so, my beta can't read my novel...

tiny · Feb 15, 2010

She brought the book back to me and said she couldn't bear to read any more. It was too painful. This seems bad.

It's a dark examination of war trauma, PTSD, and death. Should I have inserted a happy storyline in there somewhere? I'm at a loss.

She asked me why I would pull something so horrible from my head...

Jake.C · Feb 15, 2010

At least it had an effect.

The worst thing that can happen as a writer is that someone is totally uneffected by your story.

suki · Feb 15, 2010

tiny terror said:
She brought the book back to me and said she couldn't bear to read any more. It was too painful. This seems bad.

It's a dark examination of war trauma, PTSD, and death. Should I have inserted a happy storyline in there somewhere? I'm at a loss.

She asked me why I would pull something so horrible from my head...

It depends what she normally reads. There was one member of my crit group who thought two of my character were too violent and mean - but she likes the world (and her fiction) light and fluffy. Others have disagreed with her.

I'd wait until a whole bunch of knowledgeable critiquers - or you know, an agent or editor or 10 - tell you it's too unrelentingly hard.

There are dark and hard books - and they are not to everyone's tastes. Get some more betas.

~suki

Chris P · Feb 15, 2010

Zoinks! I would seek out a second beta and see what they say. Not that the first was unreasonable, but people are affected differently. There are movies too disturbing for me to watch but other people don't have a problem with, and I love some that others can't bear to watch.

Katrina S. Forest · Feb 15, 2010

Better she said the subject matter was painful than the writing was painful. It sounds like the topic just isn't her thing. There are certain topics I can't bear to read about. I'd try to find a beta who's okay with the dark stuff to give you a more objective view before you try to change anything.

Midnight Star · Feb 15, 2010

If it was just one reader that said that, you shouldn't let yourself be too discouraged. It's just one person's opinion. There are going to be people who like your work, there are going to be people that don't. Like Chris P said, seek out another beta and see what they say.

sunandshadow · Feb 15, 2010

Have you seen the movie Black Hawk down? That's a movie I completely regret watching, it gave me nightmares, yet there are people who think it's great and profound.

wysewomon · Feb 15, 2010

I've had that happen to me. I think it sounds like you and your beta reader weren't a good match. Not everyone can like--or even relate to--everything.

All the authors I know repeat the same thing: write what you know, write what's in your heart. Sometimes that takes us dark places. Not everyone can deal with that, either.

Try not to take your beta's reaction personally.

WW

san_remo_ave · Feb 15, 2010

Yeah, sounds like you may need to match the content with the reader. It may just be the subject matter isn't a good fit and that's what she's reacting to.

Calla Lily · Feb 15, 2010

Definitely find another beta who prefers to read your genre/style. If your book affected your beta like that, it's a good thing.

Rarri · Feb 15, 2010

It's at this point that i remember the whole Stephen King isn't a murderer thing; you pulled this novel from your head, so be it, that doesn't mean you 'delight' in traumatic things. Oh, i'm explaining myself horribly here, but basically, find another beta. A while back i read Wally Lamb's I Know This Much Is True, it's hardly dancing round the maypole but by being painful (well, it was for me), it was a better and more 'truthful' read. I'll spare you anymore babbling now...

Wayne K · Feb 15, 2010

Maybe you should try asking someone else who is going through this. I can see how it might be overwhelming to someone who isn't, but helpful to someone who is.

tiny · Feb 15, 2010

It's such a bummer. She's read my other novels no problem. I figured since she's a horror fan (and romance, odd combination), she'd be a go for this one. She cried... I feel lousy.

scarletpeaches · Feb 15, 2010

When my books make people cry, I'm glad.

Doesn't mean your book's bad. It means your writing's powerful.

As for why you'd pull something like this out of your head - what does your beta expect you to do? Keep it in there?

IceCreamEmpress · Feb 15, 2010

"This isn't for me--I find that particular subject matter difficult to read" is a perfectly fine response.

"Why did you write something so horrible?" really isn't appropriate, in my opinion. The reason they publish thousands of books every year is because not everyone responds the same way to the same topics/themes/styles/approaches.

sunandshadow · Feb 15, 2010

IceCreamEmpress said:
"Why did you write something so horrible?" really isn't appropriate, in my opinion. The reason they publish thousands of books every year is because not everyone responds the same way to the same topics/themes/styles/approaches.

Although, I can sympathize, because as a reader there's a real feeling of betrayal when you invest yourself in a story and it goes off in a direction you personally consider insane or horrible or whatever. This is why it's important for the first few chapters of a book, which establish the contract with the reader, to not be too different from the meat of the book. Personally I don't want to read a book that makes me cry, I don't want to read a book that makes me disgusted or afraid or depressed, and I'd be at least irritated if a friend asked me to read me a story that made me feel bad.

There's a gut-level bafflement too - why would any writer want to write something that seems so awful to me? But that's just the universal problem that it's really difficult to grasp someone having different taste from yours. It's inappropriate to label someone else's taste horrible in the same way it's inappropriate to say someone else has bad taste in what type of person they are attracted to, or what type of clothes they like to wear, or worse to say someone is disgusting because they don't change their appearance to fit your taste.

Cella · Feb 15, 2010

I didn't read everyone's posts, but I don't think you should add something happy just for the sake of a happy story. It's just obviously not her thing...and that's okay.

I think people who don't write don't always see that writers are crafting a story--and it sounds like you've done that very well.

Stunted · Feb 15, 2010

I also think that there are some books that you have to be in the mood for to enjoy. As long as your book is marketed as depressing, i think it will find an audience.

FJAR0009 · Feb 15, 2010

tiny terror said:
It's such a bummer. She's read my other novels no problem. I figured since she's a horror fan (and romance, odd combination), she'd be a go for this one. She cried... I feel lousy.

It's great that your work had an effect on the beta reader, but please bear in mind that EVERYONE who reads your work is going to react differently. Just because she couldn't continue on doesn't mean that someone else won't be completely gripped. You have those readers who will have to turn away, those who get highly interested, and the rest who are completely addicted to the material, not only because of the writing, but because of the darkness of the material. She's a horror fan? Well, she must have cried because your writing had such a poweful impact. If she cried, it means that she connected with the material.

That's a very good thing.

Brutal Mustang · Feb 15, 2010

Get more betas. You'll get a broader opinion.

DennisB · Feb 15, 2010

It could just be personal preference. I picked up Blatty's The Excorcist (just before the film was released). I quickly put it down. I couldn't get past the opening scene of child cruelty. But other people loved the book.

E. S. Lark · Feb 15, 2010

Though it has already been said, I second, third and fourth the comment for more betas. For me, when a reader feels disgusted by one of my characters, regret, loss or pain, I know I am doing my job. It means you are a powerful writer and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that

Birol · Feb 15, 2010

tiny terror said:
It's such a bummer. She's read my other novels no problem. I figured since she's a horror fan (and romance, odd combination), she'd be a go for this one. She cried... I feel lousy.

She cried? Oh, Tiny, that's absolutely wonderful. That's reason to :snoopy:

. Go you.

AryaT92 · Feb 15, 2010

I'd like to beta this if you want.

Libbie · Feb 15, 2010

tiny terror said:
She brought the book back to me and said she couldn't bear to read any more. It was too painful. This seems bad.

It's a dark examination of war trauma, PTSD, and death. Should I have inserted a happy storyline in there somewhere? I'm at a loss.

She asked me why I would pull something so horrible from my head...

No! Stay true to the story you want to tell. It's not going to be to everybody's taste, as you found out with your beta. But stick to your instincts.

so, my beta can't read my novel...

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