Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I've never officially beta-read for anyone, so I'm up for a new experience.
I'm in my junior year of university working on a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Over the past two or so years, I've been proofing and editing friends' critical papers, unofficially editing fanfiction I enjoy (you know, never showing the author, just running it through a text programme and fixing it). While I mostly run through the aforementioned just checking for superficial errors (spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, usage, etc.), I'm VERY critical of characterisation; I've dropped many prospective reads here and on LJ because I've felt the characters were OOC beyond repair. I'm not a complete witch when editing, but I'm not particularly gentle; I'll tell you point blank that the characters are off.
Also know that while I won't tolerate Mary-Sue, I really have no problem with OCs.
What I can do as a beta-reader:
-Fix spelling, usage, and punctuation.
-Help with canon continuity.
-Suggest varying sentence structures.
-Help keep characterisation in check.
-Beta OC-inclusive fics.
-Note recurring structural mistakes to help the writer better handle such situations in the future (e.g. If I notice inappropriate use of semicolons I'll inform the author of its proper use.)
What I cannot and WILL NOT do:
-Salvage crap (laden with spelling errors, raping the English language in general, OOC beyond recognition, etc.)
-Entirely rewrite a piece.
How I beta:
If you have Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, NeoOffice, or some program that can handle .doc formats, that would be excellent. I go through a piece/chapter and highlight problem areas then attach a comment to them that you can activate by passing the cursor over the highlighted portion. I don't do this for little typos like a misspelling that doesn't show continuously, the occasional misplaced punctuation point, or missing words, but for recurring errors or oddly worded sentences that I feel could be stated better. In cases of odd wording, I highlight them rather than change them because while I'd like the writer to know it sounds awkward, I also don't want to cramp the author's creative control; this way they're aware of a problem and can fix it in their own words.
Naturally, as I prefer dealing with something in .doc format, communication with actual e-mail is a necessity, so you may contact me via FF.net's PM with a beta request OR send your request to ravenscarlett @ gmail . com.
Bio under construction. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I've been told characterisation is one of my strengths and I consider it a side effect of a long-hard fight against an OOC pox that had long afflicted my own works. In certain series (specifically Psychonauts, Venture Bros., South Park, and Avatar) I can spot discrepancies in canon continuity; in those particular series I've analysed and picked to the point of wearing them out, so characterisations, timeline issues, and general tiny details are my forte.
Additionally, I can spot:
-Misused words
-Inappropriate tense shifts
-General spelling errors
-Semicolon misuse
-Passive voice
Under construction. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I often won't catch missing words until about a third re-read and while I can usually spot punctuation problems, it's one of my weaker points... Particularly that blasted comma.
I also may get long-winded in an explanation of grammar uses/misuses in writing. It comes from tutoring too long, I guess.
Under construction. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
==Right now I'd REALLY prefer to beta for South Park and Bully/Canis Canem Edit fanfiction.==
In all my fandoms combined, I've read anything from humour to angst and am always seeking good femslash, but I do have my preferences for each fandom:
-Avatar: The Last Airbender- Character introspections, heavy character profiling, general, drama, future speculations, Zuko-centric/inclusive. If 'shipping is involved, I'd prefer: Zukaang, Toko, Mai Lee, Zuko/Song, Jetko, Jinko, Maiko, Tyzula, Tokka, Song/Jin.
-Bully/ Canis Canem Edit: Humour, character introspections, genfic, any combination of Jimmy, Gary, and Petey (or all three) interacting, and Trent-inclusive pieces make my world go 'round. I'll admit it, I'm a Gary-whore; I love a well-written piece focusing on Gary.
-Harry Potter: Mild AU (you know, alternate endings), crackpair, angst, deathfic, general, heavy focus now on the Third Gen kids. I'll read a variety of 'ships (het, slash, and femslash), just no Draco/Gryffindor and I'm really not wild about cross-gen.
-Kingdom Hearts: Gen, drama, dark, alternate storylines in-universe, character introspections, Kairi (especially character development), friendship, and focus on characters other than Riku, Sora, or the Thirteenth Order. As far as 'shipping goes, I'm sick of Riku/Sora, Axel/Roxas, anything involving the Thirteenth Order; I'm up for femslash, I'll read SoRiKai and other OT3s, but I really prefer gen.
-Naruto- I'm falling out of this fandom, so really all I'm up for is NaruSaku, Sakura-centric, gen, dark, introspection, and maybe a side of femslash. I won't be committing to any multichaptered projects in this fandom anymore.
-Psychonauts- Gen, action, suspense, and character introspection/character studies. I'll casually read 'shipping and I'm really not picky about the pairs (or more) involved.
-South Park- South Park is my newest fandom but one I've dissected rather meticulously, as such I'm pickiest where this category is concerned. In this category I prefer humour predominantly, be it satirical, sardonic, or an accurate imitation of the show's style. I WILL read drama/angst, but I avoid the melodrama this fandom seems fond of; the drama here I prefer are pieces written with prose that's poignant yet succinct enough as the entirety of the story moves on with a general feeling of apathy while dull reverberations of aching emotion run just below. I feel if these children, as they grow older, are to feel any real impact angst-wise, it would be sort of the numbing feel the north still gives me: listless gloom in the wake of too much everything.
I'm open to 'shipping, particularly of the Wendy/Cartman and/or Stan/Kyle variety (I'm not hell bent on those 'ships, they're just my favoured ones).
-Venture Brothers- Honestly, there isn't much here, so I'm up for damn near anything.
-xxxHOLiC- Mimic the manga's storytelling style and I'll be hooked. In this fandom I look for darkfic, character introspections and studies, Himawari, suspense, and mystery. I love DouWata, but I'm damn sick of it; there's barely variety anymore so when 'shipping is involved I'd love to see more focus on the relationship dynamics between Doumeki, Watanuki, AND Himawari (I love interpretations of their relationship as three friends or as a menage a trois) and a little femslash never hurts. I'll also be more than willing to read Watanuki/Himawari and even Doumeki/Himawari.
Under construction. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
I'll be honest, I typically avoid parody, High School AUs, and crack ("sugar induced" or "inside joke") in all fandoms because the OOC hurts. I'm also not one to appreciate detailed lemons (with the exception of femslash) in a story... much less PWPs. The following are 'ships and/or themes I would prefer to avoid:
-Avatar: The Last Airbender- Zutara and Kataang. This is not set in stone; I'll always make an exception.
-Bully/ Canis Canem Edit: I'd prefer to avoid het in this category, actually. Also, a romantic Gary is just a big fat no.
-Harry Potter: Draco/Gryffindor (unless you can keep them IC) and ridiculous crack (like, anything involving CREATURES).
-Kingdom Hearts: Riku/Sora, Axel/Roxas (unless someone manages to actually GET the dynamics between those two), anything involving the Thirteenth Order, and really too much of Sora with any of the older characters.
-Naruto- Pends.
-Psychonauts- Let's keep 'shipping secondary or nonexistent here.
-South Park- Nothing too extreme, but I don't mind mix and matching in this category. I'll be honest, I really don't care for 'ships among the adults. One thing I cannot stand in this fandom, however, is the trend featuring Kyle suddenly breaking off all contact with Stan and then Stan goes all emo/goth and/or dies of a broken heart. I've got an entire rant on that, but essentially I'd rather avoid the pussy!Stan/bully!Stan and ice bitch!Kyle/girly!Kyle cliches.
-Venture Brothers- Yet to find anything that makes me think "DO NOT WANT."
-xxxHOLiC- I'd rather avoid DouWata since the fandom's run out of ideas, it seems.
Under construction. |
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