Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Who am I as a Beta-reader? Well, honestly, I'd like to think that I am who I am in regards to editing as each person needs me to be. I'm not necessarily far-flung in the realm of fandoms, but I have written for a few.
My style follows the prior statement: my methods for editing change based on what each person is looking for and/or asking of me. If a person wants to be a realistic writer and accurate (say for medical-show fandoms where research is a must) for their genre, I will happily help research to make the narrative fit the story being told. If a person wants to make their writing more fluffy (that is, more descriptive) I can pull out a thesaurus and work on spinning some lovely cotton-candy word fluff.
The relationship between a beta-reader and the writer they're working for, to me, is a symbiotic relationship. Both persons give and take in equal parts. The story is the writer's child, and in essence, a beta- is a well-intentioned relative of the parent looking to give adive about raising the child. Through this sort of collaboration the best work possible can be achieved.
All I ask of my "clients" is that they take what constructive criticism I may have to offer to heart. If a person asks my advice I will give it - but I want to know that it is being considered. If someone does not agree with my assessment of something, fine. I'm not a perfect writer by any means. But by even asking for my opinion, one must be willing to accept said opinion. The whole reason people seek out beta-readers is because they want to improve their writing. If they find someone willing to help them, that beta-reader should be regarded with respect. Likewise, a beta-reader is just an editor. They did not stem the stories they are being asked to edit - they must always treat the author respectfully.
It is within the realm of a beta-/writer relationship that disagreements and squabbling will occur. But without respective acknowldegement of what both parties contribute to any given work, nothing fruitful will happen.
I will respect the authors that bring their work before me. I ask that, in taking the time to help them on their paths towards better writing, they respect me.
That is all. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
English is not my first language. German is. However, I took the ACT this past year and the PLAN test the year before that and both ranked me in the 97th percentile of the nation with regard to my writing ability and reading comprehension. So contextual editing is easy for me. I can pick up spelling errors easily. I also have an extensive vocabulary (or so I have been told) and can therefore help if someone has trouble with using the same repetitive words over and over and over.
As for narrative editing, I can jump between concise, fact-based writing and word-fluff at a moment's notice. While my own style tends more towards the concise than the overly-descriptive, I enjoy reading word-laden pieces, so long as it isn't too, too boring. So I can help with style of writing a lot if someone is jumping between these two ends.
I am also fluent in my first language - German. So if any random German snippets are ever needed, just to add flair, or some such thing, I can help with that. Other languages I can dabble in are Japanese and Spanish, if it tickles anyone's fancy. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
As I have said, I am not a perfect writer by any means. And although I have a firm grasp of the English language and sentence structures, I have a difficult time keeping the tenses in agreement. I can usually catch these errors through re-reading most work a time or two as a cautionary measure, but it is something I have always had a bit of a rough time with.
Also, I used to believe that semicolons were bent on the destruction of the English language. I used to find them completely pointless and, to this day, still don't fully understand their purpose, but I do tend to overuse them. Compound sentences and clauses and well... usually I can fit them in where, contextually, they actually do belong, but... Well, it's just another issue I have. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I will read almost anything and attempt to help edit anything - at least if it falls into one of the fandoms I write for, or at least am familiar with. Ratings do not bother me. Anywhere from "E" for "Everyone" to "MA" for "Mature Adults" only. As long as the story is written well, I will work with almost anything. Slash fiction, Yaoi, Yuri, or any other hashing of this type of story (Shoujo- and/or Shounen-ai etc...) is acceptable as long as the writing is tasteful. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
Most stories that involve original characters falling in love with, or somehow being related to a cannon character, I will not read. Original character can be used as creative plot devices as static characters, but they should not interfere with the main characters. It annoys me and I have read several stories involving such atrocities. Mary Sues are a no-no. |
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