by Guest Blogger |
What exactly is a Beta Reader, and why should you care? The term ‘beta’ is borrowed from the software industry, meaning the beta ‘tests’ (reads) your full, finished manuscript to help you eliminate ‘bugs’ (problems) before it’s published. Here’s a more official online definition I like: “An alpha reader or beta reader, also a pre-reader or critiquer, is a non-professional reader who reads a written work, generally fiction, with the intent of looking over material to find and improve elements such as grammar and spelling, as well as suggestion to improve the story, its characters, or its setting.”
All true, but they left out the most important benefit.
Beta readers are invaluable to your writing. Here’s why…
by Guest Blogger |
When asked why he wrote horror stories, Stephen King once said that he wrote about the things that scared him the most.
He went on to say, writing horror stories was therapeutic in a way; a method to overcome his own insecurities and phobias.
by Guest Blogger |
I hear from writers about your struggles all the live long day. Many problems (doubt, procrastination, perfectionism) have the same solution — it takes time, patience and practice to improve your craft. However, there’s one common writing mistake that gives me chills every time because it’s harder to help…
![“The Change” by Tom Farr [story]](https://thewritepractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/the-change.png)
by Guest Blogger |
Earlier this month, sixty writers submitted stories to the Wordhaus Writing contest, which we co-hosted with Wordhaus Literary Magazine. Today, I’m honored to present the winning story, “The Change” by Tom Farr. Wordhaus has published the finalists, and so make sure to subscribe to their magazine here. If you’d like to participate in future contests like this, make sure to sign up for the Becoming Writer waiting list. We will be re-opening the community on Monday. Enjoy the story!
by Guest Blogger |
A writer friend I know adores her hero and heroine so much that she’s afraid of hurting them. She realizes her story reads flat, but can’t seem to put any real obstacles in their paths, despite the depth it would add to their journeys and the improved experience for her readers. Another writer recently told me he dislikes dark books, characters, plots, anything. He feels that life has enough suffering and not enough happiness.
I agree there’s too much pain in this world, but I also believe there’s a bigger discussion that needs to take place here at The Write Practice.
In my opinion, your #1 responsibility as a writer is…
