I finished my first beta review of a colleagues work. What surprised me is that at no point did it feel like a chore or like homework. It was one of the most fun reading experiences I’ve had.

Much of that credit goes to the fabulous writer, but I also think that the intensity in which I read the story allowed for a great immersion into it. Reading and appreciate each line, each word in my critique process allowed me to savor each bit of creativity out into it. As if I were in a museum and spent hours observing and appreciating each color, each brush stroke of a painting.

This epiphany has made me realize that my leisure reading’s enjoyment could be improved from incorporating a similar process. The adverse side would be a decrease in speed in reading; however, as with a luxurious dinner, the emphasis is on enjoying the consumption and not racing to the finish line as fast as possible.

My enjoyment in review and critiquing others’ writing makes me wonder whether such a service is something I should do on a commercial endeavor. I do not believe I have enough experience yet in critiquing creative writing (aside from the thousands of hours of my own work) nor do I know yet the value of the feedback I have provided. I’ve encouraged those I have critiqued for to give me feedback freely so that so I may improve as a beta reader. For the time being, I think I’ll offer such service at the polite request of colleagues looking for the same.