Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Outside of Fanfiction, I work as a university writing consultant and composition instructor. I have a great deal of experience discussing writing with others, and prefer to turn beta-reading into a conversation between myself and the author, rather than just acting as a quick grammar fix. I'm very attentive to detail, and I tend to place a heavier emphasis on characters (and being in-character) than on action. Nevertheless, some of my favorite scenes to beta are battle scenes.
As a beta-reader, I aim to help authors improve their writing and become popular (i.e., gain more reviews). I'm not ashamed to admit that; every author wants to be well-acknowledged for his or her work. I'm dedicated, and don't have any problems going out and researching if I need to know something in order to beta-read a chapter. I have worked with skilled beta-readers and writers before, so I have enough experience to make the beta-author relationship flow smoothly.
Unfortunately, I do come with a warning label: I can be very stubborn and I don't sugarcoat my suggestions. (They're meant to be read, not to be eaten.) If you are an author who cannot take constructive criticism well, I recommend that you don't request my services as a beta. But don't worry, really--I'm a super nice person!
Overall, I am a devoted and hard-working beta-reader who will not shy away from helping writers make any and all important revisions. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I have an extensive knowledge of grammar and am experienced at grammar-checking writing. Having been a writing consultant as well as a creative writing major, I have a good grasp on story organization and flow, and I personally feel that I have a decent hold on a wide variety of fanfiction characters. I have experience writing in several different genres from romance to occult. I'm accepting of writing styles and topic choices different from my own. As I said in my profile, I'm devoted and detailed, so you will not just get a few careless comments on your work. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
My primary fault is that I do not have a lot of time. I work three jobs, typically take eighteen units a semester, and handle a household on my own. I am also a writer and webcomic artist, both things which consume a great deal of my free-time. If you are interested in requesting me as a beta, please take a look at the list of things I will not have time to beta-read.
Like I said, I am not afraid of making direct suggestions. I am very honest.
I don't write smut, so if your story contains a lemon, my responses will be from a reader's (not a writer's) perspective only.
I can be overly poetic with my writing, so if I find that your work is very simple and straightforward, it's likely that I'll suggest enough metaphors to make you sick. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I enjoy beta-reading both canon and AU stories, but AU is my specialty. I like both romance and angst, but I am also a fan of many, many other genres and would love to see stories that don't revolve solely around romance.
I prefer to beta-read stories that contain pairings I ship. There is a list of pairings that I like in my author's profile--please check it before sending a request. I won't refuse to beta-read for other pairings, but the less I like the pairing, the harder it will be to convince me to beta-read for you.
I prefer to beta boy's love stories over traditional het stories, but I do ship some het pairings so, once again, check my list.
I love to beta-read battle scenes and stories that involve character introspection.
Because of time constraints, I prefer to beta one-shots or very short stories. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
There are many things I will not beta-read. First off, I will not beta for a series I do not read/watch. I feel like I need to know the characters writers are working with in order to be an effective beta-reader.
As I said above, though I will not refuse a story based on its pairing, I have no interest in beta-reading heterosexual smut. There are quite a few pairings that I dislike, and if your story involves one of those pairings, you will probably recieve less priority than an author who ships the same pairing I do. Sorry, that's how I am.
I may refuse to beta-read stories where characters are inexplicably addicted to alcohol, drugs, or sex. Oftentimes these stories are gratuitiously OOC, and I wouldn't even bother to read them. If your story involves a character with a substance addiction, you better be able to justify it damn well.
I may refuse to beta-read stories that go against my morals. I will not beta-read stories that I feel are racist, intolerant, or bordering on illegal--meaning I will not beta stories that include "vore" or positive portrayals of rape or child abuse. Why anyone would portray those things positively, I don't know.
I will not beta-read stories that include self-insertion or original characters being paired with canon main characters. I will probably refuse stories that include original characters as protagonists. No one likes Mary-Sues.
I will not beta-read "interactive" or script-form stories.
PLEASE note: I do not have copious amounts of time to spend beta-reading. I will accept no more than two or three stories per month, and I will NOT beta-read long multi-chapter stories. If you have one-shots or a two or three chapter story, I would be happy to help you. An epic story on the other hand, yeah, not my cup of tea. |
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