Alpha, beta and first readers
One of the things on my mind recently is the "finishing" process. It is my biggest nemesis! Up to this point I have pretty much worked solo and I believe this is a big part of my problem. I feel I really need to get a "crew" in place (no insult intended!) to help me move forward, finish things, and grow as a writer.
I know the value of a good beta but the idea of "first readers" is new to me. I see them thanked regularly by my favorite writers and so it seems obvious that they are a benefit and a helpful part of the process. Unfortunately, after reading a description of what a first reader is suppose to be, it not only did no mesh with what I thought but I didn't see the usefulness of them in the capacity they were being described.
With that in mind I am really interested in a discussion of the purpose of, need for, and how to choose these helpful partners in the writing process.
Most of you seem to be experienced writers and therefore may not need this but I thought you may be able to answer these questions best and provide a great resource for newer writers.
First, clarification on what exactly the different terms mean and what their role is in the writing process and what each one brings to the table.
I'll start with my understanding of what each person's role is and you can correct my mistakes.
Alpha reader - The writer. My understanding is the differentiation between writer and alpha reader is that after they write the rough draft they take off their writer hat and put on their editor hat. In this way they look at their work with a critical eye instead of a creative eye so to speak (although creative elements are inspected they don't look to create). This is done before a draft goes to the beta. Not always necessary depending on the writer/beta relationship but is general a good thing to do and makes for happier betas.
Beta - Basically the editor. They check for spelling, grammar, continuity, and basic story elements. They may also go as far as general flow and feel of the piece, picking out elements that may need more or less, fact checking, etc. Several finished drafts or even unfinished drafts are run by the beta to help polish and get the story to a finished state.
First readers - A small group of trusted readers. They only get to see the "finished" story, what the writer and beta are satisfied with, before the story is published. Their purpose, I thought, was to be a test group. To read and give a reaction thus letting the writer know if an audience will understand and/or enjoy the finished work or if it needs something else.
Now, the description I read of a first reader is they are "cheerleaders" they are there to encourage the writer not critique. I am not sure I get that if that is what first readers do.
Personally I don't want or need cheerleaders, I need folks that I can trust to be honest and tell me if there are elements that are just not right. I know that is part of the beta's job but to me a group of first readers are going to be the best test of whether a story really works. If they just point out the good and don't say "Hey, this was great but this confused me/ lost me/ turned me off because..." they don't help my story or my writing skills and therefore I don't see any reason to have first readers.
Encouragement and pats on the back are nice but if the story is well written and your crew does their job in helping you shape your story that will come from the end readers right? Why would I need that before I publish? Please help me understand this.
Next, within these partners what works for you as a writer? What do you look for or find helpful when someone is looking at your unpolished work or pre-published finished work? What kind of feedback is most helpful to you? I know that may be a very individualized thing but your answers may prompt thoughts in directions others have not considered before and open up entirely new avenues.
If you are a beta or a first reader, what do you see your purpose as and what do you look for in a writer before you commit to working with them? How do you not impose your own personal tastes on the writer and/or their style? If you really feel strongly about a point how do you get the writer to see your side? Or do you just let them do it their way? And if you work with multiple writers does that vary by writer?
The floor is open!
I know the value of a good beta but the idea of "first readers" is new to me. I see them thanked regularly by my favorite writers and so it seems obvious that they are a benefit and a helpful part of the process. Unfortunately, after reading a description of what a first reader is suppose to be, it not only did no mesh with what I thought but I didn't see the usefulness of them in the capacity they were being described.
With that in mind I am really interested in a discussion of the purpose of, need for, and how to choose these helpful partners in the writing process.
Most of you seem to be experienced writers and therefore may not need this but I thought you may be able to answer these questions best and provide a great resource for newer writers.
First, clarification on what exactly the different terms mean and what their role is in the writing process and what each one brings to the table.
I'll start with my understanding of what each person's role is and you can correct my mistakes.
Alpha reader - The writer. My understanding is the differentiation between writer and alpha reader is that after they write the rough draft they take off their writer hat and put on their editor hat. In this way they look at their work with a critical eye instead of a creative eye so to speak (although creative elements are inspected they don't look to create). This is done before a draft goes to the beta. Not always necessary depending on the writer/beta relationship but is general a good thing to do and makes for happier betas.
Beta - Basically the editor. They check for spelling, grammar, continuity, and basic story elements. They may also go as far as general flow and feel of the piece, picking out elements that may need more or less, fact checking, etc. Several finished drafts or even unfinished drafts are run by the beta to help polish and get the story to a finished state.
First readers - A small group of trusted readers. They only get to see the "finished" story, what the writer and beta are satisfied with, before the story is published. Their purpose, I thought, was to be a test group. To read and give a reaction thus letting the writer know if an audience will understand and/or enjoy the finished work or if it needs something else.
Now, the description I read of a first reader is they are "cheerleaders" they are there to encourage the writer not critique. I am not sure I get that if that is what first readers do.
Personally I don't want or need cheerleaders, I need folks that I can trust to be honest and tell me if there are elements that are just not right. I know that is part of the beta's job but to me a group of first readers are going to be the best test of whether a story really works. If they just point out the good and don't say "Hey, this was great but this confused me/ lost me/ turned me off because..." they don't help my story or my writing skills and therefore I don't see any reason to have first readers.
Encouragement and pats on the back are nice but if the story is well written and your crew does their job in helping you shape your story that will come from the end readers right? Why would I need that before I publish? Please help me understand this.
Next, within these partners what works for you as a writer? What do you look for or find helpful when someone is looking at your unpolished work or pre-published finished work? What kind of feedback is most helpful to you? I know that may be a very individualized thing but your answers may prompt thoughts in directions others have not considered before and open up entirely new avenues.
If you are a beta or a first reader, what do you see your purpose as and what do you look for in a writer before you commit to working with them? How do you not impose your own personal tastes on the writer and/or their style? If you really feel strongly about a point how do you get the writer to see your side? Or do you just let them do it their way? And if you work with multiple writers does that vary by writer?
The floor is open!