Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I have a fair bit of beta-reading experience, starting with my own fics: all of my stories have been dissected a minimum of three times with a red pen, and regularly more than that.
When it comes to other people's fics, I'm considerably nicer, but still somewhat critical. I do make an effort to point out what I see being done well, and I can do my best to emphasis this for you if you think you need it, but I'm not going to soften any blows when it comes to nonsensical plots, spelling and grammar and clunky word usage and dialog.
Expectations... Please don't whine, or come to me for ego-stroking. Other than that, if you're honestly interested in improving your work--which doesn't mean 'accept all my suggestions without question'--there's a good chance we'll get along. If we don't, I also understand that some people are simply a good match for each other, and other people aren't. If I'm not working for you, it's not going to offend me if you stop.
I will read for virtually any pairing that doesn't hit my squick button, and every fic that, well, doesn't hit my squick button--and that's not a lot. I don't have problems with AUs, crossovers, OCs, OFCs, slash, het, femslash, threesomes, foursomes, moresomes, gen, and most kinks, although you don't necessarily want to rely on me to write a lot of those.
I am happy to beta for English-as-a-second-language writers as well! |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
The mechanics of writing: I'll catch almost all spelling and grammar errors. I've got a good eye (ear?) for word flow and order, and sentence structure. I bridge the line between adjectiveless writing and purple prose and, relating to that last one, I've got a good vocabulary, so I catch thesaurus mistakes. (You know how not all words listed in a thesaurus are exact synonyms? That would be an obvious thesaurus mistake. It also applies to the context of certain words.)
Plots: I've got good pacing, and I insist on something that makes at least a *little* sense.
Characterization: I'm good at catching character voice and creating balanced OCs, instead of Sues or, just as bad, characters tipped too far the other direction, so they're simply kind of annoying.
I do good psychoanalysis for fictional characters, and fic relating to that: character-driven fic.
Research: I do it. This means I do pretty good psuedo-science, especially for the natural sciences. Biology, yum. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
The mechanics of writing: I sometimes confuse 'this isn't how I would say this' with 'this is wrong.'
Plots: Forest-for-the-trees, since we're being honest. I also have a pretty poor memory, and I'm likely to forget what happened last chapter.
I also write highly questionable action scenes; I'm not a visually-minded person, and all in all it's just not a strong point of mine.
Characterization: I tend to be too forgiving when it comes to what's in-character for antagonists, because I have a shades-of-gray mentality that gets out of hand, and a deep, deep love for redemption fics.
Punctuality: There is a very, very good chance that I will take forever to get something out. You can prevent this by frequent prodding, hopefully. I don't *want* to procrastinate as much as I do...
Canon: I'll probably miss subtle details, to be honest. And, embarrassingly, possibly glaring errors, too. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I'm more involved in certain fandoms than others right now, but I'm still up for most things.
That said, I'd really, really like it if you have already edited your fic before you send it to me. I understand it's difficult to catch your own mistakes, but please make an effort?
Transformers-specific: Movieverse is my main fandom, I'm working my way into G1-proficiency and I'm slowly familiarizing myself with Armada. For other fandoms, I'm not going to be able to do much more than spelling and grammar.
I love character-driven fics, romance or otherwise, and people moving into and adapting to new situations, and growing up. I also love redemption-fic, as mentioned previously; redeeming villains? One of my favorite things ever, if handled well. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
I'd rather not read or beta any sort of noncon--non consensual--fic. What this translates to, for me: pedophilia; incest; teacher-student; one--or, in some cases, both--characters under the influence of drugs or alcohol; one character feels forced into the relationship and goes along with it, for whatever reason; out-and-out violent rape; scenes where a character is "convinced" to have sex, despite their protests.
If I am reading slash, I want it to be between two men, not a man and a girl who happens to come outfitted with manbits instead. Crude as that may sound, keep your exaggerated 'uke' stereotypes away, please.
For completely different reasons, no stickyfic or holosex for Transformers fandom, please. I also have an aversion to SamxBee for the 2007 movie, because I *like* Mikaela, and she always gets the short end of the stick in those stories. If you are convinced that you have not raped Mikaela's character, try sending it to me, but keep in mind that I am liking to be even harsher than I normally am.
SamxBeexMikaela, however, is a different story altogether! |
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