Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Generally, I find that my grammar and spelling are fine. However, when I look and edit at other people's work, I have a more critical eye. I'm not really sure why, but that makes me sound a bit hypocritical, haha. Well, I guess it's because I don't really have any expectations from my own writing. I've edited other peoples work before (not on this site though). As a beta-reader, I'm not very experienced /br / I think I'm moderately fine, but I work best when you expect me to fix grammar or spell check. If you want me to edit your story style, I'll need a bit of help however. You'll need to give me an example of your ideal style, and from there I can move on. Sometimes, I will have to contact you for this kind of thing, because what I think might be a mistake or confusing, might not actually like that. So if you do send something for me to beta-read, please do leave me a way to contact you if needed. br / br / I don't have many expectations about people that acquire my 'services', but I do expect your typing to be legible. Meaning: no l33t speak, or replacing words with letters, or text talk. That is simply unacceptable, and I will refuse to edit your work otherwise. I apologize, but if your typing is so bad that I can't read it, than you can simply go and find someone else. br / br / FANDOMS: I obviously am not familiar with every single fandom on this website. When you send me your story, please tell me about the fandom its from, or the characters you're writing about. Also, tell me whether I actually need knowledge about the fandom or not. Generally, I will be willing to beta-read, but if I don't know the fandom well, I'll be less willing. But that won't stop me from reading a good story when it's complete ;) |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I excel at writing feelings. I think that I' would be better at writing feelings like:br /br / I swallowed, but my throat was as dry as parchment. My hand traced over the wood, and some how, the usual smoothness felt like millions of pin pricks on my skin. It was cold, and it tingled. I lifted my hand, but it was the same as ever. But I could feel the difference, even if I couldn't see it. I felt empty, in that moment, and it scared me. Was I dying? I swallowed, but my throat was as dry as parchment. br / br / That was a spur of the moment thing, no previous planning. I hope that gives you a rough idea of what I am more comfortable at writing / br / I am also very good at noticing grammar or spelling mistakes. If I'm familiar with a fandom, then I'll also be able to point out any potential plot-holes that I see. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
DIALOGUE. I find writing dialogue difficult. I can only write characters to talk the way I talk, so it takes a few rereads to realize if they're in character or /br / However, I don't find this problem when I'm reading another person's work, and can tell whether a character's speech is something typical of the character or not. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
I have no preferred story type, since I have no experience. But some things are just not of my cup of tea. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
Although I don't really mind any kind of story, fan-fiction that includes intimate sexual scenes just isn't my cup of tea. Though I don't mind extreme amounts of gore or adult language. I do hope you understand, but I'm just not comfortable with the kind of stories that include, well, sex. Reading it is alright, but it makes me a bit queasy, so I'd prefer not to read it. I'm sorry if this causes you any trouble, but I will honestly NOT edit/read any sexual work that you send me. I apologize, but I just can't do it. I have nothing against homosexual fanfiction, or homosexuals in general, but many stories involving such pairings are basically such pornography without plot, or terribly written plot. Hetero-writers, make you sure you remember that too! I love reading ridiculous romance, but if it seems that your story is nothing but that the pairing being thrown into horrid situations that don't make sense... Sorry, but no. OC's: I love OC's! I really do! When an OC is wonderfully written, I love them to bits. However most of the time... they are not very wonderfully written. I will not use the term 'Mary Sue' because that is offensive and means too many things. However, characters that practically force themselves onto the reader are not preferred. |
