Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Hello, you can call me Yaxon. I've been with this site for nine years, and have been a Beta for six years. I am a senior in college. I enjoy writing for Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jackie Chan Adventures, Yu-gi-oh, and Naruto. In my time as a writer, I've come to depend on word count less and less, preferring instead to try and write out as much as I need to tell a story, no more, no less. On average, as of late, my chapters tend to be between twenty and thirty pages long; but I don't expect you guys to average that - I encourage you to write as much as you want. I am currently betareading three fics, and would like to accept more fics, if any. When betareading, if something doesn't seem right to me, I'll change it. Do be aware. I'll add something if I feel something should be added to enhance the mood or setting. br /br /br /br / br /br / br / br /br /br / br / br /br / br / My expectations for fellow writers are few, but very important. First, have a basic understanding of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling. I want you to have this so I can try and see what you want to express in your story. If it's unclear, I can't do that. Second, no chapters below 1000 words, even if it is a one-shot. Sorry, I don't work well with drabbles. Third, OCs must have flaws. No Gary Stus or Mary Sues. I'll be happy to betaread parodies about them, however. Fourth, and most importantly, have the willingness to improve. If I betaread and you don't improve, I feel like I am failing as a betareader. When I point out mistakes in your writing, do not take it personally, and please try and improve on your writing. People are so easily offended nowadays that it's not even funny. I will be as nice as I can be, but I WILL drill my criticism into your brain if I have to. br /br /br / br / br /br / br / br /br /br / br / br /br / br / My sole purpose for being a betareader is to see improvement in everyone's writing. As I've gone through college English courses, I've come to understand that criticism can be just as positive as it can be negative; more often than not, there's always something positive to say about a writer's work, and naturally the same can be said of the negative aspects. You'll never stop improving, that's just the way of the writer. When I betaread, I may take more than a day to ensure that I eyeball your story carefully and leave as few mistakes as possible. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I am fairly "Strong" in punctuation and spelling. DEFINITELY strong in spelling. I do okay with grammar, but I'm not perfect. I am humble, and will accept feedback from writers that criticize my betareading. Also, I am open to learning from the writers that I betaread for. For example, should I betaread a German writer's story that is in English, I will be "nicer" because Germans and Americans have different rules when it comes to grammar and punctuation. I will give comments on your writing, whether they be good or bad. I am willing to try new things like couples that aren't canon, or some other weird, crazy idea. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I am not perfect in grammar. That does not hinder me from betareading, however. I may end up making mistakes when betareading, and will not notice said mistakes. Detail isn't necessarily one of the strongest characteristics in my writing. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
I prefer to betaread stories in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jackie Chan Adventures, Xiaolin Showdown, Teen Titans, Pokémon, and Naruto. I will betaread Yu-gi-oh fics, but I haven't written for that in so long that I've probably forgotten a lot. I will write for any genre, any character(s) pretty much, except for 'Spirituality', 'Western', or 'Poetry'. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
No Yaoi, lemon, or lesbian fics.I prefer no OCXOC and canon characterXOC stories, but will be willing to try it if it's not dominant in your story... Ah, and no high school fanfics, no "canon character turned vampire" fanfics, and DEFINITELY no fanfics where the canon characters are outdone by OCs. Big no-no. Mary Sues and Gary Stus, unless done in a parody to make fun of them, are also a no-no. OCs are meant to have flaws, not to be worshiped by canon characters. And as for the other two conditions, this isn't High School Musical or Twilight. Sheesh... Lastly, if there's a couple that I'm not in favor of, mostly couples that have more pages than any other characters, I will most likely not betaread. Examples of this are Maya/Phoenix in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, and Zuko/Katara in Avatar: The Last Airbender. I will not take part in pairing wars! |
