Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Ah, hello my fellow FanFictioners who have been attacked by a plot bunny and are writing a story about something or another you wish for someone to Beta read. Well, dear. You've come to the right place. I absolutely love to Beta read. I've had people Beta read my own stuff, and it really helps. Not only does my story become better, but I become a better writer. I guess I'm beta reading now because I want to help other make their stories the best, and I want to help you become the best writer you can be. I love to read other people's work (have you SEEN my favorite stories list?!), and I always give my honest word.
Which brings me to what I do when I beta read. I read through it once to get the gist of what it's about. Then I'll read it again to do editing. I mostly focus on, well, anything, but I'm pretty good at characterization and plot line sort of stuff. I'm also extremely big on emotion. I have to be able to feel what your characters are feeling or else it's not something people can immerse themselves in. I focus on everything though, and I'll usually read through it at least 5 times. I'm thorough. I'll tell you the truth in what I think. Never will I tell you it's horrible because nothing is horrible. Things just sometimes need some work. I'll help you edit your story. I'll ask for your opinion. I'll give you MY opinions. For anything and everything. Chapter titles, inspiration, characters, events, the list goes on. I'm not saying I'm a picky person, but I'll critique you. It's what I'll do. I have to be honest. I'm not going to focus on your feelings about what I'm saying. If you're too sensitive to take constructive criticism, then you shouldn't come to me. I critique.
Let me tell you a little story. I use to get so angry when people would tell me what I needed to do to fix my work. I would get so upset when reviewers wouldn't tell me they loved it. But I've changed. And when you come to me asking me to beta read, don't expect me to tell you it's amazing. If IS good, I'll tell you. If it needs work, I'll tell you what needs work. You can't be sensitive to the point where I'll make you cry or piss you off. You've got to accept what I say, but disagree when you think I'm wrong. Defend your writing, but please, come to me willing to accept what I say, with an open mind.
Listen, you have to understand something about me. I am a writer. Wiring is everything to me. I need it as much as breathing. Just think about it. How amazing to be able to let a deaf person hear music. Or to let a blind person see a sunset. How amazing to let someone who's never been to the beach feel the sand between their toes. How amazing to be able to let someone who's never been in love feel the joy of it. How amazing to be able to let someone who's never cried feel tears rush down their face. How amazing to be able to let someone who's never known death feel the pain of it. How amazing to be able to let someone who's never experienced true pain before, feel it. How amazing to be able to let someone who's never lost someone by something not by death feel the sheer lostness and pure pain of it all. How amazing to be able to paint a picture of a sunset or the droplets of rain hitting the water like an echo swirling out towards the world, and all with words. I take writing seriously. It is the world to me. I couldn't imagine a life without it, and I will never stop it. Writing isn't about putting words onto a page and hoping a reader feels something. For how can you expect someone reading to cry when you did not cry yourself? |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
My strengths are characterization, emotion, detail, and plot line. I can help you make your characters in character while still making them your own. I'm pretty good at helping you let your characters go through a sort of transformation, too, if needed for the story. Emotion is always big with me, so I can definitely help with that. Detail is detail. Writing is just like painting, but words are used. Stories sometimes like the needed detail, even the slightest one, like the sparkle in someone's eye or the tears being help back. Nothing is truly unimportant, but there's a line. It's something I'm okay at, and that I'm better at helping others with. Plot line is one thing I know I'm great at. If you need help with plot line, I can most assuredly help.
One more thing. I always try to let people see things from another's point of view. I try and let my readers feel as if they are the narrator. Thoughts need to be evoked. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
Weaknesses are definitely present with me. As I'm sure you've seen, I don't really have the widest vocabulary, but I'm handy with a thesaurus. Not so awesome on grammar, either. Spelling is something I should work on (I'm ALWAYS using spell check), and repetitiveness is a major flaw in me. I accept them, though, and I tend to make them useful in some way or another. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
I'll read anything, as long as I know something about it. My fortes are romance, suspense, hurt/comfort, and humor. However, anything you need me to beta read, I'll beta read. I can adapt very easily to different genres.
As for the subject topic, I've got to know something about it.
And as for like, the TV Show/Book/whatever your using, I've had to have read/seen it before. I can't very well beta read something I know nothing of, now can I? |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
Nope. I can do pretty much anything you wish me to do. Not a picky person with things such as genres. They are ALL interesting and good to me. |
