Hey there, random people who just so happen to be reading my beta profile-thingy....

Anywho, my name's Taylor (quite obviously) and I love reading fanfiction. It's a bit of an addiction, I will admit. My mother is a published author with fourteen books and has won two Reader's Choice Awards, so I've been raised with a deep appreciation for the written word and a fairly good understanding of its flow.

As a beta, I occasionally get really into the intricate details. I also will offer suggestions - but, just fyi, I can be a bit blunt, and you don't need to take them. They're just that - a suggestion, an opinion - and I won't be offended if you decide not to use it. I can be a bit of a grammar-nazi, but I also allow a lot of leeway when it simply comes down to style. Everyone has their own style and skills, and I try to use those to the story's advantage.

If you want my "services" (for lack of better word... although saying that makes me sound like a prostitute...) I would ask that you: first, actually write fairly well; second, proofread it yourself first - I hate having to do pointless cleanup that could easily be fixed if the author put some time looking over his/her own work; third, refrain from excessive use of OCs.

Frankly, if your story is all about your Irken Invader and how amazingly awesome and/or misunderstood they are, I don't want to read it. I'm into FAN-FICTION with the actual characters; not self-inserts. Now, I don't mind a few OCs, but when they become the main focus of the story or the love-interest of the main characters, that's when I push the "back" button repeatedly.

Damn... I hope I didn't come off as some sort of stuck-up prick. I can be a rather fun and random person... I guess what I'm trying to say is, I just love good, unique stories, and look forward to working with you!

Hmmm... well, one of my writing strengths is probably putting most characters... well, in character. I put a lot of focus into motives and personalities - which is really all there is to characterization.

I'm also good at plot twists and surprises, using various subtleties and forshadowing that tie it all together when readers finally figure out the ending.

Editing-wise, I catch spelling and grammar mistakes fairly easily. I'm also pretty good a rephrasing things if they just don't seem to flow well. I can also catch parts that take too long and condense them down, as well as asking you to lengthen key points that need to be enlongated.

Sex scenes. I read them, can edit them, and can write them, but I happen to be asexual (not sexually attracted to either sex,) so I really don't have much of a sense for the rhythm. When it comes to trying to fix it if it's really awkward, I'll try, but I might not do much better.

ZADR - Zim and Dib Romance; I love me some good xeno-lovin'. I especially love when it's something with an actual PLOT, instead of just a bunch of cutesy fluff. I really don't mind most of the other Invader Zim pairings and do read some, but ZADR is my absolute favorite.

I'm also a fan of NnyxDevi and PASR (Pepito and Squee Romance), but I'll also read "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac" fanfiction with most other pairings. I'm fairly open when it comes to that fandom. In fact, one of my favorite fanfictions is NnyxEdgar, despite the fact that I'm not really into that pairing much.

I love stories that are fairly dark, even if only dark undertones. I love tension and angst (just as long as it's not the over-the-top "Everyone hates me! I'm so misunderstood and whiny" type.) Frankly, no everything is all happy and perfect in life, and I enjoy reading about the strife, indecision, brokenness, etc. that lingers inside everyone - not the perfection of lives and relationships.

I also really like originality. Stories and concepts that haven't been beaten to death. Yeah... I don't really think I need to elaborate much here. You get the point.

I simply cannot stress how much I can't STAND Mary Sues. No one will admit that their character is one, but if your story basically revolves around your original character(s) and everything else seems to be pushed towards the back, chances are, you've probably mothered/fathered a Sue. Don't take offence - we all have. Hell, I'll admit it - I have a Sue I created a few years back, and - despite the fact that I've realized how obnoxiously perfect she was - I still like her, and still mess with her in my imagination.

I also can't stand drabbles, crack!fics, pure fluff, and most songfics. If it's just something inspired by a song, that's fine; you don't need to put the entire song within the story, having more lyrics than story. That's just a little lame, and detracts from the tale that you wish to tell.

Drabbles - I'll admit, I've read a few good ones, but the majority are just pretty much the writing equivalent of a doodle. I prefer well thought-out stories.

Crack!fics - pretty much the same beef with them as drabbles. There's just nothing to them, and almost never have very much plot. I really don't want to read about a game of spin-the-bottle with Zim, Dib, Gaz, Harry Potter, Danny Phantom, Megaman, Pikachu, House, Optimus Prime, Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters, and you.

I really don't mind fluff so much, but I read stories for... well... the story. Usually fluff fanfics have no meat, no substance; just random making out and cute faces.

Pairing-wise, my no-no zones include incest, anything with GIR, or anything with Mmy. Otherwise - gay, straight, xenophilic, whatever - I don't mind.

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