confessions of a snarky beta (#4)

[isiscolo]

A lot of fairly sophisticated writers who are relentless self-editors don't see the need for a beta editor. Their stories are usually free of the grammatical and spelling errors that mark the work of poorer writers; they certainly don't need someone for the technical fixes. But really, this type of editing is the least interesting (and least

Comments

[shadowluck]

And very illuminating it was indeed. Looks like you have wonderful betas. Thanks for sharing.

[laurelwood]

This is just the kind of "Snarky Beta" essay I've been wanting to read. Great and very useful information about both the beta-ing and the writing process, and it I like that you used this story as an example, since I read (and very much enjoyed it) recently enough to recall all the details easily.

Thanks!

[justacat]

I found this fascinating. I have very mixed feelings about seeing "behind" the story - the old laws and sausages problem, and I like to believe in the illusion of effortlessness created by good writing - but I also love getting into the nitty gritty details, seeing "the way things work" (bought that great book for my nephew and kept it for myself, I was so entranced!) and I've always wanted to be a fly on the wall during a beta process. Thanks for sharing this.

(And I really enjoyed the story, too!)

[thistle_chaser]

Wow, so interesting! And you can tell what good... Well. I started and deleted this sentence twice 'You can tell what good writers the three are by the suggestions they gave', but I suppose that might not be true. I'd think maybe a good editor can have an ear for rhythm and flow without actually being a writer themself.

Either way, interesting stuff!

[isiscolo]

It doesn't take a good writer to be able to distinguish the good from the bad, just as it doesn't take a good cook to appreciate a tasty meal (or recognize a bad one). But where a sophisticated critic can point out the flaws in a story, a sophisticated writer can make cogent and specific suggestions on how to improve it.

[thistle_chaser]

Huh. Yeah, that makes sense.

[dragonelle_fics]

Thank you so much for posting this. I am a big wimp about having my writing beta'd, and it's tremendously helpful to see solid examples of the kind of constructive criticism that can/should emerge from the process.