Gamma Readers

[madwriter]

If you're reading my journal you likely know what a beta reader is. If you don't, it's simply (or in practice, not so simply) someone you trust who critiques a piece of writing that you're working on or just finished, or whatever. Beta reading can encompass the range from basic proofreading to deep tissue edits

Comments

[coffeehouse]

I'm here if you need a gamma. I'll tell you it's too long or needs more and I'll tell you if there is a continuity error. Don't ask me to cut swaths out, but I will tell you where the boring parts are...

[madwriter]

Telling me where the boring parts are would likely help immensely. I'm one of these writers who's interested in everything and while I logically know that not everyone else is, I seem to keep writing as if they are.

[madwriter]

I often do, but the others pale in comparison to "Did it feel long". :)

[madwriter]

Apparently these are among my strengths too--but in my case I pay so much attention to the detail that I often lose whether or not the detail is actually needed.

[dacuteturtle]

My wife is a good editor. By editor, I mean content editor. I'm always happy to give informed feedback as well. I've done two books now.

As for as too long goes, do a reality check. Look at comparable authors and see how long their chapters run. Compare. Make decision. The important word here is "decision." Do your choices about pacing, chapter length, and genre expectations harmonize? If not, decide what to change.