Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing

This series of interviews on the use of beta readers in the development of manuscripts for publication has been interesting and informative. While the range of usage of beta readers is varied, it is heartening to see that published authors also need input into their manuscripts as well as the new, unpublished novel writers.

For new writers, it is worthwhile to note that those more experienced novelists find critique useful in the writing process. It is also important to understand that accepting feedback on our work is part of learning the craft. To be able to take frank and fair feedback and look at your work dispassionately, is essential for growth as a writer. Few of us, I think, are amazing geniuses whose first act of putting pen to paper reveals a masterpiece. It has taken me quite a few years to realise that. (I knew I wasn’t a genius but it took me a while to figure out there are people who can just create something fantastic with seeming little effort.)

More established writers find that there are other challenges awaiting them such as looming deadlines and the continual time poor situation that creates. Writers who have deadlines and publishing schedules (and all the other things like family, friends and events to go to) do not have the same amount of time to sit on their manuscript and ponder various aspects of the story, characters and narrative as they did when they were trying to get published. For example, I began writing Dragon Wine in 2005 and while I have not consistently worked on it I have had seven years to think about it.

Experience grows with each publication and it is heartening to know that the humble reader can contribute something to the creative process as well as assist the writer to make the manuscript the best it can be in the short time available. For example, both Glenda Larke and D.B. Jackson mentioned that they did not use beta readers as much in their early careers but are finding them more essential at their careers develop. Also, other writers such as Margo Lanagan, Maxine McArthur, Tansy Rayner Roberts, Marianne De Pierres and Richard Harland have benefited from a consistent and professional approach to critiquing each other’s work through their ROR group over many years.

As a writer myself, I find receiving critique useful on many levels. For example, my big, gaping need to know if my story is working on some level and then to find out what’s not working so I can think of ways to fix it. Sometimes, talking to people about a story can identify a problem, which can lead to a raft of ideas to improve the story. Like many of the writers interviewed said— they were happy to hear what the issue might be, but don’t necessarily told how to fix it. Also writing is a very solitary occupation and when unpublished provides all too few rewards or acknowledgements. Feedback in this respect can work as a stopgap, a sort of pat on the back when hearing the good things and reminder that you have more work to do on hearing the bits that aren’t working so well. If you think about it, writers write stories to share and to provide enjoying to their readers generally (well some write to scare the bejesus out of them). So having someone read your work is sharing the work and finding out they enjoyed it can imbue one with an inner glow. I was chatting to Glenda Larke recently after I sent her some feedback. I really didn’t have too much to say, just a few thoughts and feelings, but she said she welcomed them because it helped her make the story the best it can be.

Personally, I found Ian McHugh’s interview as a beta reader very informative (as I thought I would)  and I borrowed some of his ideas for my most recent feedback on a novel I was beta reading.

As part of the wrap up, I would also like to thank the writers who gave freely of their time to answer the questions.

I hope this series of blog interviews on beta readers has been useful and as interesting to you as I have found it. The feedback I have received has been positive in this regard. I will have to put my thinking cap on about other interesting blogs. I have a couple of author interviews in mind so we will see.

Warning. The bulk of this post was dictated. I try to make sure there are no glaring errors but sometimes they slip my guard.