00@Anita--thanks, girl! Yeah, that sandwich thing se...@Anita--thanks, girl! Yeah, that sandwich thing seems to be the best approach. I forgot that analogy... *snort* :D <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-18278829390420282812011-09-11T04:13:35.463-04:002011-09-11T04:13:35.463-04:00So true. I sometimes forget when my head goes in e...So true. I sometimes forget when my head goes in editing mode. I need the reminder! :o)Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-18901708686351656372011-09-08T01:02:17.712-04:002011-09-08T01:02:17.712-04:00Great advice. I learned to give my critiques out i...Great advice. I learned to give my critiques out in a kind of sandwich, with the harsher criticisms tucked between soft and tender praises. It seems to work really well. Hope you had a great weekend!Anita Grace Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01797870961916148616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-61892126306845309752011-09-07T19:40:33.039-04:002011-09-07T19:40:33.039-04:00I'm always on the look-out for more experience...I'm always on the look-out for more experienced critters. They are so valuable and the clever ones can make the experience fun too :)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-75850013595124163962011-09-07T17:24:41.198-04:002011-09-07T17:24:41.198-04:00Good post, Leigh! I couldn't agree more. Hrm, ...Good post, Leigh! I couldn't agree more. Hrm, I just may come tapping at your door when I finish my revisions. :pShannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640509596922335617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-62730213297843748572011-09-07T09:45:57.238-04:002011-09-07T09:45:57.238-04:00@Stephen--excellent! Great to hear~ :o)
@Liz--no ...@Stephen--excellent! Great to hear~ :o)<br /><br />@Liz--no kidding, right? Instant karma... :D And that's the greatest way to put it. People do respond better to others who are thoughtful and kind. :o) <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-13027378384302518542011-09-07T09:10:36.045-04:002011-09-07T09:10:36.045-04:00Karma, it always finds you.
I think you're al...Karma, it always finds you.<br /><br />I think you're always willing to listen more deeply to criticism given by someone who appears to have a soul. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-55855401482989789982011-09-06T22:38:08.740-04:002011-09-06T22:38:08.740-04:00I love my beta readers and treat them like gold! I...I love my beta readers and treat them like gold! I would not be where I am today without them. And the cricism they provide is worth listening to and making necessary adjustments before going to print.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-66637116457166632852011-09-06T20:29:01.066-04:002011-09-06T20:29:01.066-04:00I'm with Lydia and Theresa on how I define bet...I'm with Lydia and Theresa on how I define betas and CPs. My betas are avid readers that don't write, but who are happy to read and give their thoughts on what doesn't work/make sense or any inconsistencies, plot glitches. CPs are my select group of writer friends with whom I trade critiquing.<br /><br />I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, love. :)<br /><br />Huggles,<br />LolaLola Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14394765053485642935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-80383678377288542822011-09-06T17:58:10.049-04:002011-09-06T17:58:10.049-04:00Beta's and critter's are the best thing th...Beta's and critter's are the best thing that can ever happen to a MS. Hands down. And positive criticism and praise is a must! <br /><br />Great post :)Michelle Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00040685503147648297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-91300039400706370202011-09-06T17:13:57.112-04:002011-09-06T17:13:57.112-04:00Leigh - I agree. Helping each other is so importan...Leigh - I agree. Helping each other is so important AND can be worderful. I have several peeps who I consider great crit partners. They're awesome!RaShelle Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582252557500502186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-13862167380546624302011-09-06T15:52:31.515-04:002011-09-06T15:52:31.515-04:00So true, and so important! I'm sure I don'...So true, and so important! I'm sure I don't hit that 3:1 ratio, but I try to put in a lot of "Nice!" and "LOL" as well as helpful criticism. <br /><br />p.s. I hope my teeth aren't as long as that critter!Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-15580983379368745052011-09-06T15:19:26.050-04:002011-09-06T15:19:26.050-04:00What a great post filled with wise advice! Because...What a great post filled with wise advice! Because I’m an editor in my day job and because time is always at a premium, when my colleagues and I receive a manuscript, we just get in there and fix what needs to be corrected (proofreading and copyediting types of errors) and make suggestions to the authors regarding content edits.<br /><br />While we always aim for positive professionalism and try to phrase each change as a suggestion, the bottom line is we’re all busy professionals who realize we need to take, and give, edits as they are meant—as suggestions for improvement not something designed to make anyone feel bad.<br /><br />I often am concerned that when I’m critiquing or beta reading that I’m going too much into my day-job mode of just getting in and trying to be constructive. I always try to give an equal balance of positive feedback, but the devil’s advocate in me will start to say, “Agents and editors won’t crit your work this way. They’re going to tell you only what they think needs to be revised. No comments mean that section works.”<br /><br />Is that spoonful of sugar only deferring the reality cramps? Maybe. On the other hand, maybe editors from all walks of life should consider couching our suggestions as do the best critters and beta readers of fiction manuscripts.<br /><br />Again, an excellent and thought-provoking post.Michelle Fayardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05323853315988838877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-82964634553328486222011-09-06T14:26:58.937-04:002011-09-06T14:26:58.937-04:00I'm with Lydia. That's what I've hear...I'm with Lydia. That's what I've heard the difference is too. I've always been a critique partner - never a beta reader under that definition. But I've had both types read my manuscripts.<br /><br />YaY for betas and critique partners!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-61803076074048006182011-09-06T13:55:42.024-04:002011-09-06T13:55:42.024-04:00Hi Leigh!
I always think of my betas as the ones w...Hi Leigh!<br />I always think of my betas as the ones who read my stuff because they're avid readers, but not necessarily writers. They tell me what doesn't make sense, if it's shelf-worthy, and point out inconsistencies and stuff. <br /><br />My crit partners are the ones who are actively writing and give me nitty-gritty inside detail on what works and what doesn't. Tension, voice consistency, plot issues, stuff like that. <br /><br />So glad you have good ones on your side!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-9016060258113785182011-09-06T13:24:57.442-04:002011-09-06T13:24:57.442-04:00I love beta reading and hope to provide both good ...I love beta reading and hope to provide both good feedback and area for improvement. I wish everyone was the same.Miranda Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17880449368013410349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-27569434891981857392011-09-06T12:10:32.731-04:002011-09-06T12:10:32.731-04:00@Hil--Right! And I was also thinking it helps to f...@Hil--Right! And I was also thinking it helps to find others working in the same genre as you. Forgot to add that... Clarissa & Summer I think offer connection services. Where you can seek for someone to work with. Just fyi! :o) <3<br /><br />@Summer--Right! That's probably more like my approach. The sandwich. Thanks, girl! <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-41566338621672671562011-09-06T07:56:53.640-04:002011-09-06T07:56:53.640-04:00I've been very lucky to find some great beta p...I've been very lucky to find some great beta partners. I think the difference is that with Critters you send out the manuscript in chunks and they help you clean it up as you go along. with beta's you send them the whole manuscript and they help with the bigger issues like pacing and characterization. My methods are much like yours and if I have a beta who doesn't follow the same guidelines and is too brash and unhelpful with their crits, it's over.Creepy Query Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-85958457611986704272011-09-05T21:43:26.627-04:002011-09-05T21:43:26.627-04:00yeah. tact is never underrated. yikes!
i hear yo...yeah. tact is never underrated. yikes!<br />i hear you about meeting good critters through blogging. it helps to get to know something about a person's tastes and petpeeves before diving into a creative exchange with them!vic caswell https://www.blogger.com/profile/01218698236837610704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-24646639641323819292011-09-05T15:32:48.157-04:002011-09-05T15:32:48.157-04:00Its funny I learned more about giving a good criti...Its funny I learned more about giving a good critique in my communications class than I did reading stuff about how to critique. I use one simple rule the sandwich. You give a compliment, give a criticism, and give another compliment. Great post.Summer Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122694893668693244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-91996254593877782052011-09-05T11:32:34.248-04:002011-09-05T11:32:34.248-04:00Oh I am so sorry for your bloggy friend. I so know...Oh I am so sorry for your bloggy friend. I so know how she feels having been at the end of a few really bitter and unhelpful but emotionally damaging critiques in the past. <br /><br />Critiquing and being a beta reader takes such skill and are artforms in themselves that a good critter/beta are true and rare finds indeed! I hope your friend continues to write with confidence and find truly helpful and positive critters/betas.<br /><br />I know I could never be one myself - I lack the skill to be a critter/beta (being a learner not very good writer) but I will cheer you on at every stage of your writerly journey! Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-46380886610369069362011-09-05T10:12:30.942-04:002011-09-05T10:12:30.942-04:00Being a beta and/or CP is truly an honor. I totall...Being a beta and/or CP is truly an honor. I totally agree!S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-70277499535187406282011-09-05T09:31:15.060-04:002011-09-05T09:31:15.060-04:00a big applause to all the good beta readers :)
And...a big applause to all the good beta readers :)<br />And it's important to know how to chose your beta readers and it is also important to know how to take the truth and the criticism in the right way and not shed tears like your friend :) You always have to have reliable and knowledgeable people as beta readers.DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-89602878637638529982011-09-05T09:15:09.488-04:002011-09-05T09:15:09.488-04:00I love to give the positive (gushing comments) wit...I love to give the positive (gushing comments) with the negatives. It's good to know what you do well at, too, so that you can continue to do it that way. No point thinking something sucks and changing it when it was an incredible strength.Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-46222684931448235312011-09-05T07:54:01.550-04:002011-09-05T07:54:01.550-04:00YOu're awesome!
And you're right, I do st...YOu're awesome!<br /><br />And you're right, I do still offer critiques. I am working on a few right now but I do enjoy helping out my fellow writing companions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.com