Hi friends and happy Wednesday!
Writing can be very singular-focused. You’re the author, you wrote it, and often your eye sees what it expects to see, so you can miss typos or the use of the wrong word, but it goes much farther than that. Being so close to your own work, it’s often hard to step back and take a truly objective opinion. Being so tied into the romance and suspense threads (in romantic suspense novels), it’s hard to catch the small inaccuracies.
Yes, there are your editors who are invaluable, copyeditors and proofreaders who look for inaccuracies and typos, grammar, etc. My publisher’s editorial team is outstanding. However, having a brainstorming buddy to work through the editorial feedback before the next round of revisions, to walk through it and brainstorm the best way to achieve the story I want, is such a blessing. Inspired by Life and Fiction’s own, Becky Wade has been my friend, prayer partner, and brainstorming buddy as far back as I can remember. We just got done brainstorming the second book (title reveal coming soon) in my Jeopardy Falls series and the story will be all the better for it.
Having a brainstorming buddy whom you trust, who understands your voice and storytelling, and who you respect as an author is a gift. I hope you have one or God brings one into your life, as they add such amazing richness to the tapestry of story ideas.
I’m also greatly blessed by my beta readers. What are beta readers? They are avid readers of my books who so graciously offer to read it at its various stages and provide feedback and suggestions. They get my writing, and being avid readers, they understand the conventions of the genre. Their feedback is a huge help in improving my drafts, and I know they have the best hearts for helping me tell the best story I can.
I’ve been blessed by both brainstorming and beta readers on book number two. I can’t wait until its final draft is finished, and I can share Riley and Greyson’s story with you.
Question for you:
If you’re an author, do you brainstorm with a buddy and/or have beta readers?
If you’re a reader, have you been a beta reader, or is that something that would interest you?
As always, thanks for joining me this week
Best,
Dani
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As you know, Dani, our own Tamera Alexander has been my brainstorming buddy and writing critique partner for more than 20 years now. I don’t know how I’d write without her! And yes, it is SUCH a gift. I can’t wait to read the results of your and Becky’s brainstorming for your new book!
I think it’s great that you and Tammy have been together so long! I’m so excited about the brainstorming we came up with. Becky was a HUGE help.
Not an author, but i brainstorm regularly on other pursuits. Would love to be a beta reader. Have a question back at you — once a book has been published, do writers like / want feedback on “mistakes” as we perceive them? Can the issues be resolved in the digital version and/or the physical version on a later printing?
Your books bring me such joy! May God continue to bless you in your vocation but more importantly your calling.
Hi Marie,
Great question. If it’s a typo or let’s say the wrong name used, those errors can be fixed on future printings, I believe. Issues might be a bit harder to try and change. But great question.
I love to read romantic suspense. I believe I have read all of the Coastal Guardian series, and look forward to reading the Jeopardy Fall series. I have read and critiqued manuscripts before for authors in a local writing group. I would love to be a beta reader.
Awww. Thank you so much! Oh, that’s wonderful that you read and critique.. Being a beta reader is wonderful. It’s really done through natural connection through an author’s reader group on FB or via events where authors and readers meet. You could definitely look into that.
I don’t typically brainstorm with a buddy until I get stuck, but sometimes I’ll go to my reader group and ask them to help me brainstorm details like character names, titles, and sometimes even plot points. The longer I go in this publishing journey, though, the more I realize that creativity blossoms when multiple minds come together. I probably need to start engaging in it more often. Dipping my toes into the indie publishing sphere has me really appreciaating those beta readers. I never used them for my traditionally published books since I have a team built in, but they are essential for an indie book. Love those extra eyes!
Oh that’s so fun you brainstorm with your reader group. What a great idea! Absolutely essential. I 100% agree on indie books.
I wish I had a consistent brainstorming buddy, but the Lord hasn’t connected me with just the right person yet, I guess. I love that you and Becky have one another!
Aww. Yep. That’s hard waiting, but I’m sure the Lord will help you find the right person. Maybe even at a writing retreat in November 😉
I am an avid reader and have always wondered about how to become a beta reader. Something I would really like to do 😊
Hi Yvonne,
That’s great. I think that’s usually done by being in an author’s reader group on FB and getting to know the author or via events. Mine are readers that I’ve know for years and years, but we met at events. Hope that helps!
I don’t think I have been a beta reader but I have helped launch books. I really enjoyed it! I would love to be a beta reader.
That’s so awesome you help launch books! That’s a great way to support authors.
I have two brainstorming buddies: my brother and my daughter. They are both writers, too, and although we each write different genres, we lend each other an ear and ideas when we get stuck. We also beta-read for each other to check story flow and consistency.
That’s awesome.
Being a beta reader would be fun and sooo interesting! How do I get to be one?!