Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I am one of those people who re-writes dialogue in novels I am currently reading. I cannot help but edit. On the one or two times I've printed out other people's fics, just for my own reading, I've made changes. My own works see constant revision, though I don't always post new versions as often as I did.
As a result, any fic that comes my way gets this sort of treatment as it is. The major difference is, I don't normally send it back with my pencil-notes embedded in it. Mostly, this is due to the lack of mechanisms to make this possible.
I have collaborated with other writers on fics in the past, usually anonymously. None of them have complained yet about my ruthless style of re-writing their works.
Normally, when I do beta-read for someone, I embed formatting marks straight into the fic itself. I use to mark a part I feel needs to be deleted, [ -> ] to mark a suggested change, or {} to mark a suggested addition. For comments that fall into none of the above, I will usually set them off in a separate paragraph, marked with standard brackets (). The advantage to this is that it reduces the editing that the writer needs to do in order to incorporate or remove any of my suggested changes. The downside is that it can make a fic harder to review, when you get it back. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
Dialogue is a strength of mine; I do well with it. I also am picky about spelling and grammar. Not perfect, just picky. I also feel that I know when it is better to ignore proper grammar. My grasp of canon in my preferred series is good, but I'm not going to jump up and down and scream if you violate canon; Lord knows little enough of my own writing adheres to canon. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
While dialogue is a strength, it is also a weakness. I tend to over-dialogue, and skimp on action and description. This will be reflected in my less-than-detailed examination of action or description. Good for some styles, but not others. Also, being a Canadian, my spelling is Imperial, and though I know that not everyone uses Imperial spelling, it can throw some people to see it in my comments. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I prefer fics based around the following series: Ranma 1/2, Angelic Layer, Ah! Megami-Sama, Escaflowne, Tenchi Muyo, Macross, Southern Cross, Evangelion, Mospeada, Nadesico, House M.D., Harry Potter. Theme is irrelevant; I'll read almost anything based on the above. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
I will beta-read almost anything, but may not be able to check your canon on series I am not familiar with. *Almost* anything; I will not even open a Self-Insert fic. Oh, the irony, considering I've written one. |
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