The Unmeasurable Value of Betas

One of the greatest gifts is the support and help given by betas for anyone's story. I know personally my story would not read as well without them whether it is the flow of the chapter, the sentence structure, the better chosen word or that comma that makes it all correct. Each beta that has helped me has provided such unique talents to the story.

Amanda (palabra) took me by the hand and hit me over the head (happily on my part I might add) to not tell everything. Write with a showing perspective. "show not tell" all the books say that is the preferred way. Wow. Not only is it easier for me to write that way, I like to read stories that follow that approach. The first 18 chapters of Expectations certainly had Amanda's hand and guidance in them. She has had to withdraw her help at this time due to her own life situations. I shall always appreciate the time this young wonderful writer took with a old fart of an pretender to present a story that the readers would want to read through. All my readers that like my writing style should send hugs and kisses to her.

Next, I wish to thank Karen A. We have become close correspondents. She is the only soul on the face of the earth to have read my whole story to the end. She is still wanting more in the epilogue and I might add to it. Well, see. I want to thank her for her support and encouragement as I anxiously sent my rough drafts her way. Poor thing, at times, she had to read a sentence with xxxxx as a word because I could not come up with the words (or finished my research) when I sent it to her. She once asked about the type of food poor Rawlings had to eat at the golf practice picnic. It was nothing more than a bunch of xxxxxxxx and stayed that way until the mood struck me to do some research. Of course, I did make a mistake in that and Heather F brought it to my attention. Well, Karen and I love all the men although it did not start out that way. In fact she really disliked Blake and then Kent and I see there are many readers that feel that way now. We will see if Karen's reactions do truly lead the way for now she does love all my men. And hey - she changes her mind all the time as to which one she loves the best. She has joined me in that regard. lol

Next is StephF (ruled by secrecy) another wonderfully gifted young lady. She can spot a modern term quick as lightning and sometimes I think i should send her the xxxxxx instead of words because she has a gift that grabs the perfect word all the time. She keeps me on track and even lets me know when I have too much of a talking head syndrome. I suspect she would like more introspection in the story but I have not the talent yet to delve into that aspect of writing. But for her I continue to explore it and will try to insert more of it as I go. I appreciate all that she does.

Heather F has provided me with guidance on sentence structure, all things British, and all things regency. She has helped my sentences have the right pacing and sound. She has helped me with my dialogue tags and action beats. I have a tendency to use too many ands and buts. She has shown me the better way to write. She is gentle in her guidance and lets me know when I have surprised even her! She laughs at my humor and tells me when a chapter is sad. She keeps me honest in the characterizations and acts as my readers representative when she questions parts of my writing. I could not find anyone else do a better job than she does when it comes to the overall guidance she provides. Everything is so much better after she offers her suggestions. It is so rare I do not accept them that I only need one hand to count the times I disagreed with her.

And now for DebraAnne. My gosh I had no idea what a verb tense was before Debra took me by the hand. Hopefully I have made great strides in my writing. And commas. Ok, I pretty much suck at knowing when to put a comma in and why. I put them in, Debra takes them out. I leave them out, she puts them in. I study her suggestions for hours trying to learn how to become better. Commas, semi-colons, dashes, etc. if it needs punctuation she is royalty. I am a riff-raff. Debra is the last to see my chapter before it is posted and occassionally I tinker with the final draft after she gives me the comments. So if you see a sentence that is not grammatically correct or punctuation does not seem to be anywhere it should, it is my fault. 100% my fault. I do try to keep it at a minimum for my readers sake.

Which brings up my final betas--the posted comments. I learn much by what they say. I am able to see where my writing has confused them or even misled them unintentionally. I keep the plot close to my chest (as one poster said) but it is because I consider the storyline the journey. I want everyone to experience a wonderful trip; therefore, I keep what is right around the bend unknown.

So to everyone that offers suggestions or whatnot, thank you so much. I do really appreciate any kind word, suggestion, concern, or challenge. I will also try to follow your lead and become a beta (with KarenA) and a more frequent commenter to all those wonderful writers I have followed faithfully.

Gayle