Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I am an episodic beta-reader, usually for my friends, none of whom write fanfiction. In real life, I also work as an editor occasionally, currently in three different languages. I do, however, strongly prefer English in every case. When I take on editorship of anything, it's a work of love (and meticulousness). I am intensely curious about other writers' private worlds and respect and admire the others' writing individuality greatly. I will attempt to
preserve the author's writing style as much as possible, while weeding out unnatural constructions, misspellings, homonyms and some such at the same time. I can be very nitpicky at times when it comes to grammar and sentence structure, but I will never push anything on you by force. It's up to you to tell me what kind of result you want to see in your work, to what level you want to take it. Beta-reading for me is a two-way street, a cooperation. None of us (the writer or the beta) is or ever will be a faultless expert, we're here to figure out the best path possible in a single individual case. This means I prefer writers who can take constructive criticism, but wish to keep their own style as well, and who are willing to learn from their own mistakes. I also prefer slower writers to those who churn out a chapter a day, because I simply wouldn't be able to keep up with them. I'd hate to put out work I am not quite convinced is polished and done. It does not matter to me how experienced you are. I may also take on writers for whom English is a second language (native German or Slavic languages speaking, e.g. Russian or Polish) - I may be much better equipped to understand where your writing pitfalls come from, when it comes to bending and using English in non-native ways. I used to be in the same situation (and am still working around it, of course). I am really not as bad as the above may sound. I would be very glad to work for you and with you, whoever you are. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
1. Vocabulary and grammar - Chances are, I know the spelling of words you've never heard in your life. I am also a grammar nazi. (It's an innocuous hobby, really. I don't take names.)2. I have a Master's in physics and mathematics. (No, really.) If you're writing in science-fictiony areas, you'd better have someone on your side, who can pick out the believable phony physics from the total and utter nonsense that would make a sixth-grader laugh out loud. 3. Smut and conflict. Due to a secondary interest (and education in) psychology, I may have a better understanding of human reactions, interactions and motives, especially in crises, than your average friend. 4. Eliminating purple prose and word-vomit (when you like your own text so much, you can't bring yourself to omit anything, even at the cost of overall quality - you probably know what I mean). I aim for concise. There should be nothing more and nothing less in the text than what you need to say for your story to work. 5. I know my way around a lot of fandoms (if in doubt, ask me). In cases where I do not know your fandom, it is still possible for me to study a bit and catch up with the characters, sometimes even without watching the series/movie. I know this may sound weird, but as I said I beta original texts mostly, where I am required to do this all the time. It works. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
1. As stated above, I am slow and pedantic. I may become unavailable for a few days in the case of a sudden disaster at my day job. (I hold a managing position and sometimes keep very long working hours.) You will need to patient with me and understand that I am doing my best, even if it's not as quick as you'd like it to be. However, I am quite good with deadlines.2. My criticism may seem harsh and petty sometimes. It is not meant to sound that way. I absolutely do not mean it personally and will take care not to take away your confidence. 3. I am not good with very light and crazy humour. I probably won't be able to relate to your story. 4. This may seem silly, but I can't beta stories that present ideas I fundamentally don't agree with. Let's just say I can't take stereotypes and prejudices (racial, gender, other) presented in a way that is unnecessary and inconsistent with the characters, setting or time period of the piece. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
I do not exclude anything, but I do have guilty pleasures:
I enjoy mature/adult, dark and intense themes, though not unnecessary violence.
I can and will gladly beta smut or sexual tension of any kind and orientation and give (what I feel may be) valuable pointers in that area. (I can also do fluff, if it still makes some sense :)
I enjoy physicality and fighting, so I may be of help in action/adventure, as well. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
Too dark: excessive cruelty, torture, child abuse; or too light: crazy humour, OCs that make no sense whatsoever and Mary Sues (mind you, not all of them are), self-inserts.
However, all of the above depends on the point of view. |
