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Beta Project Q&A 2009

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Puma

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Since the launch thread is pretty long, I thought it might be good to start a new thread for questions (or comments) now that we all have our assignments. If you need help with anything (like how to crit items in a locked thread), post them here. Puma
 

Bufty

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Am I right in thinking that if a particular submission is to receive, say, three crits, none of these crits -or any other crits for that piece outside the Project - will be posted until all three are available?
 

Puma

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I don't think Katie will post any crits until after her crit receipt deadline, even if all three are back in. We all know that crits given can influence following crits. So I don't think we'll see any crits until about Jan. 25 at the earliest. Katie can correct me if I'm wrong. Puma
 

euclid

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I didn't think the crits would be posted. I thought they were just for the consumption of the writer.

I've finished my three and posted them in PM's to Katie.

Now I'm going to go back and read some of the other 48 entries.

I've enjoyed the experience so far.
 

Fenika

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I have a rambling question.

First off, I noticed the formatting sometimes didn't make it through and sometimes did. So I was going to paste my 3 assignments into word and get the font and spacing to my liking. Once there I was going to use track changes (though I could prolly think of some other way).

So, the question. Is it possible to use track changes and pass around a word file? Or should I work out my edits in forum code somehow (the only way I can think to do that is start a new thread, edit my entry, and pray I don't accidentally send the thread....)
 

katiemac

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Am I right in thinking that if a particular submission is to receive, say, three crits, none of these crits -or any other crits for that piece outside the Project - will be posted until all three are available?

I'm not going to share any of the critiques until past the deadline date. Last time we did this, I was sending critiques back to the authors as I received them. Unfortunately, that inspired some not to critique anyone else's work, because they already received help with theirs. Since this is a mutually beneficial project, you'll receive your critiqued works back only if I get critiques you've done on other people's work. To make sure everything comes through, I'll wait until the deadline.

I have a rambling question.

First off, I noticed the formatting sometimes didn't make it through and sometimes did. So I was going to paste my 3 assignments into word and get the font and spacing to my liking. Once there I was going to use track changes (though I could prolly think of some other way).

So, the question. Is it possible to use track changes and pass around a word file? Or should I work out my edits in forum code somehow (the only way I can think to do that is start a new thread, edit my entry, and pray I don't accidentally send the thread....)

Some of the formatting you see in those posts is how it was sent to me in the PM in the first place. So, all the formatting "got through," it just depended on how it was sent to me.

I've already had one person send me critiques back where track changes did not appear in the copy/pasted PM. Formatting with the forum code is probably your best bet, unless you're more technologically savvy than me and know how to make it work.
 

katiemac

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I didn't think the crits would be posted. I thought they were just for the consumption of the writer.

This was a question someone asked in the Beta Project Launches! thread. Some people think seeing everyone's drafts and critiques could be a good learning experience. (I agree.) If everyone is okay with the critiques posting (still anonymously), then I'll post them.

It also gives you an idea of other people's beta-ing styles, so you could approach someone who didn't work on your piece.
 

euclid

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Katie:

I'm happy with that. No problems. No objections. It all sounds good to me.

Amazed at the number of YA and fantasy submissions! The whole world seems to be writing these just now!
 

katiemac

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Katie:

I'm happy with that. No problems. No objections. It all sounds good to me.

Amazed at the number of YA and fantasy submissions! The whole world seems to be writing these just now!

Yes, there are a lot! So if anyone wrote to me that you didn't normally read YA or fantasy ... there may be a chance you ended up with one, anyway. Those were the most popular genres by far.
 

Sage

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Oh, so I had a question. Since we have the reverse beta requesting now (the crittee can ask the critter), is it expected that we crit the five pages the same way we would beta read? Last time, I remember tackling the first three pages very intensely with line-by-line critting. But that's not how I would beta read for someone. Is it expected that we'll do the same level of critting for the whole book as we would for five pages?
 

katiemac

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Oh, so I had a question. Since we have the reverse beta requesting now (the crittee can ask the critter), is it expected that we crit the five pages the same way we would beta read? Last time, I remember tackling the first three pages very intensely with line-by-line critting. But that's not how I would beta read for someone. Is it expected that we'll do the same level of critting for the whole book as we would for five pages?

You're free to critique the excerpts however you like. It's probably best to keep in mind that someone would ask you to be their beta based on the feedback you give them. Similarly, if you like what you read, you're more than welcome to ask someone if you can be their beta.
 

Sage

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I have a rambling question.

First off, I noticed the formatting sometimes didn't make it through and sometimes did. So I was going to paste my 3 assignments into word and get the font and spacing to my liking. Once there I was going to use track changes (though I could prolly think of some other way).

So, the question. Is it possible to use track changes and pass around a word file? Or should I work out my edits in forum code somehow (the only way I can think to do that is start a new thread, edit my entry, and pray I don't accidentally send the thread....)
Track changes won't work, but I've never had any problem copying and pasting from a word file into a PM, when, say, half the words are blue, and having it show up that way.
 

Shady Lane

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I did my edits in bold, so they would show up in a PM. Track changes didn't work, which was depressing.
 

Sage

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New question! (I'm full of them :))

Are we dealing with the hooks at all in our critiques, or only the first five pages?
 

euclid

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I ignored the hook. In the first place, because I wanted to read the piece without prior knowledge (as I would as a reader). I read the hook after I had finished with the crit and didn't crit the hook.

That's a great phrase, btw.

"Hey, Cap'n this looks look a good spot."
"Aye, lad. Weigh the anchor and crit the hook."
 
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Puma

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I plan to look at the hook and make comments if it seems appropriate. You can write a wonderful story and kill your chances with a ho hum hook in the query. If that's the case in what's presented here, I think it's worth mentioning so the OP doesn't think the hook's fine since it wasn't mentioned in the crit. Puma
 

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Katie, do you want all three crits at once, or as we finish them?

This is such an excellent idea - reading other people's stuff has taught me so much about what I need to work on with mine.
 

Clarec

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I did critique the hooks because it's part of the writing, particularly from the point of view of sending the MS out to agents etc. I'd personally appreciate advice on my hook, particularly if it's crap and I don't know it!

Clare
 

katiemac

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No need to edit the hooks. Their purpose in this project is so that potential betas know what your plot is, so they can make informed decisions if it's something they'd like to read. If you do choose to critique the hook, remember that not all of the manuscripts are complete.

And send all three critiques in one PM, please. I believe I explained how the title should read in the PM I sent you all along with your critique numbers.
 

Bufty

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I can't see how I can critique the hook or what it will achieve - it's based upon the whole manuscript and I've no idea what's in the manuscript beyond the first five pages.
 
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Puma

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The main thing on the hook is - would it catch a reader (read that as publisher or agent) and make them want to find out more? Would it catch you and make you want to read the book? If it wouldn't, that's worth mentioning to the poster who may think it's fine the way it is. Puma
 

Puma

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Duplicate Post - Internet was being finky this morning. I didn't it posted at all.
 
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