Please welcome Michael Mandrake

The Importance of a Great Beta

Michael Mandrake

Greetings fans! I’d like to thank Edward for having me on his blog today as we do a swap. I haven’t been here in a while. The place looks really different. *stretches arms and sits on the sofa*

Today, I’d like to share with you how important it is to have a critique partner or beta. Now, some of you say, what is a beta? Well, it’s a person who critiques and or edits your work before you send it to the publisher. This person, in many instances will call you to the carpet, hopefully nicely and respectful, and spot when your plot is off, when you’ve wrote something entirely silly, and also in some instances, correct your punctuation. Even though all are important, the one that sticks out more is your plot.

Does it make sense? Are you wandering aimlessly in storyland and boring the hell out of your reader? If this is the case, the beta is to tell you where this is going.

I’ll admit, I’m a newbie. *waives frantically* I’m okay with that too because in some of my much earlier stories I made some childish mistakes. Why? Because I didn’t have a beta and in a couple of situations, the proofer or editor didn’t catch the error and it made it to print. *bangs head on desk* But hey, it happens.

Now though, I’m very blessed to have a few beta’s. Some I’ve asked more than most. *looks in Edward’s direction and points* Your blog host has beta’d for me more than I can recall now and I am forever grateful. In the most respectful and kind way, he has told me what worked and what didn’t. In turn, I hope I’ve done a good job for him and made key points he could use. I love Edward’s work and appreciate everything he’s taught me.

I also have a few other authors and friends who’ve read for me and all of them I’ve definitely appreciated the feedback regardless of the tone. Some of them have been tough love which is cool because you really don’t want your beta to stroke you too much. Find the faults, celebrate the good stuff and give pointers. The key, again, is doing it respectfully.

These days, I’m not comfortable until I’ve let Ed or someone else read it before I send it in. I might pick on him a lot more than the others. *hides behind hand* but it’s only because I love his feedback more than most.

So, you know what it is. Now, authors, tell me what you think? Do you send your stories to a beta? Readers? Do you read for an author? Let me know some positive experiences!

I’d like to thank Ed for having me on today. *stands up and winks at Ed* Please make sure you drop by my place to see Ed. http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com

Links

The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!
Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com

Rawiya - http://rawiyaserotica.blogspot.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharitaLira
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690

Its Raining Men Blog - http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com

Here is a story that Ed Beta’d for me. My newest release, A Second Chance under my pename, Michael Mandrake.

Out Now

Publisher: XOXO Publishing

Author Michael Mandrake

Buylink: XOXO

Blurb: Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other’s proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

EXCERPT PG

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

“Pity,” Daniel said with a grin. “Maybe when you’ve recovered from your wild night?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I laughed, “Yeah, um…maybe…”

We’d broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?