Dimitri Tishler and MelanieConklin compiled a nice list of tips for beta readers. I’ve taken a lot of
their suggestions and added in several of my own to create a Beta Reader
Critique Guide (see below). I place the guide at the front of the manuscript
so that it’s the first thing beta readers see. It includes a personalized note at
the top, thanking them in advance for taking time to read my book. Then I put the beta reader critique form at the back of the book so it's the first thing they see when they finish reading. And they can
summarize their thoughts for each of the major categories. My example below is
for beta readers with hard copies but is easily modified for electronic
versions of your manuscript.
I don’t claim my Beta
Reader Critique Guide is perfect or complete, but it’s a fantastic jump start
if you’re wondering where to begin. I’d love to hear from those who have done
something similar. If you have tips you’d add to this, leave a comment. The goal is to
help beta readers understand what to look for as they read your book. I have no
expectation that anyone will critique my book on every single point listed in
the guide. But I do believe this will help new beta readers give a more
thoughtful critique than they otherwise might have.
BETA READERS
I hope you enjoy reading HOWIE & THE PRINCE OF GREED. Please
feel free to mark up the manuscript as you read. If you find a mistake, circle
it. If something doesn't make sense, circle it and let me know. Write in the
margins or at the end of chapters or use the survey at the end of the book to
summarize your thoughts. Or you can type out your feedback and email it to me.
Whatever works best for you. To help
get the creative juices flowing, I’m looking for any feedback you have to offer
regarding the main topics described below:
-
Plot /
Story Pacing
o
Does each scene have a natural flow to it or do
they move too fast or too slow?
o
Are the transitions between scenes smooth or are
they clunky and disjoined?
o
Do chapters start and end well, make you want to
keep reading?
o
Are the scenes authentic and believable –
keeping in mind this is a fantasy novel?
o
Does the plot surprise you? Disappoint you? Is
it too predictable?
o
Are there enough action scenes? Do they create
enough excitement?
o
Is the plot too predictable or are there nice
surprises along the way?
o
Is there any payoff (sense of satisfaction) for
reading this book? Is there closure?
-
Grammar /
Dialogue / Structure
o Does
the story show you or tell you what’s happening?
o Is
the passive voice (was, would, etc.) too excessive?
o Are
there too many cliché phrases? Or too many adverbs (words ending in “ly”)
o Is
the dialogue differentiated from one character to the next? Are you aware of
which characters are speaking by the identity of the dialogue?
o
Is the dialogue smooth and interesting or is it
stiff and clunky?
o
Does the book read easy or are you pulled out of
the story by frequent mistakes?
o
Who does my writing most remind you of?
-
Character
development
o
Is it easy to identify with or remember each the
main characters? Or are there some characters you have a hard time following or
remembering? Who they are?
o
Are there any minor characters which seem over
or under developed - how?
o
The story is written from the viewpoint of Howie
- does the view point ever stray?
o
Are the characters believable? Do you care
about any of them? Do they do things that seem illogical?
o
Who is your favorite character and why? Who is
your least favorite character and why?
-
Theme /
Symbol / Metaphor
o
Do you like the spiritual or religious themes
which underpin this story or do you find them intrusive and uninteresting?
o
Does the incorporation of Native American
culture and mythology come across as authentic – what worked or didn’t work for
you?
o
Does the Lenpe language used in the book help or
hinder the story, was it written in a way that made it easy to understand or
did you find it disruptive?
o
Does the medallion come across as a believable
object of power in the context of the story? Did the medallion’s connection to
Lenape and Christian culture/topics help or hurt the story?
-
World
Building / Setting
o
Can you visualize the scenes being described?
o
Do the scenes get bogged down in too much detail?
o
Is the setting or environment believable and
authentic?
o
Does the setting enhance or distract from the
story?
-
BETA READER CRITIQUE – 8 Questions
Thank you for reading or attempting to read my book. A
writer is nothing without readers. Please be honest with your feedback. Specific
examples of what worked and what didn’t will give me the best chance at making
improvements and of the book being successful. Please refer to the front page
of the manuscript for a detailed description of questions you can answer within
each feedback category covered in questions 4-8 of this survey.
- Did you finish reading the book (circle the correct answer): Yes or No
- Please rate HOWIE & THE PRINCE OF GREED as you would on Amazon (circle your answer).
- One Star
- Two Stars
- Three Stars
- Four Stars
- Five Stars
- Write a brief critique that you might leave if you were posting this to Amazon or Goodreads right now (your comments will not be published or used without permission).
- Summarize your thoughts around story plot and story pace.
- Summarize your thoughts around character development.
- Summarize your thoughts on grammar, dialogue, and structure.
- Summarize your thoughts on the story’s theme, symbolism, or metaphor.
- Summarize your thoughts on the story’s setting (world building).
4 comments:
This is great.
Could I use this, or do you prefer that I don't? (I will not use it, if you say you don't want to)
Elias - have at it! My main reason for posting it was to make it available to other writers. What are you working on?
Wow, Ben, this is great! Thanks for posting and so generously sharing!
Thanks, Lyn! I'm glad you find it helpful. Best of luck.
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