Beta Readers Make A Better Writer
Article by Carter Cada - Written 10/31/2023
You’ve likely not ever heard of a beta reader, and I wouldn’t blame you if you haven’t. However, more now than ever, is the role of a beta reader crucial to writers of our day.
Beta readers (as in, the Greek letter “beta”, not a weird pronunciation of “better”…which is definitely never something I ever thought…) are readers who are given an exclusive, insider look at the first, second, or even possibly third drafts of a story.
The role of a beta reader is crucial: it is their job to give the author informed, constructive, and honest criticism. Without beta readers, a writer isn’t likely to grow very much throughout their writing career, regardless of how many works they publish.
So, what does it take to be a beta reader? And how do you become one?
Table of contents:
These should follow the number of points
Beta Reader = Betah’ Writer
(Or, y’know, just read it with a Cockney accent)
1) Be honest!!
When an author invites you to beta read their work, they are bestowing upon you the position of critic, an honorable and age-old profession.
Now, let’s pause here, and unpack that a little. When many of us hear the word criticize or critical, we associate them with negativity, and it’s easy to see why. When you criticize, you say bad and mean things, and those are hurtful, so therefore, bad.
Right?
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Think of a child who constantly indulges himself in sweets. What they eat isn’t going to be good for them in the long run…and very likely to give them a nasty stomachache in the short-term. Would it be mean of you to tell the child they ought not to eat that way? Of course not.
But what if it makes them really upset? As a responsible person, you would, of course, acknowledge their feelings, but your answer remains unchanged.
The same is true of criticism. Criticism itself is not negative. In fact, if used correctly, it is a very, very good thing indeed! Even outside of writing, without criticism, many would have a hard time understanding what they are doing wrong!
The truly wise person actually enjoys being criticized. This is a sentiment the Bible makes clear in Proverbs 9:8 – “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”
While the natural (and often first) response to being criticized is to become irritated, someone who values self-improvement will take time to evaluate the criticism and adjust as necessary.
To most of us (myself included!), taking criticism with an open mind does not come naturaly. However, if we want to be wise, we have to learn to ask ourselves if what is being said is true. If it is, we must be thanful for others who want to see us grow.
So, what does this have to do with writing, and being a beta reader?
Put yourself in this situation: your friend has been hard at work for months writing their very first novel. Every week, you hear them go on and on about how much love, effort, and care they have put into their story.
Then, the day comes: it’s finished. As their closest friend, they share a copy with you to review, and give them your honest thoughts.
You read it and…it’s not great. Not bad! Just not great. But, of course, you know how much it means to them, so you kindly and politely tell them how much you love it and can’t wait to see it published.
With renewed confidence, they take their book from publisher to publisher, who each, in turn, reject the manuscript. This goes on for months, until, defeated, your friend gives up altogether, never tasting success, and never growing as an author.
Now, in your attempt to be kind you were cruel. If, instead, you were willing to share with your friend honest criticism, they could have grown from it, and created a book publishers would have fought over.
Of course, it also takes the discretion of knowing whether your friend is open to criticism at all or not. Some people don’t care too much, and really just hope you enjoy the book. As a beta reader, it is crucial to know the difference.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember as a beta reader is to simply be honest!
2) Give Informed Criticism
Something that can be a bit frustrating as an author is when your audience fixates on the wrong thing.
Such was the case with Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”. A book that was meant to show the shortcomings of mid-industrial society and the plight of her people instead shocked consumers as to the horrors of the meat industry. Enough, in fact, to lead to legal changes in the way meat was handled and prepared.
Maybe your friend is writing a historical fiction, and they’ve asked you to see if the dialogue between characters feels organic. As you read, however, you notice a few things that seem off: inventions from the wrong time in history, maybe the wrong leader for the period. Someone really ought to tell them their mistake, right?
Honestly, the answer isn’t really clear cut, but there is a rule of thumb when noticing these types of issues: suspend your judgement until you have finished the story.
It’s more work for you, but it may even be best for you to read through the book once just to read and go through a second time with a more critical view.
It’s effort, but you were picked because you could be counted on, and isn’t it pretty special when your friends feel that way about you?
Beta reading is a lot like taking your kids on vacation: It can be fun, relaxing, and build a lot of great memories. however, there are still responsibilities involved. Also, beta reading is free : )
So, what does it mean to give “informed criticism?” Simply put, it means two things:
1. To be aware of what the author wants criticism on.
You may be reading something to make sure it wasn’t too similar to any other popular books, and partway through, you find that you don’t care for the relationship between two of the characters. Let’s say that they hate each other more than they should.
What you might find is that the author is aware that some people who read their story won’t care for some of what they have included. They may even know that you will not like it. Nevertheless, they may have asked for your help to see if the rest of the story was interesting enough to hold your attention.
When I was in college, the vice-president of the school shared with us a quote that sums up all advice and criticism: Unasked for advice is usually unheeded, and often resented.
It can be hard (especially if both of you are creative people), but when being a beta reader, it’s best to draw inside the lines.
2. To understand the topic which you are criticizing.
This one is more up to the author than the beta readers themselves, unless the reader was the one approaching the author asking to give criticism, instead of the author asking to receive it.
If you have to give an opinion on a topic you are not familiar with, don’t be afraid to say so! The author would much rather know that you don’t feel comfortable giving an opinion rather than receiving the bread-and-butter response of “It was really _____ (Positive Adjective)!”
Conversely, they may purposefully want an opinion from someone who doesn’t understand the topic. Maybe their historical fiction is supposed to also educate its readers into the time period. In which case, feel free!
At the end of the day, open and honest communication with the author is how you will give the best criticism.
3) Enjoy Yourself!
Being a critic is an honor. It is a title which denotes both the cultural taste and conventional understanding one possesses.
That being said, art, any art, is meant to be enjoyed. Whether it’s a renaissance painting, a burger-enthusiast’s sandwich, a Shakespearean poem, or a simple story, all art is created for the enjoyment of people everywhere.
Art is not meant to be elitist. It is not meant to be a secret understood by the wisest few.
There are many today, however, who would lead you to believe that art is only for the cultured few who understand it.
To them, I say-
“No. Bad. Stop telling people that.”
Just…No. Stop being such fancy-pants.
So next time you’re being asked to beta read, take time to enjoy the story! Don’t get so caught up in the perfection, concision, and flow of the work (though, these are important). Allow yourself to befriend the characters, to learn their stories, and see the world from their eyes.
And while you’re at it, take time to appreciate other forms of art! Many forms of art do take contemplation to enjoy, but I can assure you; they are worth it!
Not a big classical music person? Listen to a performance of The Creation by Haydn and listen to how the instruments intricately weave through one another, giving way each in turn, like the waves of the sea, yet, working together to create a melodious song, each sound not seeking to glorify itself, but the whole.
Or try making a culinary dish. The flavor may not be what you are used to, but at least once, eat as an artist, appreciating the mingling flavors as they dance across your palate, the tension between bitter and sour, resolved by the sweet, and heralded by an entourage of textures, and colors, and smells!
Art truly is a wonderful thing! And by being a beta reader, you learn more about what art is, what it means, and how it inspires.
About the author
Carter John Cada is the founder of and main author for Quips from the Quiver. In his free time, he loves to read, spend time with his 10 siblings, read, work out, read, work on his manuscript, read, and read.
He also enjoys eating.
