I was walking home from the T tonight, chatting with a playwright I’d met just once before. We were comparing people we knew in the theater community. He mentioned a name, and I said that she was one of my favorite people. He told me about their long friendship, and then mentioned that she was his first reader.
A good first reader is a gift to a writer. This is the person to whom you hand your baby. You want it treated gently, but with a firm hand. And you want honestly, but not cruelty. That first reader can’t be too fawning, but she needs to be kind. And the first reader has to be willing to risk you being very, very unhappy with her for a while.
Your first reader is also not your last reader. She may not be good a a close edit. But that isn’t her role. Her role is to give you a big picture critique. Does the story hold together? What did she think of that plot point? Was that character sympathetic?
My first reader is my friend Jason. Jason likes the genre (mystery) that I write in. He has opinions, but also is one of my cheerleaders. When I ask him if he is willing to read, he always claps his hands and says “Yay!” in a way that makes me really happy. He turns the manuscript around quickly. I go through his notes, and sit with his suggestions for a day or two. If I disagree or have questions, we talk. But more often than not, I use them to do edits.
Finding your first reader is a tricky business, at least I think so. Who is your first reader?
I love the way you call it your baby! So true. If you get the wrong first readers… it is hard to find the courage to ask them to babysit again! lol.
My mentor & friend, Linda is the one person I know will be honest but sympathetic and as my publisher (www.dreamwritepublishing.ca) she is also the most professional. I also relay parts of my work to my writing circle where I know the critique will be constructive. (www.wfscsherwoodpark.com)
My first reader is my wife,except that she takes a lot of time to find me in an Internet cafe to reader what i have I written,such a scenario is time consuming situation which forces me to rebuke her for doing so.She however puts me in the mood when she”you know we failed to raise a lump sum amount of money to buy our own Laptop computer,and now you are blaming a wrong person Dear! She always suggest that I get a loan of 650 dollars which is still a financial burden.You are my second reader I believe,on my http://WWW.njaleruma.word press.com
Wow. So timely. I actually need an objective first reader who is also a writer. I have a great second reader who is a great editor. She picks up on the granular details that need fixing but gives less “big picture” and structure feedback, which I do well with on other writers’ work. Thanks for the post.
My first reader is my best friend Carla, and I try to be hers, as well. Unfortunately, with school dominating my life and with her having moved to another state, we’re not able to look over each other’s work with as much regularity or consistency as we used to. Still, she understands my characters better than anyone else does, she knows what I’m trying to accomplish better than I do, and she knows where my weak spots are. I can only hope that I’m just as helpful to her…when I have time to be.
You”re so lucky! I participate in a critique group, but it’s small. The feedback is good, but runs the gamut and people sometimes hold back from each other. There is one person who gives it straight up. I really like her but she doesn’t have the time to sit and read long pieces. I’d love to find someone trustworthy I can share the majority of my work with. You’re quite fortunate you have that kind of relationship with Jason and have the security of knowing he will offer what you need to make your work better.
Kathryn, who was surprised I had written something at all, and whose enthusiasm for it was boundless.
My long suffering husband who is an editor and pedant who has to restrain himself when I hand over my efforts.
Thanks for your comments. I will soon be searching for a reader and your points are helpful.
sorry my address was
I still do not have a trusted reader. My professor has been reading my stuff and it has hurt, however it has made go back to blogging to get into the habit of writing a little something more often.
Who would not make a great reader?
Great post!