I think the communication point is a very good one. Like greendragon, I've mostly had good experiences (batting the compliment back), but one time it fell apart due to a lack of communication in the beginning. For instance, I want to exchange LBLs. My work will be as good as I am capable of making it when I hand it to you. It will be as cohesive a narrative as I can write, with correct spelling and grammar (when appropriate - we all know dialogue is an exception).
But I went through seven betas on my first novel, and they all had valuable things to add. And if you don't LBL, you're stuck with vague things like 'too many adverbs,' as opposed to 'you've got three adverbs in this paragraph.'
I figure, I'm already there, I might as well note things as they happen to be of the most use. It just strikes me as the best use of time for both of us. But that's the sort of conversation that should definitely happen going into the relationship, I've found.
But I went through seven betas on my first novel, and they all had valuable things to add. And if you don't LBL, you're stuck with vague things like 'too many adverbs,' as opposed to 'you've got three adverbs in this paragraph.'
I figure, I'm already there, I might as well note things as they happen to be of the most use. It just strikes me as the best use of time for both of us. But that's the sort of conversation that should definitely happen going into the relationship, I've found.
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