Thread: Getting the "first reader"

Hi folks. This is my first post outside of my introduction. I'm not entirely sure I'm posting this in the correct forum? My apologies.

My friend and I have worked together on my memoir style book for nearly a year. I haven't shared any of the writing with anyone else. I'm to a point now where I feel it's time to get some input from outside the circle.

Is there such a thing as too many "first readers?" I ask this because I know as a web page designer it can be unproductive to get too many opinions. Everyone has a different preference for color, style, etc and everyone, of course, thinks they have an English major.

How have you approached a potential first reader? How did you choose that person? Did you provide an introduction and excerpts or a complete manuscript?

Thank you in advance.
...jo

Hi jo

My philosophy, and I'm sure that of many others too, would be to throw your work out there (on here, or whatever medium you choose) and wait for the feedback to come in, and then take from the feedback what you want, and choose to ignore what you want. In my opinion there can't be too much. If you get a large amount of f/b you might see patterns in the postings, all commenting on certain aspects: style, grammar, plot, characterisation etc.; and so highlighting the area(s) which needs most work, or highlighting the area(s) of strength. Getting as wide an audience as possible must be a good thing. Remember, you're the writer, you're getting advice, you don't have to put it into practice; you probably / possibly already have an idea of your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and maybe the feedback will confirm what you suspected, or highlight something you have been quite oblivious to.

It's a good idea not to post an entire manuscript first up. Many people on here won't have the time to read it. Take a little time looking at and critiquing the work of others in order that people will be prepared to read yours. Start off by posting short excerpts or examples of your work, more digestable in bitesize chunks, and it won't scare readers off.

Hope this helps.

Scott.

Well, I would question the need for a "first reader"? If you and your friend have been working together on it, then your friend is your first reader and vice versa. So the things people would tend to seek from a first reader, (is it good, do you like the plot, etc.) are already there. The next step would be to do as Bliston says, (post it here for critiques), though I would probably suggest just giving a taster of it rather than the whole thing.

I think I have an English major...chained up on a torture rack in my dungeon.

Because it's a "memoir style book," you might want to take what excerpt you choose and post it in the non-fiction forums, as you'll be best-served there by those who read, write and critique non-fiction. You may even want to read through a couple dozen stories written by the various authors there and, when you find someone who you think might adequately serve your purposes as a first reader, you might try your luck by sending him or her a message requesting help. You can always put your story up wherever you like and hope for the best, but in my experience, a couple of critiques from those 'aspirings' in the same literary field are worth just a little bit more than some sugared-out 'lol' kid who loses interest in your story when he discovers it doesn't have vampires or ninjas in it.

Hi folks. Thank you all for your helpful input. Scott, I agree that I can take what I want from feedback. I just wonder if less is more? Oh, and I would never dream of posting an entire manuscript to a forum. Haha. Yikes. To InsanityStrickenWriter... after looking at my writing for so long I can't even see when a "the" is missing which is why I'd like fresh eyes to give it a go over. And thanx for the tip Mike. I think I'll go over to the non-fiction forums and hang about.
...jo

Hi jo, and welcome!

I really like your question. I am married to my first reader--a position for which she never applied.... She is a voracious reader and a teacher by profession. Therefore, the critique I get right out of the gate is a good one. Unfortunately, as she is proximate at the completion of each and every chapter, I tend to throw them at her immediately. Her response is always the same: Just finish the damn thing, and then let me read it!

So I have had to look elsewhere for other first readers. Years ago, I started with friends.... Because friends are obliged, in one way or another. That didn't work out so well--because friends are obliged, in one way or another, and are less likely to be truly critical. That's when I started with acquaintances. One in particular, whom I have come to cherish, is our local librarian. She has no qualms about marking up my manuscripts, and is always right. (Better than spellcheck and Microsoft grammar any day!)

I do use other sources, but have come to tread very, very carefully. Some have convinced me that they are highly qualified. I then discover that they are frighteningly inept, and that my poor manuscript was better off out of their helpful hands. Others may be completely capable, but after a four-month disappearance of the MS and no word...well, let's just say that I haven't gone back to that well.

Unfortunately, and, as with almost every other topic on this site, it is hit-or-miss and pray you get lucky. That is, at least, my humble experience thus far on the rocky road to fame,, fortune and superstardom.

Best of luck in your quest!