I love those beta reader questions!! I’ve been asking for comp titles for the book I’ve barely started querying because I feel like my comp titles right now aren’t very good. I also always ask what they thought of the characters. My book is novel 1 in a trilogy, so I’m curious what they think of each character since I know how the story will end at the end of book 3 and what will be revealed!
Comps are so tricky! And everyone has a different opinion about how important they are it seems. I'm still not 100% on the second comp I have but hopefully I'll figure that out before actually query. I hope you find some good ones too!
Yeah, I struggle with how to decide, like comps based on genre/writing style/characters etc. My novel is post-apocalyptic so Station Eleven feels like an obvious choice but it has some major differences from my story. Comps are so hard lol
Congrats on all your progress! I know the frustration of wanting to move on to the next phase already, and it sounds like you're so close.
I haven't been through the full beta process yet but I'm working from a spreadsheet on my current draft and finding it enormously helpful to see everything in one place, including word count (so I can see at a glance where there's room to add or shift things) + the cadence of general themes and metaphors, pacing of major plot points, any outstanding ideas or questions, etc. It felt counterintuitive at first (a spreadsheet for art?? lol) but now I think a spreadsheet will be a permanent part of my writing process (probably after the first draft.)
Thank you, Liana! Yeah its interesting how something as unsexy as a spreadsheet can be to the process! But I mean, it’s so much to organize! How else? Haha
I feel the same! A spreadsheet for edits has been so helpful for me too. I stole a template from another writer and it's been a game changer. I don't feel as overwhelmed knowing it's all there in one place. And I'm right there with you! I've rewritten the beginning 5 chapters so many times! I was having pacing issues too. It was too slow so I ended up cutting a lot which felt surprisingly liberating.
My feedback experience with my beta reader is similar to yours! She read the whole thing, offering big picture changes and characterization notes. I also exchange chapters individually with some genre writers which is an entirely different experience and something new to me. It's lovely for making sure each chapter can stand on its own but not as helpful for capturing that big picture.
In the past month of April, I've received feedback from six beta readers on my book-length memoir of growing up as a motherless only child and trying to accept, or not accept, what my life actually was versus what I thought it should be. I'm grateful to them for suggesting places where I should insert some adult/author insight. I worked so hard at staying "in the kid voice" that I missed some places where perspective is needed. My ending needs work and I knew that, so I'm glad for corroboration. My opening pages also could use more action -- but it's up to me to decide what "action" means. I need to write a post about this. Like you, I used a questionnaire. But I also received in-document comments. Thanks for your post.
Apr 30·edited Apr 30Liked by Kailey Brennan DelloRusso
Thank you for the feedback questions (Thanks as well Tamar!)
The best feedback I got from my work was that they wanted to know more (why is this happening?) and also they loved the scene they read. All the other feedback is understandable as I am not a pro, pacing, word use, etc. but the strengths is where we can confirm that the idea, the story has something in it. Everything else can be fixed
You’re so close! I deeply understand the feeling of not wanting to wait and wishing someone would tell you you’re ready for the next step. But taking your time at this stage is so smart and I don’t think you’ll regret it. All you can do is take it as far as you can on your own, then you’ll know it’s time to send it off!
Thank you for saying that! I think it’s the right move to. I don’t want to put in all these years of work only to send it off when it’s not ready! We are getting there
I love the idea of the spreadsheet, keeping in mind for the future!
Would love to know if it works for you. I like it a lot so far!
I love those beta reader questions!! I’ve been asking for comp titles for the book I’ve barely started querying because I feel like my comp titles right now aren’t very good. I also always ask what they thought of the characters. My book is novel 1 in a trilogy, so I’m curious what they think of each character since I know how the story will end at the end of book 3 and what will be revealed!
Comps are so tricky! And everyone has a different opinion about how important they are it seems. I'm still not 100% on the second comp I have but hopefully I'll figure that out before actually query. I hope you find some good ones too!
Yeah, I struggle with how to decide, like comps based on genre/writing style/characters etc. My novel is post-apocalyptic so Station Eleven feels like an obvious choice but it has some major differences from my story. Comps are so hard lol
Congrats on all your progress! I know the frustration of wanting to move on to the next phase already, and it sounds like you're so close.
I haven't been through the full beta process yet but I'm working from a spreadsheet on my current draft and finding it enormously helpful to see everything in one place, including word count (so I can see at a glance where there's room to add or shift things) + the cadence of general themes and metaphors, pacing of major plot points, any outstanding ideas or questions, etc. It felt counterintuitive at first (a spreadsheet for art?? lol) but now I think a spreadsheet will be a permanent part of my writing process (probably after the first draft.)
Thank you, Liana! Yeah its interesting how something as unsexy as a spreadsheet can be to the process! But I mean, it’s so much to organize! How else? Haha
I feel the same! A spreadsheet for edits has been so helpful for me too. I stole a template from another writer and it's been a game changer. I don't feel as overwhelmed knowing it's all there in one place. And I'm right there with you! I've rewritten the beginning 5 chapters so many times! I was having pacing issues too. It was too slow so I ended up cutting a lot which felt surprisingly liberating.
My feedback experience with my beta reader is similar to yours! She read the whole thing, offering big picture changes and characterization notes. I also exchange chapters individually with some genre writers which is an entirely different experience and something new to me. It's lovely for making sure each chapter can stand on its own but not as helpful for capturing that big picture.
I'm glad you said it felt liberating because even though I'm kind of dreading it, I also am excited in a weird way haha
In the past month of April, I've received feedback from six beta readers on my book-length memoir of growing up as a motherless only child and trying to accept, or not accept, what my life actually was versus what I thought it should be. I'm grateful to them for suggesting places where I should insert some adult/author insight. I worked so hard at staying "in the kid voice" that I missed some places where perspective is needed. My ending needs work and I knew that, so I'm glad for corroboration. My opening pages also could use more action -- but it's up to me to decide what "action" means. I need to write a post about this. Like you, I used a questionnaire. But I also received in-document comments. Thanks for your post.
Opening pages really seem to the common place of revision!
Thank you for the feedback questions (Thanks as well Tamar!)
The best feedback I got from my work was that they wanted to know more (why is this happening?) and also they loved the scene they read. All the other feedback is understandable as I am not a pro, pacing, word use, etc. but the strengths is where we can confirm that the idea, the story has something in it. Everything else can be fixed
This is so useful!
I'm coming up to the beta reading stage for my novel, and this is super useful for how to make the most of that opportunity!
You’re so close! I deeply understand the feeling of not wanting to wait and wishing someone would tell you you’re ready for the next step. But taking your time at this stage is so smart and I don’t think you’ll regret it. All you can do is take it as far as you can on your own, then you’ll know it’s time to send it off!
Thank you for saying that! I think it’s the right move to. I don’t want to put in all these years of work only to send it off when it’s not ready! We are getting there
Exactly!! You've worked too hard to rush to the finish line. (Says someone who is never NOT rushing to the finish line hahah)