Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
I do not like to offer a lot of negative criticisms, even though I know they're important to help an author improve. Because of that, if you enlist me as a beta-reader, I would like it if you clarify exactly what part of your writing you need beta'ed. If you have a solid storyline in mind, let me know that you are not interested in accepting plot suggestions before allowing me to delve into your story. If you don't want me to suggest character development, continuity, or descriptions, clarify that from the onset. As an author you must find your own "voice." I've seen too many people get their work beta'ed and end up with a product that is so far removed from their own writing style. It frustrates me to get my work back and it be unrecognizable. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I love grammar! I notice when a sentence ends with a preposition, or an "s" is added to the word "toward," as well as the obvious, common grammar mistakes like the improper use of apostrophes or the mishandling of homonyms (words that sound alike, such as there, they're, or their). I can explain grammar in detail if you wish, or simply offer the corrections. I also have a massive vocabulary, courtesy of my very nerdy parents and an insatiable love of reading. If you would like synonym suggestions or to "embellish" your descriptions or characterizations, I can help! Saying "I got out of bed." is very different from "Bleary-eyed from the early hour, I stumbled out of bed and shrugged into my robe on my way the kitchen where the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee helped coax me from my sleepy stupor." (I know, that's almost a run-on sentence, but I was trying to prove a point) |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I'm very verbose. It's rare that I write a chapter that is less than 2,000 words. Engaging in sesquipedalian bushwa is an artform, and I may have perfected it (Sesquipedalian means overuse of long words, to be long winded; bushwa means nonsense). If you are a fan of concise and specific writing, I'm probably not your beta. I love to take a sentence and beautify it. Adding a few adverbs and adjectives can change everything! |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
Cannon! If the characters are well done, I love AU fiction. However, I've seen a lot of stories where everything, from plot to characterization, to the age/emotional maturity is so far removed from the cannon story that, in my opinion, the author should have just changed the names and made their own original story. I mean, sure, I'm all for the occasional non-cannon 'ship (I've even written one myself) but when a character who should be 17 speaks like a 12 year old or suddenly becomes so flamboyant just because he discovered he's gay, well...I have a hard time reconciling myself to the story. As far as actual stories, um...Any book, really. In no particular order: Dune, Star Wars, Artemis Fowl, Harry Potter, Star Trek (any generation), Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Twilight, Tales of Alvin Maker, Ender Chronicles, Chronicles of Narnia, Kushiel's Dart Series, The Black Jewels/Twilight's Dawn, Anne of Green Gables, etc. Really, any book. If you introduce me to some book I've never read, I will most likely go buy the book. Movies: most anything, especially scifi. TV Shows: Supernatural, Grimm, The Killing, Sherlock, Doctor Who, CSI, Sons of Anarchy, House |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
I am entirely unfamiliar with the world of anime. I'm not so much a fan of any sort of child molestation or incest. I'm okay with stories that allude to rape and other dark elements with the condition that the story is predominately about characters *recovering from* the trauma and the story is not *about* the trauma occurring. I like the occasional dark-element story, and sexually graphic stuff is alright as well, but I do draw the line at anything with children. I've only read one omorashi story and it didn't sit well with me-but this might have been due to the story and not about the omorashi. |
