Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I'm well versed in military and war based fiction, as well as any accompanying Military, War sub-genres. I see writing as an art form with some rules and guidelines but must be crafted from the heart, mind and soul. Awareness of the medium, research into the subject and genres are an absolute must and remembering to not tell the characters what to do, but instead let them tell you what to write. Also being sure to be mindful of the physics of the world and let things flow naturally. Will also help in pitching ideas or spit-balling ideas, but final agency will belong to both the writer, and more importantly; the characters. Also avoid Stu's and Sue's like the plague: they are amongst the worst of bad writing practices to avoid at all times and will cripple narrative heavily, as will as ignoring the laws of the reality that the story takes place in. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I'm skilled in the development of story mechanics pertaining to narrative flow, narrative tone and pacing, subtext, Character development, and Character psychology and interaction. Very good at action and combat scenes, drama; in particular anything regarding military combat ranging from the First World War, WW2, Korean War and Vietnam War up to the Iraq War and contemporary wars in the middle east. Also able to provide some outlines and understanding of various military small arms and infantry tactics of WW1, WW2, the Korean war, Veitnam war and the Iraq war and war in the middle east. Have a moderate amount of knowledge in writing romance but is limited as a sub-genre in military and action based stories. Very good at writing Yuri stories and romance involving Yuri as well as Yuri Lemon. Great at helping to create OC characters to supplement the main cast. I can also help with how to write romantic and non-romantic relationships with OC's with other OC's as well as developing OC's in the story. Have expanded myself in stories involving supernatural and metaphysical. I'm able to provide realism in character interaction based of a characters personality and overall "character" traits. I also am a very technical writer at times and good at filling out both the fluff and the crunch of a story. Able to provide honest, objective feedback, and point out plot-holes and unfortunate implications in stories. Able to point out strengths and weaknesses in narrative or characters. I can also help with maintaining continuity and grounding "laws" of the story's world and how to approach maintaining them. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I have occasional spelling and grammar slips sometimes so my abilities in punctuation, spelling and grammar in certain areas may be a bit spotty. I'm prone to over writing chapters and letting narrative drag a bit too much from chapter to chapter. Not very good with genres outside of a military/war story as a primary genre or at least anything without action/adventure/sci-fi/drama as strong elements. I'm trying to get into horror elements but have little experience outside of Zombie stories and psychological thrillers, very small amount of knowledge in Lovecraft style stories and Eldritch abominations but still not my strongest genre and I'm still somewhat average with Het romances and Het Lemon, at least as far as showcasing emotional and interpersonal ties between lovers over pure physical lemon descriptions. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
My two top preferred stories are Strike Witches Fics as well as Call Of Duty Fics, as well as crossovers involving these two series either together or crossed-over with other series. As well as any stories with Military/War/Action/Drama/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Supernatural/Humor. If anyone needs help writing about the Strike Witches Characters, World, Technology, History or Magic I will be more then glad to help: I'm well researched in Strike Witches Lore. Same case with COD stories to a slightly lesser degree. That being said I am also able to provide some beta reading for stories of series like The Division, Halo, Girls Und Panzer, Fallout, Darkest Dungeon, Ghost in the shell being series I'm the most familiar with second to Strike Witches and Call of Duty. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
Anything involving characters that come off as Sue's or Stu's: wither Cannon or OC. Shounen-ai. Yaoi. (Not so much because I have a problem with this demographic but because I have no experience in the genre; I'm a supporter of equality for all both IRL and Stories but I can't really write such relationships in the aforementioned genres). Absolutely will not beta read any story in which rape is played for fetish. I have a difficult time with Cannon character death for Strike Witches characters, so if it is an element in your stories be sure to handle it very carefully or do not write it at all; characters are rife with story driving potential; killing a character ends any story driving potential so be cautious and thoughtful for such moments, in addition to the fact my soul hurts and weeps at seeing Witches getting killed. Pointless, mindless violence, suffering and emotional anguish that doesn't serve to drive the plot will also not be looked at, neither will Guro. Grim Dark Fics that cause "Darkness Induced Audience Apathy" (be sure to read up on TV Tropes if the term is new to you). I also draw grave issue with stories that have some underpinning unfortunate implications, especially in Strike Witches fics: any story involving a Gary Stu-self insert-Male Magic using-harem-protagonist OC character will not only be not looked at but will be rebuffed severely. Stories that dehumanize the female cast members as characters and strip them of all sense of agency or person mechanically framed in the story's narrative will not be acknowledged. A"Sexy Lamp" that contributes nothing to the narrative or plot is the work of a hack in my eyes. For those wondering why this is the case with such a story please PM me and I will gladly explain the reason for this. Also any stories that violate the universal laws and logic of a cannon series to an egregious degree and devoid of any logic or sense will also not be entertained for beta reading. |
