Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing

Joanne Anderton is an exciting new writer. Her first novel Debris  (Angry Robot Books) was nominated for an Aurealis Award this year. She is also up for best new talent at the Ditmars and her novel Debris is up for a gong. You can find out more about Joanne here.

1. How many beta readers do you have and how long have you used beta readers in your writing process?

The number of beta readers I have can be a bit fluid – it depends on what I’m working on. Sometimes I’ll need more or different eyes on a short story or a book. As I meet new writers and get to know them, I’ll take the opportunity to read their work and perhaps have mine read in turn. It’s always good to bring fresh blood into the beta reading gene pool! But I have a solid core of two amazing beta readers who are tough on my words and generous with their time. These two amazing women have stuck with me for years — for instance, they’ve read ALL the Veiled World books, and some of them twice! I’ve used beta readers since I first joined the Online Writing Workshop for SFF, many years ago. This online community introduced me to critiquing, taught me how to give and take, and through them I met many wonderful writers who remain my friends and beta readers to this day.

2. In what ways do beta readers assist you in developing your novel for publication?

Beta reader feedback is invaluable. They see things that I do not — plot holes, boring parts, big picture stuff. They notice problems that I’ve been trying to ignore, and don’t let me get away until I fix them. They bring fresh ideas to a story, help me see paths or themes or twists and turns that I would never have seen on my own. They’re also encouraging. They support me through the bad times and celebrate with me through the good ones. A good beta reader is like a good personal trainer! They keep me honest, make me work to the best of my ability and then push me that little bit further.

3. Do all your beta readers pick up the same points?

Yes and no. Most of the time no — and that’s the joy of getting different opinions. Everyone comes to a story from their own perspective, everyone sees different things. But when they DO pick up on the same points, then that’s like a little alarm. These points need work, they need attention.

4. Do you sometimes target your beta readers to particular areas based on the experience you had with them in the past? For example, one reader is good at plot holes, another reader is good at grammatical issues and another might be good at style. Or do you take what comes? 

Mostly I take what comes. I am grateful for any and all reactions. I do take genre and content into account though. If I know one of my readers isn’t too keen on really gruesome horror, for example, I try not to inflict that on them too much!

5. Do you always want the same thing from the beta reader for each novel? For example, when you have deadlines and only have time for high-level feedback? 

I tend to send novels out at a particular stage — a couple of drafts in. I’ve already gone through it a few times. Tidied up the first draft mess and made my own changes to things I thought weren’t working, such as plot holes, character issues and structural problems. I want it to read as smoothly as possible — I haven’t used a fine tooth comb on it yet, but I don’t want to send them crap either! And then I just ask them to have at it. Do their worst! That’s always worked in the past, but I have been fortunate when it comes to deadlines and haven’t yet been in a position where I’ve had to do it differently.

6. How hard is it to find a good beta reader?

I haven’t found it difficult at all. Holding on to the people I met in the OWW has helped me a lot. It takes a little time, in my experience, to get into a good beta reading groove with someone. To understand where they and their feedback are coming from. But that’s a wonderful part of the process, and one that can teach you a lot about your writing and your own critiquing style.

7. Do you have any advice for readers who want to be beta readers or even editors in the long run? For example, what type of commentary to you prefer?

Listen to your feelings — if you’re reading and something niggles you, don’t just keep going. Stop and think. What’s niggling me, why is it niggling, how can I communicate that? Be specific. Give suggestions — I’ve found that even a passing remark from some of my readers can set off sparks of inspiration in my brain. Don’t just mention the things that don’t work, talk also about the parts that do. And, hopefully, enjoy the process!

Thank you Joanne. I’m so glad you could join the interview series. I like your take on holding onto beta readers and how you treasure them. I worry that repeated requests will tire them out (even though I do treasure them).

Donna