Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I will admit I have only been a beta a small time, for a couple of friends. I consider it an honor to help out a fellow author with a fan fiction, as I feel it's something of a risk on the author's part to show a work to someone and ask for a critique. It takes a lot to display something you've worked hard on, put so much into, and perhaps feel very strongly about, to someone else who may hate it.
I like to beta in a style shown to me by a fellow author who beta-read a non-fan fic of mine, now up for professional publication, in which I read through a fic and put my spelling/grammar corrections, questions, and comments in the story itself in a highly contrasting font color, like red. This method has helped me modify my own writing style to be easier to read and comprehend so I feel it could be useful to others. But do not think I am a grammar-hound. If something is written a certain way for a reason, and I can see why it was done that way, I will perhaps note it, but not correct it (and ending sentences with prepositions doesn't bug me either). This way an author can recieve praise as well as critique right where it is deserved, without having to look back and forth from the bottom of the story or something and back again. I can read phonetic writing quite well, such as when a character's lines are written so his natural manner of speaking or accent is shown, so encountering such won't be a problem.
As for what to expect from me as a beta-reader, all I can say is this: honesty. If I find I cannot read a fic due to horrible syntax or dramatically jumping verb tense, or I have to correct a lot of spelling mistakes or can find very little to praise, I will say as much. This is nothing personal against the author. But were I to lie to spare someone's feelings, it would do the author no good in the long run and possibly ruin the story for anyone who reads it. I would be doing no one any favors. So expect honesty, and if I seem harsh, I would appreciate not being flamed for it. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I am a quick yet thorough reader, with a knack for taking what I read and turning it into a movie in my head. This lets me really grasp scenes and the more subtle aspects that authors might be seeking to bring out. If I am unfamiliar with a particular genre or category I will do what I can to learn more so I can understand inside jokes the author may use or references to places and people pertinent to the heroes. I am not particularly picky with what topics are covered in a story - whether religion, graphic language or violence - and it takes a lot to offend me, so virtually nothing is taboo. Should something truly offend me to the point that I cannot continue beta reading it, an author can expect a polite PM or email as is their perference explaining exactly why and an apology. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I easily get bored with over-descriptiveness. It doesn't interest me to know the minuté details of the city the heroes enter into so that by the time I get back to the hero, I've forgotten why he/she is there. That's not to say I don't enjoy description, but there is a thing called overdoing it. Should I be presented with such, I tend to skim over it to get back to the hero and the action or event. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I am fond of 'fluff fics,', and brother fics, though I will try virtually anything at least once. My favorite kind of fics are those that leave me on the edge of my seat, anticipating the next chapter so I can find out what happens next, or what so capture my imagination I continue to think over my favorite moments when I'm not reading the fic. I also an very fond of stories that show the bonds between characters.
And don't think if a certain category isn't on my list that I won't read it at all. If someone thinks they know a really great universe that I'm not aware of, feel free to PM me to see if I'm interested anyways. You never know when I could be proven wrong and find a new treasure (that's how I became addicted to Full Metal Alchemist and half of my other favs after all, someone else telling me to give it a try). Think you can broaden my horizon? Go ahead and try! ;) |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
Hero torture/mutilation for nothing more than shock value. I am not against graphic violence, nor heroes being hurt or worse as long as its somehow pertinent to the storyline. I have read stories on another site where in each one the heroes were killed off seemingly for no better reason than to kill them as strangely and painfully as possible, and I found it not repulsive, but tacky. Beyond this,I'll try anything once. |
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