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This week: When to Share Ideas and Who to Tell Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Questions have brought up the topic of whether one should share their story idea before writing. If so, at what stage does the sharing begin? Who do you share the story with? And there is the whole issue of alpha readers versus beta because we always like to have readers. |
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A few questions over the years has brought up this topic in different ways. The topic being: when do you share your story ideas with others? The answer, however, depends on a variety of things, which means I have something to write about for this newsletter. There are different times when one can share their idea and/or story, along with different audiences, and the right one will depend on the individual writer.
So, the main question for today is: Do you share your ideas? Who do you share them with? And finally, what do you do with the feedback?
I have some writing friends who hear a fair number of my novel and story ideas. It's nice on occasion to bounce things off someone to see how they respond and other times, it's just a way to talk about something instead of sitting online, staring at a page and person's username but nothing happens. However, I haven't really just put my ideas down and searched for feedback before deciding to write something. I know some other writers have a different approach.
There is some merit into questioning the reactions of potential readers before writing 100,000 words. On one hand, with so much competition for readers in general, it's nice to know that someone finds the story appealing. On the other hand, there isn't much to an idea and the end result will differ compared to the little nugget of information known in the very beginning. There are also a couple of different types of readers that can help with this situation.
While there is some debate still on the difference between an alpha reader and a beta, I will label them for the sake of this newsletter as this:
Alpha Readers - This is someone who gets to know the idea and may even see rough drafts. They are often family or writing friends though could be a critique group as well or even strangers depending on the situation. However, they are not concerned with comma splices, punctuation or even how much the senses were used. For me, the alpha is the one who I can bounce an idea off, share some plot and get a general reaction if there is something there in order to create a story.
Beta Readers - This is the reader who gets to see the drafts before publication, self or otherwise, but may not have known much about the story before the edited draft. How edited the draft is and who gets to read will vary depending on a number of factors. Also, whether they focus on big issues of character and plot or smaller factors like the grammar will depend on the reader. It is good, however, to get on the same ground with the beta to make sure that the writer and the reader are wanting the same factors considered. Doesn't help to get comma suggestions when only looking for first draft general tips, since the editing will come in later drafts, for example. So, for me, this reader is not the idea sharer (though may have been at one point) but more of the person who gives overall feedback on the story after writing is done.
There are many factors that vary and nothing is really set in stone as to type of reader, who should get to know the idea and whether or not one should ask before writing. Like many aspects of this field in creativity, there are too many variables and the answer to the questions that come up are often "it depends." In this case, it depends on the writer whether or not they want to share ideas before writing or even if the share after writing. Secret novels exist in many drawers out there, tucked away for whatever reason the writer used to seal the fate of their written words.
As for me, ask and I'll probably tell you some of my ideas. Either way, I have writing to do. It's almost time for NaNoWriMo after all. |
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When do you share your ideas for a story? Who do you share them with?
Last time I talked about National Novel Writing Month and whether one should prepare ahead of time for the challenge. Here are the two comments that were sent in over the topic:
Comment by dwarf2012
Good luck to all doing NaNo this year! I am taking the year off because I have to work most of Thanksgiving week so no time! I think it helps to prepare, do character sketches, think about the setting. I have 'won' NaNo a couple of years and 'lost' some others! I wish you all the best.
Comment by Elfin Dragon-finally published 
most of my writing and preparing with notes beforehand is if I need some research on any one particular subject for the novel. Sometimes I'll get a thought about what (or where) I'll want my character to be (or be doing) and I'll write a scene which will be placed later in the novel because it's not something I want at the beginning. I know weird, but I've found I tend to write piecemeal sometimes. Especially if writing on my own. If writing with someone I'm defiantly more structured.
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For Authors: October 07, 2015 Issue [#7256]
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