A Fresh Approach
I have final line edits on TAC. They're nothing major, but the FLE did raise an important concern with my timeline. I'm thinking it's easily clarified, but it brings to light a more important topic.
The need for a fresh read.
Often, we, along with our CPs, and yes, even our agents and editors, look at a piece over and over again, until the details blur into the big picture.
This has me convinced that I may need a beta reader -- not a CP, but a person who would read a finished MS before I subbed it anywhere, someone to look at the piece as a whole, kind of a first reader.
What about you? Do you use a beta or first reader? If so, what has your experience been?
The need for a fresh read.
Often, we, along with our CPs, and yes, even our agents and editors, look at a piece over and over again, until the details blur into the big picture.
This has me convinced that I may need a beta reader -- not a CP, but a person who would read a finished MS before I subbed it anywhere, someone to look at the piece as a whole, kind of a first reader.
What about you? Do you use a beta or first reader? If so, what has your experience been?
Labels: Linda's Posts
posted by Linda Winfree at 10:15 AM
4Comments:
I do. I have two non-writer friends who read my stuff after it's been through my CPs. Because they're not writers, they're not looking for things writers look for, but catch things readers might see. I'm always amazed at the things they pick out. One's also a nurse - son is a PA, so she catches all my medical errors as well, which is fabulous.
I have both. A few beta readers and one CP. The beta readers catch typos, inconsistencies, major flaws. My CP covers things only another writer would catch, as well as giving me empathy, commiseration and industry news - which I provide for her as well.
Interesting. This is the first time I've heard the term beta readers. I had no idea...
duh.
I think beta readers can be invaluable, especially if you have a project that's been picked up and put down and picked up and put down, etc. I have one book that I've been working on off and on for years. Thus I've changed a lot as a writer in that time. My beta readers have been able to point out inconsistencies in character which I not longer saw because I'd lived with the characters for so long. Long live beta writers!
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