Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I was a beta over at the Harry Potter fic site Checkmated several years ago (betas are called "prefects" over there). I've been on hiatus for a long time and have become involved in new fandoms, so I'm excited to be here at FanFiction where I can branch out a bit! br /br /br / br /br / br / I am here to help YOU become a stronger writer. I can be as basic or as detail-oriented as you want me to be; I can focus solely on proofreading, or I can work with you to really refine your style and help you develop your own voice. In short, I can give you as much or as little as YOU want (or are willing to accept), and in whatever manner you find most helpful. br /br / br / br /br / br / On first approach to a story, I'll do a once-through, making general notes of any obvious typos and/or plot questions. On subsequent reads, depending on the needs/desires the author has expressed, I'll make more detailed notes before communicating back with the author. I'll go ahead and make basic/objective changes (spelling, grammatical errors, typos, etc.) in the document itself using track changes, so that the author can both see what I've altered and decide for themselves whether they wish to keep the changes. For more subjective feedback I'll use side-comments or write something in a separate document or e-mail.br /br / br / br /br / br / An author who wants to solicit my beta services should be someone who is willing to accept constructive criticism. I will NEVER insult you or your work, but if YOU come to ME asking for help, please at least do me the courtesy of considering my suggestions! (Nothing makes me crazier than to have authors ask for my help, then blow off every suggestion I offer.) My promise to you, the author, is that I will word my comments in as kind and diplomatic a manner as possible. What I, the beta, request from you in return is that you hear me out! You obviously don't have to accept my suggestions (it is, after all, your story), but at least listen with an open mind and be willing to try something a little different from time to time. Remember, my job is to make you look good! |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
Spelling, basic grammar, and punctuation are strong suits for me. I live on Dictionary.com and have been accused by my colleagues of being the "grammar police." I'm a stickler for sentence structure and have a great eye for flow and readability. I'm very concerned with making sure that characters are written, well, "in character" in both word and action. (Chalk that up to my training as an actor-I have to believe that the established character actually WOULD say/do whatever is indicated, so if something seems off or out-of-character, I'll notice it pretty quickly.) I especially enjoy making sure that characters have a distinct voice. (For example, in the NCIS:LA fandom, Eric Beale and Hetty Lange have COMPLETELY different speech patterns, vocabularies, etc. They need to "sound" different in the written world, too.) br /br /br / br /br / br / As indicated in my profile above, I'm a pretty flexible beta. I can work in whatever style works best for you-I consider this a strength because it enables me to work well with many different authors and personality types! |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I'm not your English teacher. If you are writing something you plan to use for your coursework that needs to be technically perfect, you may want to talk to someone else. I'm more interested in telling a story effectively than I am in having a "perfect" piece of writing. Also, depending on what is going on in my life at the moment, my response turn-around times can vary greatly. However, if you have something you want/need posted very quickly, I can work with you if you let me know in advance. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
I prefer friendship fics, gen fic, hurt/comfort, and relationship/romantic fics that fall within my chosen ships. NCIS = Tiva & McAbby. NCIS:LA = Densi, Eric/Nell, Callen/Nell. HP = Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione. I'm open to other possibilities as long as isn't slash/femmeslash or my big no-go ship (see below). I enjoy fics that are funny, silly, and/or intentionally crack!fic-ish. I'm a sucker for well-written dialogue and banter. :-) |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
I'm not big on slash/femmeslash-it's not a homophobic thing, I just think it's best to stick to what I know. Even in het stories, I have a hard time beta-reading M-rated stories. I don't mind reading them, but I'm not good at beta-ing them. (My inner 12yr old giggles like Mr. Bean every time I have to write words relating to anatomy or sex acts, which gets awkward real fast.) Also, in Harry Potter fandom, NO Harry/Hermione. I've tried and tried, and I just. Can't. Do it. br /br /br / br /br / br / Also, I won't beta fics where the situation and/or characters are wildly, unbelievably OUT of character. If it's too far-fetched (and not an intentional choice to be so) I just can't read it. We like the characters because of the way that the original authors/creators have written them, so when fanfic authors take them too far beyond the scope of what's plausible, it's pretty much a turn-off. Intentional supernatural or crack!fic stories are one thing. Doing it UNintentionally is another kettle of fish entirely. br /br / br / br /br / br / I'm also not big on crossover fic, but I won't say no entirely. If it's intentially crack!fic or especially believable and convincing, I'll give it a try... but it had better be pretty impressive. ;-) |
