Writing A Novel - Beta Readers (and Alpha Readers, too!)

When you are writing a novel you are immersed in a world of your own. Everything plays out in your mind and, if you are writing fiction, you exist in a completely different universe than the one you breathe in. Within the confines of your imagination everything begins to makes sense, the characters are all vividly alive and the details are clear. You sit down to a computer, or with a notebook and do your best to explain that which exists in your mind. Alpha and beta readers are those wonderful people that help you make sure you've done your best job before sending your words out into the public arena.

What is an Alpha Reader?

In his book On Writing, Stephen King says that writing is a form of telepathy. He sets a scene, describes the details and then asks, "Do we see the same thing?" This is the first question all writers ask.  The problem is, when we first write there is no unbiased audience to answer. This is where we employ the use of Alpha Readers. King follows up his question with, "We'd have to get together to compare notes to make absolutely sure," and while I must admit that Mr. King and I never had that sit-down, you can be sure he had that conversation with some other people. The first person he spoke to  was his alpha reader.

Your alpha reader is the first person you show your writing to. You don't waste their time. They are there to check for readability. Ask them to read your first sentence, then see if they want to proceed. Leave it up to them. The point is to see if someone else wants to enter your fictional world, to see if your story is intriguing enough. Jason R. Peters does an excellent job of explaining the alpha reading process on his blog, and offers up this graphic:

The alpha reader must be brutally honest and let you know when it just isn't worth it to go on. Once you've perfected the writing to a point where the entire story is fleshed out and clear, you move on to your Beta Reader.

What is a Beta Reader?

The term "beta" should not be new to those who try to be on the cutting edge of the tech world. Oftentimes when new software is released, or before a new website is launched, companies look for beta testers to be their first users. These people are granted early access to the programming under the agreement that they will report glitches, comment on their experience(s) and, in general, help the company perfect the material before it's public launch. This is exactly what a beta reader is for writers.
 
WISE GEEK defines a beta reader as follows:

A beta reader is someone who agrees to look over a piece of fiction for spelling, grammar, characterization, and continuity errors. Unlike a true editor, a beta reader is typically unpaid, and he or she sees the work at a very rough state. Many authors like to use beta readers to improve the quality of their work before they submit it for professional editing and critique, and beta readers are usually profusely thanked in acknowledgments, in recognition of the time and energy which they invested in the work.

The difference between the beta reader and the alpha reader is the detail. Your beta reader goes beyond story and helps you find where you need semicolons, spell checks and the such. Your beta readers are your last stop before heading out to the professionals. They help you spit shine your writing for its greatest shine.

How Do You Find Alpha and Beta Readers?

Alpha and beta readers are wonderful, giving people. They are not paid for their services and they could be the most important people on your path to success. Where are they hiding? They're not. They are just waiting for you to brave enough to ask!

I had my best luck finding readers without leaving the comfort of my desk chair.

My Alpha Readers

Since alpha readers see my writing at its rawest stage, I haven't been too brave in my endeavors. I have one alpha reader. He is my husband. Now, I happen to be lucky enough that I am married to a high school English teacher that loves to read, but that doesn't mean you are out of luck if you are not.

I would suggest that you find a friend or family member who is an avid reader. Don't ask grandma if she only watches "her programs" and hasn't picked up a book since grade school - you need a reader. You also need to be able to accept honest responses from them and they need to be able to give them. Be clear when you ask them to read for you that (in this particular situation) you are not looking for that unconditional, blind encouragement and praise they normally offer up; you need the truth. Explain to them that should stop reading whenever they feel like they want to and that you are willing to listen to why they made that decision.

My Beta Readers

After going through the alpha process, I am a little more brave. This is when I send my words out to strangers. There are two places I have found great success, however, in both instances, I have made the agreement to be a beta readers as well. When you are willing to help others plenty of doors of opportunity open wide for you.

1. Twitter If you are a writer and you are not on Twitter, then you are seriously missing out. There are tons of writer chats and groups supporting one another. I found a beta reader in the #NaNoPals community (great NaNoPals Blog) and have tons of buddies in the #StoryDam (chats on Thursdays at 8pm EST) community.
2. Figment.com This website is a ton of fun for both readers and writers. It's a great place for authors to connect with their audience. If you are a writer yourself, you can upload your own writing to the site for readers to check out, review and give hearts to. I've put some of my writing out there and, I have joined a couple of critique groups that have been fun and friendly.

Beyond the Internet, there is also the wonderful world of face-to-face writer groups. I am happy to say that a new one has cropped up locally for me that I will be going to meet with on Saturday for the first time. If you are looking for a local writing group of your own, check your local library and, of course, Meetup.com, where, if you can't find one, you can create one!

Thanks for reading!

Have you used beta readers yet for your writing?

Where have you found your beta buddies?

Who would you choose to be your alpha reader, and why?

30+ "Urgent" Matters That Keep Me From My Writing

Do you know who I am? I am the maniac that likes to work under pressure. I am the one who rarely finishes anything early, not merely because I have procrastinated doing it, but because every other thing in life seemed exceedingly urgent.

Now, my definition of "urgent matters" and your definition of urgent matters may differ wildly. Here are some things that, depending on the circumstance, could be deemed as an urgent matter:

1. BBCAmerica is showing an episode of Doctor Who I have only seen once before.
2. I told myself I was going to write a particular post for my blog.
3. There is a conversation going on on Twitter that I believe I can contribute to.
4. There is a book next to me, in my bag or on my nightstand that I have not yet finished.
5. My dog is looking at me.
6. I haven't looked at my gecko in a little while.
7. I require chocolate.
8. I forgot to take my medicine.
9. Tonight is the opening night of some movie.
10. My brother is on the phone.
11. I've decided today is going to be mega-clean-up day.
12. I've decided today is going to be the day where I teach myself about some new social media tool I know next to nothing about.
13. The neighbors found a dog roaming around the neighborhood and I've decided I am going to "hang on to it" until we figure out who the psycho dog belongs to (that was last Friday).
14. I'm going to research how to find bachelor mockingbirds some girlfriends so they don't have to chirp all night long outside our bedroom.
15. I'm going to figure out how to actually use my slow cooker.
16. I'm going to put all of life on hold to go to a ginormous book expo and simply forget that I am no where near healthy enough to do such a thing!
17. BBCAmerica is showing an episode of Doctor Who I have seen many times before.
18. Oh... wait a second... BBC America is showing Battlestar Galactica after Doctor Who and this happens every weekday from 4pm through 6pm?! Reschedule dinner time, this is extremely  urgent!!
19. Facebook needs an update.
20. Facebook has 20+ messages waiting for me.
21. I must check my e-mail. 
22. I must read more blogs.
23. I must go back and read blogs that I started reading a long time ago.
24. I must figure out a better way to read blogs.
25. Very urgent! Check in on foursquare! Don't let that guy steal your one and only mayorship again!
26. Feed the dogs. 
27. Is it garbage day? If so, get everything out of the house!! If not, ignore everything and wait for garbage day.
28. I bet those weeds are growing back in the backyard... Get outside.
29. Qdoba opened up right up the block! MUST go try it!
30. Mother-in-law invites us for dinner. Never saying no to that!
31. I'm feeling pretty weak. I should probably do some more bicep curls with that large salsa jar.
32. Husband is lingering near the laundry... better get some of that done.
33. I must watch all the YouTube channels I am subscribed to, otherwise, why bother to subscribe?
34. I'll convert my china cabinet into a bookcase (sure Mom and Dad are both flipping in their graves over that one!).
35. I will engage the telemarketer, survey person, or whoever else randomly calls my house (particularly if they ask for one or both of my deceased parents) in a long winded conversation.
36. I will give my gecko a bath.
37. What I really need to do is write a really long list of all of the things that keep me from revising and editing my novel!

There are more, I am sure, but, for now, each of these things has kept me, in some way shape or form, from completing my novel. Since Camp NaNoWriMo and JuNoWriMo started at the beginning of this month, I told myself I would use this month to work on it, however, this has not happened. Every day, the "urgent matters" (and yes, some of them are actually pretty valid, like my health kicking my @$$) keep creeping up and stealing my time. Every night I go to bed asking myself Why didn't I write today? Then I got this tweet today:

@riverand How's the writing going?
— Susan Sipal (@HP4Writers) June 13, 2012

In the instant I read it, I thought, Oh no... I have no excuse! You see, Susan and I trade tweets maybe every month or so. I recall her asking me the same question last time we tweeted and I remember having big plans... As I started to write back, I stumbled upon my solution:

It's getting overwhelmed by blogging & reading.I'm going to have to give myself a deadlineRT @hp4writers: @riverand How's the writing going?
— Nicole Rivera (@riverand) June 13, 2012

A deadline. So simple, even if it is completely made up and has nothing behind it but my word. Because, as I said at the beginning of this post: I am the maniac that likes to work under pressure. Unfortunately, in this writing life, right now, there is no one to apply that pressure but me! Susan's response?

@riverand Without deadlines, I'd get nothing done - even if the deadline is an artificial one that I've set.
— Susan Sipal (@HP4Writers) June 13, 2012

So glad I'm not alone...

Image Source

The deadline is set. Are you ready? My obscure date is August 17, 2012. On that day I will be done with my revisions and editing. I think that means I'll be done with beta readers, too. I want to be able to jump into the rejection pool (query time) by this Fall. I have set up a countdown on my iGoogle homepage to remind me every time I open up my computer (adding that pressure!), it looks like this:

 

I have 65 days. Is it enough? I. have. no. idea. But this is the only way I am going to find out, right?

Here's what I need from you guys:

• Support, cheerleading, etc.
• A good butt kicking every now and again.
• A simple "@riverand How's the writing going? #deadline" tweet, to keep me accountable (or embarrassed!)
• Volunteer beta readers for a contemporary YA novel. I'm looking for more critique over grammar/spell check - if you think you might want in, let me know!

For now, I'll just have to protect myself...

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