Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
First off, I rarely agree to beta for people, and I'm picky about those who I beta for. So, if I turn you down, don't take it personally. I also don't generally beta for those not fluent in the English language. Again, nothing personal, I just tend to use a lot of complicated language both in my commentary and in my suggestions for how you might reshape your story. Needlessly complicated, you might say. I'm not always the most forgiving, either. If I accept your request, I will go over your work with a fine toothed comb, and I will question every last little thing. You may not like the questions and you may not like the answers. That said, while I hold everyone I beta for to a high standard, I do make allowances for age and experience. I will push you, but I will not ask you to do more than I think you're capable of. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I'm an exceptionally fast reader, excellent at finding spelling mistakes, skilled (but not, I shall admit, perfect) on grammar, excellent on characterization and very good with continuity in fandoms in which I am familiar. This is both in terms of remembering canon and keeping the internal continuity of a fic in order. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I lead a fairly busy life, and I'm easily distracted, so sometimes I need to be reminded to beta your work. If I think something is wrong, I will tell you, bluntly. If it's a plot point I don't like, I'll tell you and I'll tell you why. If I think the story is beyond saving and needs to be taken back to square one, I will tell you. If I think that you urgently need remedial spelling lessons, I will inform you of this. In the end, however, it is your story, and your decision. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
To be honest, not really. I like to consider myself fairly versatile, though I have a particular inclination towards Humour. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
I won't beta stories featuring child pornography and the like. If you write a compelling, dark incest story, then I'll beta it and probably enjoy doing so. But if it's solely for the sake of titillation, then, no. Just, no. I generally don't beta pairings I have rooted objections to, and I despise all forms of character bashing. I find Mpreg and similar conventions to be exceptionally irritating, and save in a select few circumstances where canon biology makes it possible, find it a complete non-starter. I further object to the whole seme and uke concepts that some fanfics import from Manga and Anime, two forms of media that I usually (but not invariably) dislike. Sexism, racism, homophobia - if they're expressed by the narrative as a whole rather than simply by a character who does so in canon, I will refuse to beta your work. |
