Short Story Connect discussion

We all need second opinions. Betas and critique partners are a great way to make our manuscripts better before publication. Once you have them, you really want to keep the reading and feedback process smooth and quick.

And what can you do to get the best feedback?

https://mybookwhisperer.org/2020/05/0...

1) A list of concerns that I'd like their opinion on. I try to keep them broad before their reading, so that it doesn't influence their opinion much. "I'm not sure if the pace is fast enough at the start." Once they've read and left their comments I might ask specific followup comments. "What did you think about this scene?"

2) I always make sure that a good beta reader leaves comments on what they liked and didn't like! I need to know what to not change as much as what to change. Now a days my beta readers often leave comments that sound like livetweeting, since that's what they're used to. That works quite well for me, a live feed of a readers reactions is super useful!

3) I make it clear what I don't want too! Particularly solutions for the bigger problems. Usually suggested solutions like that don't make as much sense, and end being a waste of time for the beta reader to write out and for me to read.