Whether you start writing a book publicly, with an announcement and great fanfare, sharing the information with all of your friends, or as a secret project you tell no one about, there will come a day when you need outside feedback.
You may want to publish, and only by asking for help will your manuscript achieve what you want it to achieve.
Or, you may simply have been working so long on your project you’ve lost all perspective and have no idea anymore whether your concepts are rubbish or verifiably useful to someone else. You’re caught in the echo chamber of your own head.
When we’re in the middle of a situation, we often don’t see it for what it is. The same goes for that book we’re writing. #writerslife #evaluation Share on XWhen we’re in the middle of a situation, we often don’t see it for what it is. The same goes for that book we’re writing.
Time for backup!
It’s the start of a new year, so give your book a fresh start. Today we’re going to talk about two valuable, though different kinds of outside feedback and how you might start the process: beta readers and a professional manuscript evaluation.
A sign you may need help: the solo feedback loop
As you write your book, eventually you may give in to the temptation to go back to the beginning, and “fix” it.
Unfortunately, after you tweak one paragraph, you need to fix the next one, and then the next chapter… By the time you return to where you left off, a lot of time has gone by, you’re tired, and you may have arrived at another thought evolution that sends you back to the beginning once more.
Writers get stuck in the solo feedback loop thinking they’re being productive, but in reality, this is a great way to never finish your book. #writerslife #editing #evaluation Share on X
I call this the solo feedback loop.
Writers get stuck in the solo feedback loop thinking they’re being productive, but in reality, this is a great way to never finish your book.
Furthermore, the more you play this game, the more likely you are to question any writing choices you make. Maybe the first way you said it was better? You can’t stop second-guessing yourself.
The solo feedback loop is a symptom you need outside help.
Solution #1: Beta Readers
I’ve written more about beta readers and how to work with them. Just as the world of software uses beta testers to try out apps before they are fully ready for market, beta readers read your manuscript before you’re ready go publish—often, before you go to an editor.
Beta readers don’t take the place of an editor. But their insights as “average” readers will help you gut-check whether your book is on course (provided you choose them wisely). This is not about grammar, but about storytelling.
How to get feedback from beta readers
- Be intentional. Not every reader gives good feedback. Choose someone you know can provide useful information. People who will only gush, or people you know will hate it, are not useful to you.
- Be selective. Don’t splatter the manuscript across the countryside of your friendships. Too many opinions are counterproductive. Choose two to three readers, at any one time, max.
- Ask for specific, yet open-ended feedback. For instance, “I’d love to hear what you think about the beginning,” or “I want to make sure this concept is clear; let me know what you think” directs your readers to provide information you desire. They’ll have other thoughts too and can share them, but provide a starting point. Make sure your questions are NOT yes/no answers.
- Realize that this is a favor. Respect the fact that they may say no—for many reasons. They don’t have time; don’t want to jeopardize their relationship with you; they don’t feel like it.
- Avoid arguing. Listen to their answers and ask clarifying questions if you need to, but don’t try to prove your point if you disagree with what they say. You are receiving information. What you do with that is your business, not theirs.
Solution #2: Manuscript Evaluation
You may also (or instead) hire an editor to do a manuscript evaluation. This type of read can also appear under the names “critique” or “diagnostic.”
A manuscript evaluation is a high-level assessment of your work in progress. Evaluations may include a sample edit of a certain number of pages, as well as a report on the manuscript. While an evaluation is not an edit, it clarifies what you’re doing right and what could be made better, from the viewpoint of a professional who knows a lot about books (preferably having worked on lots of books).
While an evaluation is not an edit, it clarifies what you’re doing right and what could be made better. #writingtip #editingtip Share on X
A good evaluation will provide you with suggestions on how to deal with any problems in terms of concept, structure, content, style, and formatting, and make recommendations for future editing. By nature, this process is more structured than working with beta readers.
How to get feedback from a professional evaluation
- Seek out editors with an eye to what genres they work with. Good editors can give cross-genre insights, but there are some tropes and expectations that someone experienced in your genre is more likely to be familiar with.
- Choose a professional. Your godmother’s best friend’s fiancé might be a nice person who got good grades in English class, but you want someone with professional experience in book publishing.
- Vet your editor by talking to them about your project. They’re going to want to see a sample to check the book is a good fit for them, and you’ll want to talk to them to make sure they’re a good interpersonal fit for you.
- Once you’ve chosen an editor, don’t invite anyone else to the party. Let them do their work. Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the stew.
As with beta readers, you may disagree with what you hear, so be sure to choose an editor whose input and expertise you respect. Ideally, you want someone you can discuss these differences with after the read-through.
The bottom line
At a certain point, you won’t make forward progress on your book by trying to do it all yourself. You will never, no matter how good you get, ever see the whole forest for the trees. The most famous and well-respected authors that you know all solicit outside feedback. It’s how you get out of the solo feedback loop and the echo chamber of your own head. Start the year off right, and ask for backup.
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Want a dispassionate look at your work in progress? Get a manuscript evaluation!
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