Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I've done a little beta reading before for one or two friends so, wow, I just realised I actually do have a specific style of doing it. I try to ensure I take no more than two days to return the work because I know as well as anyone the desire to get a chapter/fic out as soon as possible and start getting feedback on it. I only have Microsort Word so if I'm sent anything in something more complicated than that I'll probably cry. Or something. :S
I remember from one of my own experiences with a friend (a few years ago) where I sent her a chapter to edit and when I got it back, it was literally impossible to tell what she'd changed - if anything. I fumed a little about it and it really shaped how I edit when I started. I use a different colour to the font colour already there and I am always as contructive and helpful as possible - after all, what point is a beta reader who isn't helping you improve? If there's something you are consistantly making errors on, I'll point it out. And I am ALWAYS nice.
Finally, I am actually Australian and I use British spellings of words (e.g. favourite, colour, centre, etc) so if you use the American spellings, you'll probably want to tell me so before I go through and change it all. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I have strong grammar and spelling skills. (Especially since I get really obsessive and nitpicking when I'm writing so I always seem to pick up errors in my own writing that even other people don't!) In general, I am pretty good at keeping characters from being OOC. And, um, oh ... I can't think of anything else. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I hate confrontation and offending people so I might not be the best person to give a critical analysis of your story. There's no guarantee I'll pick up every mistake - I'll get most of them, but one or two might slip though. And, in terms of One Piece, I've only read up to the Alabasta arc so I can't really help with fic's that pass that point - at least, not with characterisations of anyone who hasn't been in the series for long after that (like Chopper, Ace, and Robin). |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I am a huge slash/shounen-ai fan, so that will always be preferred to het or femmeslash/shoujo-ai (though I'm not adverse to beta reading those).
As far as pairings go, I'll definitely beta:
ONE PIECE - Zoro/Luffy, Gin/Sanji, Sanji/Usopp, gen.
HARRY POTTER - Harry/Draco, Sirius/Remus, gen.
THE BILL - Zain/Mickey, other slash, gen.
There are others I'd beta, but those are the main ones that I certainly wouldn't turn down. Basically, if it isn't in the "Rather Not" section, I'll do it. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
ONE PIECE - Zoro/Sanji, Zoro/Nami, Luffy/Nami.
HARRY POTTER - Harry/Ginny, Harry/Ron, Harry/Hermione, Neville/Hannah, Severus/Remus, Severus/Lucius, Volemort/anyone.
THE BILL - Jo/Sam, Diane/Nikki.
And, for all catagories, Mary-Sues & Gary-Stus. |
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