Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Hi! I am Mythia-san, but just call me Mia! Whatever specific information you need to ask me can be PM-ed to me, and I'll do my best to answer. But for now, I'll give you some basics about me:If you've read any of my stories, you'll likely notice that my writing style is the meaning of chaos. The reason behind it is merely because I wrote these during middle school, and that was when my style was beginning to blossom and find itself. It's still currently finding itself, but one thing you should know about me is that I'm good at imitating a style. So whatever style you may have, I will loyally stick with, just with some touch-ups and fixes in grammar, spelling, clarity, transitioning, details, and the like. Another thing is that I tend to pay attention to specific things, as a detail-oriented reader/writer. I'll take notice of the little grammar slip-ups or spelling mistakes, I guarantee you. I also tend to focus on scenery and how it's presented, characters and how they think and act, and the tone & mood of the story and how fitting a scene is. I'm an encourager, and I'll sandwich my criticism, but if you insist on me being brutally honest, I won't hesitate to be so. If you're sensitive, I'm also sensitive, so I understand and will gently point out things that can be improved. For my expectations, well, I'll expect that you can write in English, that we can communicate without a long time in between each message, and that what you're presenting to me is clear as in what I'm about to read. So when you hand me a chapter of your story, don't expect me to just take it. I need some context - as in, I need to know what your main point was for the chapter, what themes are presented, and what you want me to specifically be looking for before I read it. If it's too difficult to read because of the English, or because it's simply too much of what I won't beta (SEE: Would Rather Not), then I'll have to apologize to you because I won't be of service to you. Sorry! For each chapter, it takes me about a weekend up to two weeks to beta. I need to know if you'll need the beta-ed chapter urgently or if I can take my time, but for your knowledge, the shorter time I get, the lesser quality I'll unfortunately have to give back to you. Of course, I will give you my best effort, but time is time. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
Now, my strengths deal with specifics and gritty details. I love working with imagery, metaphors, allusions, symbolism, dialogue, gradual character development, and the like! As an avid literature enthusiast, I'm just digging my nose into stories with great descriptions on scenery, and those inspire me daily. I've developed a love for them, and I can aid in such! I'm also good at presenting a shift in mood without it being too abrupt, but not too slowly so that the reader isn't screaming at me. Little character movements, actions, thoughts are what I've focused on improving for a long time, and I've gotten somewhere so that I can help others with. Lastly, grammar & spelling checks are done as I go and such, and I'm told that I have a knack of mimicking a writing style, so perhaps I can mimic yours! |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
I tend to take a while to beta & write, and re-beta and rewrite. But as for content, I tend to ask questions that I've been told makes the writers I'm helping say that that's not needed. But it's just something I need to know, and I'm sorry that I might bother you or something haha! Also, for plots, I'm not very skilled at those either. What I mean is, while I'm managing characters, setting, themes, ideas, tone, mood, and the specific "beautifying" aspects of the chapter, plot is a large chunk to juggle and I usually just leave it alone for the original writer. Unskilled foreshadowing, modernism (stream of consciousness), and the like might leak into the writing without warning, so stop me when you notice it. If you write with multiple perspectives, I get lost too and lose my skill of character interactions. |
Preferred: types of stories I prefer over others
I love to beta psychological, romance, humor, drama, and angst genres. Stories where the beginning and the end are clear and it's just the in-between plot points are what I tend to say I like reading more, not wanting to touch the beginning and end chapters in fear of altering the original author's ideas. I just want to say that I tend to like stories with natural characters having more natural interactions over anime-esque interactions, but I can do those too, it's fine! I also have an interest in stories with underlying dark themes, but I don't want it to be graphic - just implied, if that makes sense. |
Would Rather Not: I do not beta for these stories
I don't prefer horror genres, but I do like reading them! I just can't beta them, since I lack experience with writing them and understanding the mechanics to it. I also don't want to beta lemons/limes or any stories with graphic sexual content, drug abuse, or violence. Yes, I have dealt with mature themes before, but not bluntly. Lastly, stories with excessive profanity is something I don't exactly have the heart for, simply because I don't personally swear/write stories with unnecessary swearing in it. |
