Saber Tooth (YA Fantasy currently about 24,000 words)

Adrianna Burch · 05-26-2012, 02:31 AM

I'm looking for people who might be interested in beta reading my WIP Saber Tooth. It's currently about 24,000 words, but this will change. I haven't touched it in at least four years, so I'm going over it and updating. It's still pretty darn rough, but I'm not sure how to go about making it less so. I'm looking for someone who could read the whole thing as I update it and finish it/ I don't care in the least how brutally you tear it up as long as you're not too rude when you do it. I am also definitely open to swapping stories, so if you need something read as well, I'm more than happy to oblige (even a whole novel).

I am also looking for someone from Wyoming who could help me with the first few chapters (which are set there).

The story is basically about a seventeen-year-old girl who has been in and out of foster homes her entire life after being found abandoned on the hillside when she was barely two years old.

Over the course of the book, she finds out that she was originally born in an underground refuge for fantasy creatures and is actually a weresabertooth and she spends the book going on a quest to regain her sabertooth form.

meowzbark · 05-28-2012, 03:00 AM

I think the novel length is the reason many people aren't volunteering to beta for you. At 24,000 it is only a third to a halfway finished, according to word count, unless you are working on a novella.

Maryn · 05-28-2012, 03:07 AM

I suspect the fact that it's not already the best you can make it, coupled with the fact that it's incomplete, makes it seem... what word am I looking for? Unpromising, maybe.

Because I'm thinking that when you haul out a manuscript you haven't touched in four years, you're going to see things you'd change, ways you can improve it, even a few mistakes or weaknesses in the writing itself.

I propose you do those improvements, and finish it at whatever length it turns out to become, before you even think about betas. After all, it wouldn't be unusual for an author to realize as s/he nears the climax that the book started in the wrong place, and should have begun right around what is now the 25,000-word mark.

Maryn, knowing this isn't what you'd like to hear, and sorry about that

Unimportant · 05-28-2012, 07:25 AM

Adri, is 24K the complete manuscript, or is it the first third-ish of an uncompleted novel?

WriteMinded · 05-28-2012, 07:28 AM

The best time to search for a beta is after the MS is finished and polished. Isn't it?

thothguard51 · 05-28-2012, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriteMinded

The best time to search for a beta is after the MS is finished and polished. Isn't it?

Generally it is...

I think what the poster is looking for is more of a mentor or writing partner, not a beta reader...

Adrianna Burch · 05-28-2012, 10:08 AM

I find that having a beta reader as I go along helps me to develop the story and keeps my writing tighter during the actual writing. Plus it's ten times easier to correct a fatal flaw before you've finished creating it, so yes, I am looking for a beta reader.

Unimportant · 05-28-2012, 11:44 PM

Adrianna, maybe give an indication of the time period you foresee the committment lasting? Usually a beta reader will read a completed manuscript, taking however long it takes them, hands it back, and then may or may not engage in a bit of Q&A with the author. If you're looking for a writing partner who would help you develop the story and read each section as you write it, that's an ongoing committment that could take months to years, depending on how long you anticipate it will take you to complete this manuscript.

Adrianna Burch · 05-29-2012, 03:47 AM

It's a however long they're willing. That alone gives me an idea of how the book is doing.

lambauman · 05-29-2012, 04:42 AM

It sounds like you are looking for a critique partner rather than a beta reader. A CP is an ongoing relationship, and it needs to be someone you trust and feel comfortable with. It also needs to be reciprocal, mutually beneficial. It is big commitment to give ongoing feedback for the duration of your creative process. If you are willing to reciprocate the critique and support, you may have a better chance finding someone.

Adrianna Burch · 05-29-2012, 09:39 PM

I'm definitely willing, as I said in my original post.

Unimportant · 05-30-2012, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the additional info, A.

It's probably more of a committment than I would want to make with someone I'd not worked with before, so I'll pass on the opportunity.

thothguard51 · 05-30-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrianna Burch

I find that having a beta reader as I go along helps me to develop the story and keeps my writing tighter during the actual writing. Plus it's ten times easier to correct a fatal flaw before you've finished creating it, so yes, I am looking for a beta reader.

This may be good for you, but not always good for the beta reader, for many, many reasons...

Have you tried joining a local writing group, or a site like critters.org to help you develop your story and writing abilities? More what you are looking for in my humble opinion.

Adrianna Burch · 05-30-2012, 04:48 PM

That's alright Unimportant.

thothguard51 I think they could benefit from the same thing being done to their work, could they not?

Also, the only local writing groups around me I know of (as in aren't just groups among a few friends made by people I don't know) cost money I don't have. Starving artist and such

05-26-2012, 02:31 AM	#1
Adrianna Burch Angry owl is judging you. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 187	Saber Tooth (YA Fantasy currently about 24,000 words) I'm looking for people who might be interested in beta reading my WIP Saber Tooth. It's currently about 24,000 words, but this will change. I haven't touched it in at least four years, so I'm going over it and updating. It's still pretty darn rough, but I'm not sure how to go about making it less so. I'm looking for someone who could read the whole thing as I update it and finish it/ I don't care in the least how brutally you tear it up as long as you're not too rude when you do it. I am also definitely open to swapping stories, so if you need something read as well, I'm more than happy to oblige (even a whole novel). I am also looking for someone from Wyoming who could help me with the first few chapters (which are set there). The story is basically about a seventeen-year-old girl who has been in and out of foster homes her entire life after being found abandoned on the hillside when she was barely two years old. Over the course of the book, she finds out that she was originally born in an underground refuge for fantasy creatures and is actually a weresabertooth and she spends the book going on a quest to regain her sabertooth form. __________________ Collared - YA Urban Fantasy - 1500/80,000 & Cat's Eye - YA Fantasy - 1100/80,000 Last edited by Adrianna Burch; 05-26-2012 at 08:11 AM.

05-28-2012, 03:00 AM	#2
meowzbark practical experience, FTW Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 449	I think the novel length is the reason many people aren't volunteering to beta for you. At 24,000 it is only a third to a halfway finished, according to word count, unless you are working on a novella. __________________ Desdemona - YA Dark Fantasy, on 2nd draft revising: \|Book Review Blog\| \|Twitter\|

05-28-2012, 03:07 AM	#3
Maryn Remembering... AW Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 25,494	I suspect the fact that it's not already the best you can make it, coupled with the fact that it's incomplete, makes it seem... what word am I looking for? Unpromising, maybe. Because I'm thinking that when you haul out a manuscript you haven't touched in four years, you're going to see things you'd change, ways you can improve it, even a few mistakes or weaknesses in the writing itself. I propose you do those improvements, and finish it at whatever length it turns out to become, before you even think about betas. After all, it wouldn't be unusual for an author to realize as s/he nears the climax that the book started in the wrong place, and should have begun right around what is now the 25,000-word mark. Maryn, knowing this isn't what you'd like to hear, and sorry about that __________________ In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. --Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

05-28-2012, 10:08 AM	#7
Adrianna Burch Angry owl is judging you. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 187	I find that having a beta reader as I go along helps me to develop the story and keeps my writing tighter during the actual writing. Plus it's ten times easier to correct a fatal flaw before you've finished creating it, so yes, I am looking for a beta reader. __________________ Collared - YA Urban Fantasy - 1500/80,000 & Cat's Eye - YA Fantasy - 1100/80,000 Last edited by Adrianna Burch; 05-28-2012 at 10:35 AM.

05-29-2012, 03:47 AM	#9
Adrianna Burch Angry owl is judging you. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 187	It's a however long they're willing. That alone gives me an idea of how the book is doing. __________________ Collared - YA Urban Fantasy - 1500/80,000 & Cat's Eye - YA Fantasy - 1100/80,000

05-28-2012, 07:25 AM	#4
Unimportant but appreciated anyway... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 4,328	Adri, is 24K the complete manuscript, or is it the first third-ish of an uncompleted novel?

05-28-2012, 07:28 AM	#5
WriteMinded Derailed Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above Paradise in California Posts: 1,997	The best time to search for a beta is after the MS is finished and polished. Isn't it?

05-28-2012, 11:44 PM	#8
Unimportant but appreciated anyway... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 4,328	Adrianna, maybe give an indication of the time period you foresee the committment lasting? Usually a beta reader will read a completed manuscript, taking however long it takes them, hands it back, and then may or may not engage in a bit of Q&A with the author. If you're looking for a writing partner who would help you develop the story and read each section as you write it, that's an ongoing committment that could take months to years, depending on how long you anticipate it will take you to complete this manuscript.

05-29-2012, 04:42 AM	#10
lambauman figuring it all out Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 88	It sounds like you are looking for a critique partner rather than a beta reader. A CP is an ongoing relationship, and it needs to be someone you trust and feel comfortable with. It also needs to be reciprocal, mutually beneficial. It is big commitment to give ongoing feedback for the duration of your creative process. If you are willing to reciprocate the critique and support, you may have a better chance finding someone.

05-29-2012, 09:39 PM	#11
Adrianna Burch Angry owl is judging you. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 187	I'm definitely willing, as I said in my original post. __________________ Collared - YA Urban Fantasy - 1500/80,000 & Cat's Eye - YA Fantasy - 1100/80,000

05-30-2012, 07:37 AM	#12
Unimportant but appreciated anyway... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 4,328	Thanks for the additional info, A. It's probably more of a committment than I would want to make with someone I'd not worked with before, so I'll pass on the opportunity.

05-30-2012, 04:48 PM	#14
Adrianna Burch Angry owl is judging you. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 187	That's alright Unimportant. thothguard51 I think they could benefit from the same thing being done to their work, could they not? Also, the only local writing groups around me I know of (as in aren't just groups among a few friends made by people I don't know) cost money I don't have. Starving artist and such __________________ Collared - YA Urban Fantasy - 1500/80,000 & Cat's Eye - YA Fantasy - 1100/80,000

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