Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I'll beta any story that seriously aspires to imitate JK Rowling's style of writing. My focus of interest lies in linguistic features, tidbits - little details most people tend to ignore, like the difference between "thank God" and "thank Merlin" in the HP series. If you are basically a good writer but want to give your work some more polishing, I believe I can be of assistance.
Betaing-style-wise, I tend to be extremely nitpicky in parts, cross out entire sections if I don't like them, and make suggestions for entirely new paragraphs, though I rarely ever say "this has to go". I am good at making suggestions, bad at making decisions for others.
I'll also probably mark sections where I get bored, but not necessarily cross them out. I represent a type of reader who gets bored quite easily, so the things that don't work for me might work for others. Again, the choice is with the author.
I can help with some specifically British matters, though some errors will probably escape me, particularly in the area of 1970s culture. I'm just not old enough to have a lot of experience in that area.
My style of criticism is always friendly - I tend to say what I liked before I go on pointing out the parts that need revision, for example. If you write a Mary-Sue, though, I won't hesitate to use the term just because some writers see this as an insult. You must be able to tell the difference between technical terms of criticism and insults, otherwise we won't match. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
linguistic features (British English), Rowling-language, logic errors, spotting of overused concepts, Rowling-characterisation, story-internal character development (as opposed to action sequences) and character consistency, dialogue, in-character speech |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
consistency errors, detailed knowledge of canon beyond the seven main books/interview information, action sequences |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I'll do any story in which Severus and Minerva have a romantic relationship of some sorts, except for really graphic stuff, which isn't allowed on here anyway. I'll do any Severus or Minerva story that picks my interest within the first chapter, which isn't as easy as it sounds.
I'm fine with tons of other characters, too. My focus of interest is in the Marauder area. Generally, the more in-character your main characters are, the more likely I am going to do the job. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
I don't beta AUs or cross-overs. Exception: Anything that is canon-compliant up to book six and then goes AU. Because I think DH sucked and deserves alternatives.
I won't beta anything that's designed to be not very close to canon in terms of characterisation and/or language. If someone aims to write canon but fails, I'll try to help. But if you have something in mind that is probably a lot further away from canon than the types of stories I write, please look for someone else to beta your work.
I don't do stories with Ron as a main character, unless they are extremely convincing. |
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