Welcome to the first beta reader round! Your purpose as a first-round-beta is to critique story and emotion. Pay attention to characters, pacing, plot and consistency (the attached guide will help you with this). Don’t worry about things like spelling and grammar—but please make notes if you find glaring mistakes—I’m much more interested to your emotional response to the story and whether or not I’ve written something that might resonate with an audience from start to finish.
This is an early manuscript. It’s unfinished. This is NOT the final version. You have the privilege of influencing the version that will go to print - yay you!
Be kind. But be ruthless. I promise not to hate you! Without your full honesty this project will never reach its full potential.
Need to know more about being a beta?
Check out this helpful guide —> www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/beta-reader-etiquette/
I have categorized The Church In The Wildwood as a Young Adult Novel (mostly because my main character is fifteen and that generally determines who your readers are going to be). As you read, please consider whether you think this is an appropriate ranking. Also, please be watching for and note the following:
- parts/scenes that feel unnecessary, that are too obvious to be stated or don’t lead anywhere. (Everything should inform the story…anything else is just taking up space.)
- glaring mistakes (spelling, grammar, etc.)
- any questions that arise
- cliches
- consistent tone
- repetition (of information, words, phrases)
- plot discrepancies
Don’t be intimidated by these work sheets - this isn’t meant to be hard but it is meant to get to the heart of what needs to change to make my book the best it can be.
Be honest. And if you don’t want to answer/grade a particular point - just leave it blank. This isn’t a test you can fail.
STORY
Scoring:
1 - not even a little bit 2 - this needs extensive work 3 - it’s alright
4 - good 5 - this was definitely working 6 - great job
7 - how in the world are you so incredibly amazing?
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Score
1-7
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1
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Within the first few pages, were you compelled to continue reading?
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2
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Does the story begin with an interesting hook? Were questions raised you wanted answers to? Was a sense of mystery created?
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3
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Was information revealed in a non-obtrusive way? Did things like backstory fit organically (as opposed to information dumps)?
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4
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Were settings well developed and described clearly? - Could you picture the story as it unfolded?
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5
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Was there enough conflict?
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6
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Was conflict resolved in a believable manner?
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7
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Were there any moments that could use more tension?
- If yes, please explain where:
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8
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Did any parts of the story lag?
-if yes, where?
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9
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Did you skip over any sections?
-if yes, when & why?
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10
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Were there enough/satisfying plot twists and/or surprises?
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11
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Were plot twists believable yet unexpected?
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12
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Was the ending satisfying?
-if no, please explain
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13
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Were all your questions answered?
-if no, please explain
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CHARACTERS
Scoring:
1 - not even a little bit 2 - this needs extensive work 3 - it’s alright
4 - good 5 - this was definitely working 6 - great job
7 - how in the world are you so incredibly amazing?
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Score
1-7
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1
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Was each character unique?
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2
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Are the characters anchored to their scene (surroundings) - especially while they talk? (No floating heads - do you know where they are?)
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3
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Does each character have realistic motivations, reactions & desires?
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4
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Was there a character that you loved?
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5
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Was there a character that you hated? (or loved to hate?)
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6
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Did you feel an emotional connection to any particular character?
care to tell me who and why you think they resonated with you?
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7
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Were character relationships believable?
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8
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Did you find yourself rooting for at least one character?
if so, who?
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TECHNICAL
Scoring:
1 - not even a little bit 2 - this needs extensive work 3 - it’s alright
4 - good 5 - this was definitely working 6 - great job
7 - how in the world are you so incredibly amazing?
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Score
1-7
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1
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Was the point of view clear and consistent?
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2
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Were chapter breaks appropriate/well placed?
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3
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Were the time-stamps helpful?
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4
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Did the story remain true to its 1977 setting?
if no, where do changes need to happen?
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5
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Do details enhance rather than distract from the story?
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6
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Did the dialogue feel natural—not forced?
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OVERALL
Scoring:
1 - not even a little bit 2 - this needs extensive work 3 - it’s alright
4 - good 5 - this was definitely working 6 - great job
7 - how in the world are you so incredibly amazing?
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Score
1-7
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1
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Did you connect emotionally to the story as a whole?
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2
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Does the book deliver on the promises of its premise and opening scenes?
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3
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Is the book a good fit for the genre of Young Adult?
if not, why? and where would you put it?
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4
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What specific moments surprised you?
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n/a
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5
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What was your overall impression?
-explain?
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6
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Anything else you’d like to say? The more information you give me the better! Feel free to attach more paper if you have things to add. —Thank you for your help!
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n/a
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