Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and layout. I think these four things are essential to nail when writing. Without these it doesn't matter how great an idea you have, you need to be able to convey it in a straight forward manner that people can understand. There's nothing worse than feeling like reading is a chore. So I'm very nit-picky about that. I'm not afraid to say exactly what I think about a story, but at the end of the day I appreciate that it's your story and you can take or leave my advice. After all, I'm not an expert :P
I understand that many writers probably don't seek a beta because they are afraid of criticism. But just remember that I'm a writer too and I know how it feels. I want to help you get better in the same way I wish other people would help me! |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
If the story doesn't flow thats the first thing I notice. I have a pet hate for word repetition - the thesaurus is my best friend. I like stories that have depth and character development. I have a lot of patience and am happy to hammer away at a story until I think it's as good as I can get it. I also like to write several drafts of a story. I think many people avoid this process but it's so important. I write down everything that comes into my head and sort through it later, picking and choosing the pieces I think will work. Even if I have an idea I think is stupid, it still goes through the drafting process, because sometimes really good writing evolves from crappy ideas :P I think I'm very supportive, understanding and appreciate that people have different styles and different tastes. So when I'm beta-reading stories I try to look at them objectively. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I don't have any, ah ha ha ha... No really...
Erm... because I like to chew things over I might not get back to you as quickly as you would like. I'll certainly try my best but I like to read things over, let it stew for a day and then read it over again. I find it works better for identifying problems (especially those pesky spelling mistakes).
As a writer sometimes I have a tendency to skim over bits of the story that I don't want to write, I want to skip straight to the action. So that's something I struggle with and am trying to improve. Often I have no idea how to end a story, I'm really bad at endings... which is why I have too many unfinished series! |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I like stories that make me think and especially ones that bring something new to the table. I really love delving into the psyche of characters, understanding what makes them tick.
I really love it when a writer takes the subject matter and makes it their own, so I don't have problems with people breaking canon. As long as it makes sense and characters don't deviate too much from their established personalities.
I'm very open-minded, I like experimentation and when a writer doesn't play it safe. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
If you send me a story written in "net speak" I will absolutely refuse to read it. Unless of course it's pertinent to the story, eg. two characters conversing via email, or chat etc.
Other than that, I'll read pretty much anything.
Well except anything that involves the abuse of minors... but I can't believe I would actually need to specify that. |
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