Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Twelve years ago, I began writing serial-chaptered works for a web-published [now disbanded] Star Trek ezine when I was at university. As far as I am aware, digital versions of the ezine no longer exist, so please do not ask me to read them. I tried my hand at novel-length fiction about six years ago and discovered I have a knack for that as well.
If somebody tells me they want honest feedback, that is exactly what they will get. Even if I do not like a particular story arc, I still try to be as fair-minded as possible as a beta. Sometimes, I might come across as a bit cold or abrupt, but that is because I take the task of beta-reading very seriously. The prospective author has come to me with a job to do for them, and I strive to do the job in the most thorough manner that I possibly can. This does not mean that they are bound to do everything I recommend, of course.
Generally, the more potential I see an author has, the more involved my critiquing will become. That is since more sophisticated stories typically indicate a creator who is eager and more receptive to improvements in his or her story. I don't like to waste my time any more than you do, so if you wish to improve your writing skills, be prepared.
Since I'm a writer myself, I am well aware what we should strive for most is actual improvement. As such, I don't believe in just correcting every little thing FOR someone and giving it back to them. I view it very much as a learning process-one cannot properly learn how to improve something when somebody else does it all for them. If your technical language is sorely lacking, I will probably instruct you to go research your topic[s] of choice and rewrite your submission. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I am a Grammar Nazi. Dialogue is somewhat open to interpretation, as people and characters are not always going to speak in perfect English. I correct not only spelling, grammar usage, and syntax, but story continuity as well. I strive to pick out conflicting threads and point out logistics errors and holes in plot lines. If a writer finds himself at a loss in how to fill in the plot holes, I always try and give suggestions for how a story may remain concrete; I'm an excellent muse for when people get "stuck" on a particular area of a story.
I am very good at character dialogue and action sequences. It must read like an action sequence and not drag.
I can critique in nearly any character/narrator voice or genre. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I don't always catch spelling errors. I am very familiar with British-standard and American-standard English, but I do not have 100% accuracy.
I tend to get extremely irritated with people who over-Americanize Harry Potter stories. Again, I'm not a perfect Brit-picker, but I am quite a stickler on it.
I tend to get annoyed when a canon character is inexplicably behaving out of character [OOC]. This is especially if the OOC behaviour happens for no other discernible reason than to fit in-line with an author's story. [Parodies are, of course, largely exempt from this rule.]
Sometimes I can get "too cerebral" with explanatory narrative within my own stories. This has not yet proven a problem when I have critiqued the work of others. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I prefer canonical Harry Potter stories K - T.
Star Trek: TOS, TNG, Voyager K - T.
Doctor Who
Action, Drama, Comedy, Parody, AU, Family. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
I despise blatant Mary Sue/Gary Stu characters, unless it is for parody or comedy.
I do not like fandom or universe crossovers, unless it is for comedic purposes ONLY.
I do not like blatant slash. Nor do I like student/teacher relationships in any subgenre.
As long as is not a story's main focus, romance is fine. I prefer canonical relationships.
I much prefer not to critique fluffy, romantic, or overly 'shippy' works.
Ships that do my head in: Dramione, Harmony, Draco/Ginny, Harry/Cho, anything slash [this incl. any sort of incest or adult/child ships.] |
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