Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Just graduated university and work full time during the week. Beta work may be limited to just weekends but I should be able to get chapters back within 1-2 weeks depending on how much help you need/want. I will keep in touch regarding timetables and if I simply don't have the time (life happens you know).Assertive personality, I don’t “sugarcoat” – but I will always be honest. This does NOT mean I will go out of my way to insult your writing, 'cause I understand that your style could be the polar opposite of mine. I just feel that when trying to help someone it is better to be blunt, and since I dish it out I expect people to give it. br / br / My own beta style varies from person to person - it largely depends on what you want me to do, what you give me to work with, and essentially my frame of mind at the time. If you give me free reign over something I will take every opportunity to make your work better; if you limit me I will stay within my bounds (if I overstep, TELL ME so I don't do it again). Also, I ask questions. A LOT of questions - not always story related. If questions make you uncomfortable TELL ME and I WON'T do that to you. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
Basic editing and grammar I will be able to help with, and sometimes I go overboard so I won't rest until I fix every mistake I see (glaringly evident in my own writing). Vocabulary is a strength of mine too. If you want more word choices, I make a ton of suggestions :)br /br / I'm also very helpful to bounce ideas off of, since I tend to think outside the box when it comes to story plots, and making new twists on old favourites is my speciality. I love talking with authors about their works and where they want to take their stories and characters!br / br / My greatest strength though, is pulling out a story's potential. Rarely am I given something to work with and I can't improve it dramatically. Especially if you allow me the freedom to go full force. Admittedly, it is harder to write a story than it is to edit one, as I well know. But that's the beauty of beta's. We get to help writers take their stories, polish them up with a different point of view, and make them shine like they are meant to. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
Sadly, I am restricted to English only works; even my French is too basic to be of help. (However, one day I hope to know many languages.) Another weakness will be I am forgetful. Meaning as my life spins in circles I have the chance of forgetting something important – if you don’t hear from me in a while don’t hesitate to contact me and badger me about the story. I ENCOURAGE IT!br /br / I'm NOT perfect when it comes to grammar, no one is. English is a whacked language and has so many rules you can never hope to apply them all perfectly. If you read over my betas and find something *I* did wrong, please point it out so I (hopefully) don't make the same mistake again, or with someone else. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
I stick to the anime/manga category and even then I am picky since I usually only read fanfics from certain mangas/animes. I like stories with interesting plots and realistic characters (i.e. Mary-Sues tend to be *pretends to cut own throat*). However I don't really have anything I prefer-prefer... except when it comes to dark themes. The more twisted, dark, messed up, and generally what a "normal" person would shy away from - bring it on! Blood, guts, gore, sex, you name it I would probably like /br / I'm okay with any rating, though if pressed I would say I prefer M-rated stories. The same applies with pairings - yaoi, yuri, hentai, multi-person relations I don't care. (Honestly I've probably read everything you could throw at me by now, and if you do give me something new I will give you a cookie.)br / br / I'm fine with OC stories - just make sure they aren't Mary-Sues/Gary-Stus. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
Genres I don't care for include: parody (though sometimes I'm in the mood for it), poetry, western, sci-fi, and spiritual. Other than that I am pretty open. If the plot interests me I will help, if it doesn't then *shrugs* And again I'm saying, NO MARY-SUES (those get annoying really fast (I can't even write my own Mary-Sue story and that's for $h!ts and giggles))! |
