Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
As a beta-reader, I look at stories very critically. I make sure to offer feedback on everything I see. I don't look at just grammar (although that is very important). I take grammar to a whole new level. How is the writing style affecting the tone? Characters? Plot? Beyond grammar, I look closely at the character and plot development. How are the two intertwined? Is the plot too confusing? Are the characters hard to remember? Is it too complicated? Is it too simple? These are a few of the many questions I ask myself. I've been told I offer too much back to authors...but then they aren't serious writers. As a writer myself, I know exactly what to give back to others. I don't glaze over chapters to double-check your mistakes. I always want to scrutinize a piece of writing to tell the author my opinion on it. There are tons of things that go into writing, and I try as hard as I can to examine the author's ideas and how they are conveyed through the story. It doesn't matter if your story is good or bad. It could be the next greatest piece of Pulitzer-Prize winning literature or the most undeniably terrible thing ever to be spewed out. No matter what it is, I'll give you my honest opinion.
That's my policy: honesty. I'll tell you how it is. Maybe there is one section that just plain sucks. And I'll say to you, "You know what? I absolutely detest this part right here. You can do better." Because no matter what you write, it can be improved. If you look at your own work and find nothing wrong with it, then you aren't looking hard enough. To me, it might seem perfect, and there is the occasional piece that's absolutely right on target. But an entire story, heck, a chapter even, as a whole, always has room for improvement. That's all I want to do; to help other writers improve. I'm no Rowling, King, or Kafka, but I do know a thing or two about writing, and I know how to look at something objectively and be able to help someone else. I'm NOT trying to be mean in any way, shape, or form. Some writers on here are very young, and I doubt that eleven or twelve year-old will be able to do anything decent by my snobbish, literary standards. I admit now, that I do tend to be a snob. If I think something is bad, I'll say it plain and simple, "I don't like it." However, I also want to add that when I first start beta-reading for a certain person, I tend to be very nice, and let loose a little bit more depending either on my mood or how well I know them. I won't say that something is bad. I'll tell you that I dislike it, but then give you constructive criticism on how to improve it. My goal is not to shoot you down and then just walk away. My goal is tell you my opinion and how I think you can fix your work to get it to be the best it possibly can be. I'll push you to work harder.
I won't lie, if I know you better, I'm more likely to be more blunt. Someone I don't know as well, it won't be sugar-coated, just worded nicer. And on that note, to anyone who likes what I give them or how I assist them, don't hesitate to message me if you'd like me to become your permanent beta-reader.
I like to analyze things. I like to look at the small, minuscule details that make a story what it is. The things that are so complex, it might go over a reader's head on the first, quick reading. I'll try to look for the little quirks that even I don't notice on my first reading of a book. Little words or phrases that offer foreshadowing, a character's movement or attitude, anything at all that you feel will help enhance the story later. Don't be afraid to spoil it for me. You want to include something in this chapter that is subtle foreshadowing for the twist ending? Go ahead and tell me what it is, and I'll help you out. Whatever you need to make your story better, I'm there to help you out.
But as the writer, you can't take everything I say personally. Everyone has their good and bad chapters. Some are phenomenal, while others are mediocre. No one's perfect. I'm far from perfect. Because I understand where you're coming from, I think I'll be able to help you to get exactly what you want. But you have to tell me what you're expecting. What do you want the reader to get out of this chapter? What kind of reaction are you looking for? You need to tell me what you want the reader to get out of the story. Any notes you want to give me on whatever you send me are greatly beneficial. Background information on the characters, and back story that might not come in 'til later. Tell me everything that's necessary for me to give you good feedback.
Or maybe you want me to know as little as your reader. That's fine too. Just send me the chapter, let me fend for myself, trying to figure things out. I'll send you back my thoughts on your work, and you can do with it what you will. When it comes to that, I'm very flexible. Send me whatever you want, and I'm willing to give you as much feedback as I possibly can.
If you feel comfortable, give me your email or an instant messenger screenname, and we can talk while I betaread, allowing me to ask you direction questions as a reader while I'm looking over it. This is your choice entirely. No pressure. You don't know what my face looks like, and I understand. I promise not to stalk you. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I'm very meticulous. I can look at one paragraph and find little things the reader might not notice the first time around. I look at someone else's work very carefully to try and look for how to improve it. With your purpose in my mind, I can take that perspective and try to look at it two ways: as a writer and as a reader. I take on both these roles when I betaread, so that I can give you as much feedback as I can. I'm an English major, if that helps. I might accidentally write a full-length essay. It's been known to happen occasionally (Just a few times last summer...).
I'm not afraid to tell you how it is. If something's bad, I'll say it's bad. I might wait to get to you know a little bit before saying, "THIS SUCKS!" (That only happened once too on a bad day...) The point is, I know how to read, and I can read well. Tell me what you want out of a betareader, and I'll give you that and more. I want to help you improve your work. Isn't that what I'm here for? Help me help you. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
After reading something five times, I can still miss grammatical errors. I might have some sort of visual deficiency, no one really knows for sure. So if there's still some mistakes, I apologize in advance. I'm also incredibly busy with school and life, in general, so if I don't get back to you for a little while, that's why. I'm in college, so things are busy for me. If you go a week without hearing from me, don't worry. Maybe worry after a month or two...things might get shaky then...but in general, I at least try to respond to messages quickly, if not do the actual betareading right then.
I can sometimes come off as rather rude, headstrong, stubborn, and just plain mean sometimes. I promise you that I'm not a mean person. Most of the mean things I say are in jest (and the people I don't like know who they are). I don't know why I would be betareading for someone I hate, so I think that makes us safe there. My bluntness can be taken the wrong way. If you're sensitive, then maybe you don't want me reading your work. My goal is not to hurt you, but offer constructive criticism aimed at improving your writing. That may not come across the right way if you're a sensitive person. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I would prefer something original. If it's another sappy love story with no plot and just a few people having sex for a couple of hours, then don't even bother. I don't believe in censorship, let me say that now. If there's sex, drug use, language, or anything that some people might find offensive, it won't bother me (read my stories, and you'll figure that out). But if there's no purpose to the story, just two people smoking illegal substances or copulating like bunny rabbits, don't bother. However, I have read plenty of sexually-charged oneshots that have deep plots and meaning to them. If there's something unique about your story, send it to me.
Plain and simple, I'll take any genre. Two guys romantically connected? Send it. Two girls? Send it. Adult and child? Send it. Notice that I don't mind sex. (What does that say about me?) Coarse language, lots of alcohol, anything, I don't mind. As far as genres go, I don't care. Anything goes. So unless you're severely opposed to my betareading style, then go ahead and send me what you have. It doesn't matter to me what it is. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
I really would prefer that my IQ didn't drop while reading the story. But you people know who you are. You may be wondering what a beta-reader is right now...that's all right. You'll learn. There isn't anything I won't read...except for one thing...
If you send me a Marauders playing truth-or-dare with the trio, any other character you like, and you and your friends, I might slap myself. Or you. Those are just unacceptable and grossly overdone. |
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