At last, some people who look at beta reading the same way I do! I've done a lot of writing, and a fair amount of beta-reading. You know why I no longer offer to beta read for anyone? Because I spend many, many hours correcting the same bloody mistakes for people who can't be bothered to make the corrections. So draft after draft, story after story, I see the same spelling and grammar errors.
I take the time to explain the spelling and grammar rules for people who don't get it; I give examples. I send books. You know what I get in response? Not a beta credit, not much of a thank you, just complaints about how picky I am. This is after I warned the author ahead of time that I'm very picky, I correct for spelling, grammar, content, characterization, etc.
If someone chooses not to take my advice as to whether a story works, or would appeal to a very small audience or a wide one, that's fine. But if they beg and plead for someone to read their story, then reject every single question/concern I point out, I give up. I figure if someone appears out of character, and there's no explanation given as to their emotional motivation and how it has changed their character, then it will be confusing for others, too. I don't mind OOC if there's an actual reason given in the story. If it's meant to be a PWP, fine, label it that way. If it's meant to be more of a character introspection, then damn it, I want to know what's going on in the character's head, not just what's happening with various body parts.
I've always thought of a beta reader as a combination of proofreader, editor, and first-run audience. If my beta reader tells me they're confused about something, or asks questions, I appreciate it. It gives me an idea of how someone outside of my own head is perceiving the story. It's quite possible that something that's perfectly obvious to me has not been made clear to the reader. Some things you want the reader to work out for themselves, but that's not the same as sloppy or lazy writing. If it's really confusing, then I haven't done my job properly as an author, and need to do some revision.
I need an outside opinion as to whether the story will work for anyone but me. If it doesn't seem to have outside appeal, I don't publish it, I keep it for my own amusement.
One last thing: Beta readers should preferably be familiar with the fandom or fandoms you are working with. If you are writing in a fandom you don't know well, find a beta reader who does know it, and pay attention to what they say. If what you want to do is outside of canon for a series you don't know well, it's possible you're crossing over the wrong series, and perhaps another fandom will more naturally fall into the proper niche.
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Date: 2004-09-02 01:32 pm (UTC)I take the time to explain the spelling and grammar rules for people who don't get it; I give examples. I send books. You know what I get in response? Not a beta credit, not much of a thank you, just complaints about how picky I am. This is after I warned the author ahead of time that I'm very picky, I correct for spelling, grammar, content, characterization, etc.
If someone chooses not to take my advice as to whether a story works, or would appeal to a very small audience or a wide one, that's fine. But if they beg and plead for someone to read their story, then reject every single question/concern I point out, I give up. I figure if someone appears out of character, and there's no explanation given as to their emotional motivation and how it has changed their character, then it will be confusing for others, too. I don't mind OOC if there's an actual reason given in the story. If it's meant to be a PWP, fine, label it that way. If it's meant to be more of a character introspection, then damn it, I want to know what's going on in the character's head, not just what's happening with various body parts.
I've always thought of a beta reader as a combination of proofreader, editor, and first-run audience. If my beta reader tells me they're confused about something, or asks questions, I appreciate it. It gives me an idea of how someone outside of my own head is perceiving the story. It's quite possible that something that's perfectly obvious to me has not been made clear to the reader. Some things you want the reader to work out for themselves, but that's not the same as sloppy or lazy writing. If it's really confusing, then I haven't done my job properly as an author, and need to do some revision.
I need an outside opinion as to whether the story will work for anyone but me. If it doesn't seem to have outside appeal, I don't publish it, I keep it for my own amusement.
One last thing: Beta readers should preferably be familiar with the fandom or fandoms you are working with. If you are writing in a fandom you don't know well, find a beta reader who does know it, and pay attention to what they say. If what you want to do is outside of canon for a series you don't know well, it's possible you're crossing over the wrong series, and perhaps another fandom will more naturally fall into the proper niche.