Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I'm Mandi and I'm currently a high school senior, so I am only accepting shorter fics at the moment, because I've had trouble in the past with keeping focus long enough for longer fics. I'm a perfectionist, so I can be rather critical and blunt without meaning to be. I'm interested in being a beta for a multitude of different fics with different styles and genres. While I'm obviously here to help with the technical writing, I'm also here to help you with the story, which means that I am more than glad to help with characterization, world building, plots, etc. When I choose to beta for someone, I request the first chapter through DocX on Fanfiction Net, because I want to: see how you write, what I can expect, see how you react to the changes, and decide from the overall experience if I'd like to continue as a beta for you. (Please note that if I say no after the first chapter, it may not have anything to do with you. I have a lot going on in my life and being a beta can be hard and frustrating.) There are three options here: yes, no, or temporary basis. No means that I will no longer be your beta (for this story at least). Temporary basis means that I can only offer myself as a beta for one chapter at a time, through DocX. Yes means that I'm choosing to commit myself to being your story's beta. If I continue, I'll give you my email address to send me chapters. I accept chapters in either Word or Google Docs, which you send is up to you. When beta reading, I correct all technical errors immediately. For plot, characterization, world building, etc., I'll leave questions or comments in parentheses for you. (All corrections will be in a different color.) Private messages are the only messages I will respond to for being a beta. I do require multiple things to be included, or else I will immediately reject it. (Relax, it's nothing too bad. You should be sending it anyways after all.) I need to know the fandom, a general summary of the story and its major events and players, any pairings in the story, the rating, and any warnings that may apply. If you'd include even more information, that's even better. The more I know about the story, the more I can decide on if I'm the right person to be your beta. After you post your story, I do expect at least comment crediting me as your beta. While this all sounds kind of harsh and strict, I am a pretty chill person. As long as you're cool with me, I'm cool with you. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
The technical side is super easy for me for the most part. I may occasionally miss a stray comma, but for the most part, I think it's safe to say that I'm a very good writer from the technical standpoint. I tend to focus a lot on characters and characterizations, especially original characters. They're notoriously difficult to do properly, so I am one hundred percent here to make sure that your character meshes with the universe. I'm also very interested in the mythology of a universe and want to make sure that it's accurate. Finally, I want to make sure that your plot is smooth, there's no plotholes, and a subplot hasn't wandered off into the nightmare realm, never to be seen again. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
Despite the fact that I have a wonderful memory about the stupidest things (which includes memorizing a forty page script in less than three days, despite the fact I had a grand total of three lines), I can forget that I need to beta thoroughly AND quickly. I can take awhile, so please don't hesitate to send me a message about it. I never intend on dropping a fic or vanishing off the face of the earth, so don't let me! You deserve better than that. My personality is also rather... blunt, for lack of a better word, so if you feel like I'm purposely being rude or mean, please let me know! I never intend on making people feel bad, but sometimes, I do it by accident. I'm working on it though. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
While I'm flexible with how long a story is, I do prefer if it's over a thousand words per a chapter, unless it's a prologue, teaser, or drabble. I tend to prefer to beta for the next generation in Charmed, especially Chris. For Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, I haven't been a beta or written anything yet, but I prefer stuff with Zed and Addison. Overall, I am very interested hurt/comfort, friendship, and family. Romance isn't my expertise and I prefer it not being the main part of the story, but I will do it. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
I'm hesitant to say that there are things I would definitely not beta read. However, off the top of my head, I don't do wish fulfillment fics or fics where the author can't accept criticism. I don't beta fics that are pure sex, rape, or torture, but I will beta fics that include them. However, I don't ever beta fics with incest if it's treated as anything good or acceptable. At the moment, I don't beta smut. Considering that I only speak English, I will not beta for stories of different languages. Song fics, chat fics, list fics, etc. are also not things that I'll do. |
