007 - Beta Reading
After bouts of illness, work travel, and an extended period that can only be described as “no dopamine, only adrenaline,” there’s finally a new episode! Steph and Trevor catch up about progress on their projects and then dive into the topic of having other people read your work. What is beta reading? Why is what Steph and Trevor do for one another not really beta reading? How do we get betas and apply feedback? How do you find the note within the note? What other roles are there for people reading your work? And why is this rhetorical question format what we landed on for the episode description?
Additional Reading
What is a Beta Reader? How to Find and Work With an Author’s Best Friend (reedsy.com)
Alpha and Beta Readers: What Are They and Why Bother? (ingramspark.com)
6 Tips for Working With Beta Readers - 2024 - MasterClass
What Is Developmental Editing? The Writer's Guide to Developmental Editing (thewritepractice.com)
Stephanie’s Recommendation
Starter Villain (Audiobook) - Jon Scalzi
“The performance [Wil Wheaton] gives is perfect. At the time I was listening, I was commuting to my mom’s apartment to work from her place… I’m pretty sure people thought I was insane because I was laughing and trying not to be the crazy person on the bus. This one hit all the right notes for me.”
Trevor’s Recommendation
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Amazon Prime)
“There are very specific writing things that I absolutely adore. First, it’s a masterclass in generating buy-in from the audience… If you are thinking about having some wild stuff happening with your setting, watch what they do in Mr. and Mrs. Smith to generate buy-in. Second, it is espionage nonsense, there are very heightened situations… but the way they keep naturalistic dialogue and characterization in those moments is just *chef’s kiss.*”