Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I am a little OCD about grammar, probably a little more than I used to be since I started doing beta reading for my friends. I will generally read through the work, then go through and edit, then read through again to make sure everything meshes.
I know that everyone has different styles of writing, so I'm perfectly fine with working closely with writers to make their work look good without reflecting my own style too much. I'm patient and generally easy to get along with, so if that is an issue, you shouldn't have to worry about me being pushy and my ego shoving you around. ;)
If you like, you can also give me a general rundown of the plot and I can advise you on that, too. I know that there have been times when I've had the story all laid out in my mind, just to start it and then have someone tell me 'That doesn't make sense at all, you left something out.'
Generally speaking, I've found that the best way to betaread is for you to write at least one chapter, send it to me before posting, and I'll check grammar and such and email back the original copy and the copy I edited with explanations of why things should/might be changed. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I'm good with pretty much anything to do with proper sentence structure and grammatical errors. I had a 103 average in my college Composition II course last semester and got a 28 on the English section of my ACT and a 32 in Reading. If you're unfamiliar with the ACT, a 36 is the absolute highest you can get.. and I know one other person who got a thirty on something, and he's awesome with math.
I also have experience in betaing because I have a friend who speaks English as a second language and I beta most of her work for her.
I have a good vocabulary which stems largely from the fact that I love to read -- everything from novels to fanfiction to the Sunday paper.
Probably the most important thing is that I love the work. Writing is my outlet, whether it gets posted up here or winds up in the stack of papers on my shelf. Also, if I think that a story really has promise, I tend to be really happy to have a hand in it, even if it is just something as simple as fixing a few misspelled words. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
Probably my biggest fault is the infamous run-on sentence. I have a tendency to try to cram too much information into one sentence, which rarely ever turns out well. However, I'm learning not to do that (as much, hehe) and beta reading my own work helps with that. It's rare now for anything I write or beta to have really incredibly long sentences.
My writing is affected by my emotions. If I have a lot of negativity going on that I know would make itself known if I tried to beta, then I will put it off until I feel safe to write without ruining the mood of the story.
Every now and then, I'll slip into old habits of using my Southern colloquialisms and not mean to. It rarely happens, and when it does, I usually catch it -- unless I meant for it to be there, of course.
I only have internet access when I drive into town so usually I will be online only on weekdays from 2:40 to 6:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays or 3 to 8:30ish on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, I do have internet access on my phone so if you want to talk to me I can manage that... just no betaing via phone or I'll wear my thumbs out. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
If your story is from the same category as any of the stories I have written, I can almost guarantee a quality (and generally speedy) beta read. I really don't write on a topic unless I feel that I know a lot about it and understand the characters and their motives sufficiently well. I like to know about the topic I am beta reading, because I wouldn't want for there to be a lot of plot and characterization errors left behind that a beta more experienced with the topic of the story could have caught. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
Smut. Sorry. XD |
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