How to Handle Criticism From Beta Readers and Critiques
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
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I just sent my first two chapters to all my friends and one of them already replied to me, that she didn't like it. Did my heart skip a beat? Hell yeah it did! But luckily I found this video again and now I feel okay :D
I personally love heavy criticism because it shows me what I am doing wrong and what I should improve on in the future ahead.
I love it too! Now that is...it took me a while to get to this point haha.
I love all your advice. Thanks so much for helping me get through the struggles of being a writer.
You are so welcome! Happy writing :)
I found it helped to build up my immunity to criticism over time. The first time I sent my novel to a professional, it totally crushed my spirit, even though most of his feedback was positive. After that, I started sharing my work on Figment and getting advice that was more my level. After a year or so doing that, I had a reader say he flat-out HATED my novel and it didn't even phase me. I'm not very confident but I was kinda proud of myself for how thick my skin had grown.
That's so good! I'm surprised I've reached that point as well. I can almost feel that tug of desire to take offense, but that's it. I listen and digest it all now without complaint or defending the piece--a far cry from my first critiques growing up!
Hehe, yeah, you can't be one of those published authors who gets into fights with reviewers... That's just embarrassing for all concerned. :P
Great video :) Maybe a video on why some books start in the middle of all the action or right before the action or start with a description ect... and maybe ideas and how to start or open up your book? just some thoughts :)
Definitely, thank you for the suggestion!
I'm a couturier in addition to a writer. A couturier is someone who does couture sewing work. I'm considered to be pretty top-notch, and my hourly rate breaks down to a bit more than I made pre-recession in tech in Silicon Valley. I got as good as I am by pushing for honest reviews of my work. If someone says my work looks perfect, I ask for three things to make better, and push for three. I make note of those things, no matter how small, and apply it to what I make next. At times, we can be our own harshest critics due to insecurity, but at other times, we can see our work for better than it is due to being biased in favor of ourselves. The best way to improve is to ask for honest feedback, and to value it. Honest criticism is a lot harder to find than fake flattery.
Criticism is pain - but pain seeks to inform, not punish.
Quite true!
Not sure if you've covered this before, but lately I've seen a lot of questions in different forums like; "Should I publish my story on Wattpad? What if someone steals it?" And "How do I know I can trust my beta readers not to steal my book?" I figure it's not very likely to happen, but I don't know what to tell them. If you have any insight on this I'm sure a lot of people would appreciate it.
I read the second chapter of your book. I know I'm not a beta reader but I'm a HUGE fan of your humor in those "pages". One tip (just my opinion) is to sprinkle more of that humor in there. That chapter seems like it could peg Ben as a comic relief character and I think it's a good opportunity to showcase that. Maybe I'm thinking more in terms of a movie, though. Good luck! :)
Good tip! I've been stuck on who my comedic relief character would be, because the current one isn't seen much through the novel. The role seems to be shared among a few characters at the moment so I might focus on one character in my edits.
Beta readers can be poison. I recently exposed my manuscript to criticism, and the feedback was decent. I had one reader use my own words to tell me my story was pitiful. All she repeatedly wrote was, "Why do I care?" Then I had an old man who said I was am "amateur", but that if I "asked" he might teach me how to write something that is "publishable." The fool said every "to be" sentence was passive, yet he lectured me on how bad my grammar is. It took a lot of restraint to write back to them politely.
Well you know you're a mature person when you see honest criticism as a good thing.
Just like seeing problems in life as a way to improve one's character.
I wish I had more people who would have critiqued my novel but most people who read it loved it.
Sometimes, I wonder if they were just being nice to me.
If you find yourself writing a nasty reply, DO IT! In *WORD* (or whatever your word processor). You need to get it out; suppressing it may make matters worse for you later.
Man I wish I could throw my hat in as a possible beta for you. I'm in the middle of the critique process with two other people and I know I wouldn't be able to give your story the attention it deserves. Do let us know if/when round two of betas happens! Then I am hella on board! ;)
I feel like years of live theatre prepped me to take criticism really well haha
I will definitely let you know! I'm sorry you missed out on this round!
Me too. Sadness! Eh, I'll just make all the other betas do the hard work, so when I get it it is nearly perfect *nods*
I can't handle criticism. Only tell me what I wanna hear.
Great video and wonderful advice. :) Jealous you're in Hawaii, you wanna swap? You stay here in N.E. Scotland and I'll enjoy the sunshine in the glorious state of Hawaii. LOL.
Omg, I would LOVE to go to Scotland! I have a trip coming up to Spain in a couple months - can you believe I'm trying to weasel out of that one? I'm so travelled out this year >.
I’ve recently received a series of 3 star reviews for a short story collection. I could have wept I didn’t get a 5-star review or I could see what they say and see what I can take away from it. They had some great insights to share although one of the biggest takeaways has been that some people think it’s a sequential book rather than a series of independently existing short stories. I think that has been very eye opening although I’m also happy to see that some of their insights in volume 1 I’m already integrating in volume 2 of the Daydreams on the Sherbet Shore.
It's definitely hard to receive criticism like this! With beta reading, you've prepared yourself for comments, but reviews kind of come at you out of the blue. I'm glad some of their feedback was constructive and you seemed to take something away from it :)
Vivien Reis I think I'm emotionally prepared to receive a bad review but to see that even if you explain it, some things don't come across, that does make you ponder. I replied to each of the reviews on Goodreads though, thanked, and did take a lot on board. We'll see if Volume 2 properly addresses those issues :)
Boy, am I glad I found you. Jenna Moreci is good people, but you're MUCH easier to listen to and take in.
Aww, thank you so much!
Thank you for this video! I've been having trouble lately knowing if certain critiques are ones that should be applied or if it's completely taking my style and emotion out of it. How do you tell?
First time I'm so early!
Woo!
You've probably been asked this question a million times :D Do you write your chapters on a paper first and then just rewrite them on a computer?
The "Ken Lee" girl was not Asian. She was a European turk.
I admit, I can't find her true ethnicity online. Her nationality is Bulgarian - where did you find that she's a European Turk? I can add a correction to the video real quick.
Vivien Reis Her name is Hasan. Thats a turkish name. + She speaks with a distinct accent. I'm from that country, I watched the show when it first aired.
Dude you just missed EXO leaving Hawaii....
No hate. I lived in Honolulu for 6 months. 8)
Is the name beta reader given to someone who is just a non professional reader ?
Not necessarily. Some beta-readers are paid for their services (something I don't think anyone should do, but that's obviously my own opinion), and some professional editors volunteer for beta reading for fellow writing friends.
Thank you for clearing that out..I was confused:)
7:03 "Be sure to subscribe to my channel, if you already haven't" Sorry, I'm a jerk XD
I feel like you will probably watch this video at least once during your beta reader phase good luck to you
I don't doubt it :)