In searching around for how published authors run their websites and blogs, I came across a woman who invites most anybody to be a beta reader -- to read the first or second draft simply by signing up on her website (also a nifty manner for accumulating an email list).
I'm not that brave, yet. But I do, now, have a few trusted friends reading the chapters almost as I produce them. I am keeping a few chapters ahead.
I am working on the first story, "Seeking Sirius," which was badly in need of a rewrite in the first part, because of the risk of people dying of boredom.
The rewrite is moving along nicely, I think. No beta readers have perished.
Something I like about this whole fiction-writing experience is all the generous support of other writers available. Some free. Some paid. But all offered. Not hoarded, so that only their books get published.
I've learned a huge amount -- all the easier because I made the mistakes, so can recognize when an answer comes my way.
One example is a recent decision to move a scene. Actually, kind of turn it into a spoiler.
But by moving this one scene, from right after the climax, to comprising the whole of Chapter 1, I think -- I hope -- the tease will make readers want to read on, to find out HOW did that happen.
I learned about this technique from a book by James Scott Bell ("Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, 2nd ed"). And was prompted to use this particular technique, out of the many in his book, by my father, who read in 2012 about 300 novels. He's retired, and a speed reader. And he's also a pretty good judge of what works.
He will be a beta reader for me, at some point. We've agreed to be gentle about that, me being his daughter, and all that. But, Dad, I heard you, and I acted on one of your comments.
By Laure Edwards Reminick
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