Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
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September 2 question - If you could choose one author, living or dead, to be your beta partner, who would it be and why?
What a great question!
I think this answer would totally change depending on the genre I'm writing.
Currently, I'm focusing on contemporary romance with a mix of suspense and humour. The overall tone of my writing is hopeful and the endings are always happy.
I'd love to have Jill Shalvis as a beta partner. Her stories run from contemporary romance to women's fiction. I love the humour and emotion she injects in everything she writes. Her characters are complex - full of strengths and flaws. Her plots are tightly written with intriguing twists. Her writing always tugs at the heartstrings.
Working with someone who writes such fascinating characters and plots would teach me a lot. I also think she'd like the Bloo Moose romances and a beta has to enjoy the books!
How about you? Does your genre influence who you would choose as a beta partner? Anyone else write contemporary romance?
That's a common requirement of a beta reader today - characters with flaws.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a long time to realize my characters were too nice :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love writing about characters with weaknesses, flaws and who have come from a distorted childhood.
Take care and all the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Me too - but I need to have my happy endings too! :)
DeleteI'm sure her style shows up in your writing.
ReplyDeleteI do think there are a few style similarities!
DeleteI think there should be a contest that we could enter and have this dream of our choice of beta-reader come true!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!!! Love that idea! :)
DeleteSeeme like a good Beta partner.
ReplyDeleteKeep safe and well.
Yvonne.
She's WAY above my league, but I'd love to work with her!
DeleteI definitely agree that the genre would inform my choice. I chose two to try to cover the bases...
ReplyDeleteGood idea!! I have SO MANY people I would love to work with!
DeleteIt's always nice when you can learn from your betas. I have no doubt she'd enjoy the Bloo Moose series. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, MJ! I hope she would too!
DeleteSounds like a match made in heaven. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
LOL - for me, anyway!
DeleteI learned a lot about writing and editing through beta readers, and having an author like that as a beta reader would be invaluable.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Crit buddies and beta readers have taught me so much!
DeleteA good beta partner is invaluable. Glad you have one!
ReplyDeleteWorking with Jill is a fantasy - but I do have good people around me!
DeleteI keep reading everyone's interesting choices for beta partners, and now I wish I had answered the monthly question myself.
ReplyDeleteLOL - but you have a LOT going on, so skipping it is okay!
DeleteThat's great that your choice writes in your genre.
ReplyDeleteShe's amazing!
DeleteJill Shalvis sounds like a great match!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I can always dream!
DeleteThanks, Tbreit! I hope so!
ReplyDeleteJill has written dozens of great romances - love her books!
ReplyDeleteA huge hooray for writers - and for those who fuel their fires and support their journeys. Which includes but isn't limited to beta partners.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I can't imagine who I would be without the books that have led me on so many journeys!
DeleteMy choice, George Orwell, is definitely influences by my interest in the genre. And frankly, by my general world view these days. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great choice. Orwell's 1984 hit me hard when I read it in high school. Might be time for a reread!
DeleteAnother author I was not familiar with (have now made note to check her out), but she sounds perfect for you.
ReplyDeleteI adore her books so I hope so!
DeleteGenre definitely has a huge influence on who I'd pick.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading your next book!
Exactly - I have so many authors I admire, but Jill would work great for this series!
DeleteYay! Hope you enjoy!
So Jemi, you've been busy. Love your landing page. Never heard of Jill Shalvis. It's wonderful how many new authors I'm hearing about today.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's definitely been a busy year so far!
DeleteI've got a list of new authors as well!
I hadn't thought about genre, but yes, I think it makes a difference! Nice choice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tyrean! One of my fave authors is Tolkien but his style wouldn't work for my genre!
DeleteGenre would definitely influence my choice of a beta partner. As I write speculative fiction, I would choose my beta among the writers in my genre.
ReplyDeleteYes! I have a bunch of SF authors I really enjoy who would make great betas too!
DeleteA new-to-me author! I think I could use her as a beta reader, too -- my stories lack a bit of humour :p Lots of romance but less humour...
ReplyDeleteI think you'd enjoy Jill Shalvis books, Deniz! She writes great romance!
DeleteThat makes sense actually... The genre you're writing in. I just got to know of Jill Shalvis. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteSonia from https://soniadogra.com
Jill is a great author!!
DeleteI hadn't thought of picking a beta reader according to genre. It would be favourable to pick a reader who likes the books genre, for sure! I can't think of a genre I don't like so think I might make a pretty good beta reader. haha!
ReplyDeleteI bet you would!!
DeleteI'm a multi-genre reader as well :)
Jill Shalvis is really good!
ReplyDeleteDamyanti at Daily (w)rite
She really is!!
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