Yes? No?
I've never used a beta before, and I don't think I've ever had a need to, since all my fics are quite short. However, I know some people who use a beta for every fic, no matter how short, and some with whopping long chapters and no beta.
So, what do you lot think?
I remember when I put up my first fanfiction, I was terrified and was ready to take it down and vanish. Fortunatly for me no one complained and what was meant to be a short 6 chapter story called the truth about dean winchester, turned into 14 chapter start of a trilogy of stories and I have never looked back. I have never had a beta, so all mistakes are my own.
My fanfiction can be found at http://www.fanfiction.net/~katrinvanhelsing
The link is to my myspace page dedicated to Supernatuural.
I think you should at least have someone else to have a quick look over your fic for you, a fresh set of eyes is always beneficial.
Though I don't think it's necessary to have someone to pick everything apart, unless that is what you want of them.
My other half is my beta. Does a really good job at it too since he tends to go "Hang on, contradiction." if I make one and makes suggestions too, like "How about you have him do this instead?" and I often find myself going "I really like that."
I never used to have one until on the phone one day he'd told me that he really enjoyed reading one and offered to Beta. XD.
Being a Beta myself I've never found the need for one, though that doesn't mean I haven't re-read one of my posted stories and thought 'Dang, should have changed that.' I've read some stories with great plotlines and style but just have simply terrible writing, but I think the person just needed to realise that their story would be better with a beta.
Well, that's my contribution :P
Not to boast but I'm quite confident of the quality of my writing, for story writing I mean. So I'm not, and never was, keen on having someone else try and correct it, if there is anything to correct. But I do agree that having someone else read it over and give their own feedback is what all writers need to improve and get a different perspective on their writing. Although, being somewhat sceptical of how others could improve it, I still don't feel like signing up for a personal beta reader; but I might do so..in the future. Oh, and just to shamelessly advertise myself, I'm a beta reader too but currently on hiatus due to assignments needing attention. That's all!
I've recently started using a beta, and have had mixed results with them. I've had a lot of problems finding a good one for my main story. I wanted to find one that specializes in adventure stories like I write, but that limits the choices down signifigantly, and the ones I have found haven't helped much.
I don't have English as a first, second or even third language, and I'm often told that I sometimes manage to build up words so that nothing makes sense anymore. I still sometimes translate expressions that are very common in my language, into English and make some sentences simply too long - even though the reason for that may well be having had Latin for over six years, because I actually do this in Flemish as well.
Honestly, I have not used a beta on every litle piece I uploaded. I sometimes want readers to get to see my work unbeta-read and just hear their opinions about that, too. I sometimes want to hear their thoughts about my work, and not mine and my beta's work.
One piece of fanfiction may be more important to me than another every once in a while - because I wrote it with having the specific intention to make it very emotional and try make readers cry (I'm sometimes sadistic, yeah.) or because it carries some piece of me with it or maybe because I am trying something new and don't feel sure enough about it without hearing others' opinions.
I'm very happy that back in the days, I found myself a very patient beta who told me every little thing that was wrong and learned me not to make the same mistakes again. I have learned a lot with her, if not even more than during English at school.
There's still room for improvement, like I believe to be the same with every other writer. There are always some things you overread, that make perfectly sense to you... but not to someone else, or things seeming very characteristic for him or her, but actually not at all... because often when you have something in your head that you want to happen to your characters, you don't think about characterization while writing and neither when rereading. Of course there are some writers who make their characters do the oddest things, but still get away with it.
Everyone has his or her strong aspects, there shall always be things you are less good at than others - I mainly search for someone who's adept in these aspects I don't control that well.
It is the very same reason why I listed myself as a beta reader. I'm not perfect, but maybe I could make someone else happier with their work when I have used my magic on the things I'm better at.
I once beta-read an around 250 long piece someone wrote for NaNoWriMo. She said she was all right with me not having English as a native language, and was very pleased when I had done working on her dark fantasy.
I don't have a beta, but I'm thinking of getting one. I constantly worry that my writing style is poor, but people reviewing are too nice to say so...
I think one problem about betas on fanfiction.net is that most of them are young writers who may not be so advanced in their own writing, and may be somewhat subjective when beta-ing others' stories. So, ironically, say a 34year old may be having their story beta-ed by a 14year old, which would not be so helpful because of the differences in maturity. Not to say that teenagers may not be good writers, but that their styles and level of writing are unlikely to match with older writers' standards or expectations.
Also, some want to beta maybe because they want to feel a sense of authority, to be seen as 'an accomplished writer good enough to edit other works', sort of way. So they may not do a good job because of that kind of thinking too.
But you just have to keep searching round for those specially good betas who will treat your work professionally and seriously. And if you're satisfied with they way they work, keep them forever. A partnership will really be beneficial if they're good and have good constructive criticism, then your stories may turn out really good.
I agree. That's why I always go to the member profiles first to check their age... xd I'd feel weird if someone younger than me would go beta my stuff, since it's usually highly maturely written...
I'm a beta for a load of stories, and enjoying it a lot. The problem arrises when I've had betas for my own work. I've gone through a long line of them, dropping about 95% of them because they never actually came back with my beta-ed chapters when I sent them. :/
@13 and 14- I disagree. If you want to see what a beta is capable of, read their fics (and other fics they have beta'd) instead of looking at their age. On this forum, at least, age seems to play no part in how well/badly people write. Of course, it stands to reason that an older writer should be a 'better' writer, as they have had more experience and practice. In reality, however, most thirty-four year olds write like fourteen year olds. The writers who improve dramatically tend to already show promise at a younger age, and so are already more adept than most adults.
That's true. I won't ever say that younger writers are not good. I once had a friend who was barely thirteen and wrote such amazing stories that I blew you away. And English wasn't even her first language!
I'm fully aware that a lot of thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds read too mature things for their age. Several stories of mine contain sexual content. I simple don't feel comfortable sending a thirteen-year-old a story as such. I'm not saying that someone with no experience can not beautifully describe something, but I would like to think that someone with a bit of experience in that area may be better at beta-ing.
It is wrong to generalize, I'm aware. I have had the same thing happening as Vic Taylor: I send them my stories and they promise to get them back soon and I never hear from them again. In some situations, they even took over my ideas!
Unfortunately, all of these were very young writers, so it is not that I haven't tried the less mature stories on them. To me, they however seem to care less about someone else's work than the older generation. And since, I do care about my work, I rather not have the same thing happen again.
>>16 I didn't mean that younger writers will never good betas just because they're younger, I was only saying that generally, as you've put it, older writers should be 'better' as they've had more practise in writing and a more mature mind (they should at least). I do agree that even very young writers as well as older ones can come out with brilliant stories, and sometimes with brilliant writing. I believe creativity has no limits and it can come from anywhere and from anyone. It's a shame when proper grammar and use of english is put second place to the story because it's the writing which expresses it, and if the quality of writing is low, it pulls down the quality of the story, even if it sounds good. Would you like to try reading a story which forgets capital letters every few sentences or doesn't use paragraphs properly all the time? There can be worse things, but that's just an example. It's annoying.
I don't really agree with the "age" thing. I'm only 16 and yet I beta for several people older than me, who are more than happy with me as their beta. The only success I've had with getting betas for my own work is finding people my own age, because they seem more realible than older writers.
I know it's not always true, but I've found older writers are usually better. They seem to at least understand the rules of writing, so don't make simple mistakes that make stories impossible to read. There stories are normally more than, "Let's get this couple together" The only beta who has helped beyond a few small corrections is quite a bit older than me. I agree, reading what they write is a good indication of their ability and style.
I considered using a beta once..I tried one, and he pointed out so many things about my fic that he thought could be better and didn't like (before telling me he wouldn't do another chapter) that I got offended and decided not to use one again unless I knew them.
I have beta'd before, but only when specifically asked to do so. Usually with people I have at least a passing online acquaintance with. As far as having a beta, I have used one on occasion when I'm having an attack of uncertainty about my own work.
The beauty of having a beta comes especially for inexperienced writers, who might not be entirely familiar with the characters, or who have grammar issues or similar. And it's like having a second opinion from someone who can gently say 'needs work', rather than subjecting ones self to the frequently harsh critisism once the story is published for the whole world. I whole-heartedly recommend them.
I'd like to add that age is not always a factor - one girl I know is an amazing writer and talented beta, I've been reading her stuff for years and she's beta'd mine, but at the time I became familiar with her, she was only 15. Equally, I've read things from adults which were laughably inaccurate and weak. The best way to research if you can trust your beta's judgement is to read some of the things they've written themselves. It also helps you know if they appreciate the genre or if they favour a certain character over another or whatever.
I have beta'd before, but only when specifically asked to do so. Usually with people I have at least a passing online acquaintance with. As far as having a beta, I have used one on occasion when I'm having an attack of uncertainty about my own work.
The beauty of having a beta comes especially for inexperienced writers, who might not be entirely familiar with the characters, or who have grammar issues or similar. And it's like having a second opinion from someone who can gently say 'needs work', rather than subjecting ones self to the frequently harsh critisism once the story is published for the whole world. I whole-heartedly recommend them.
I'd like to add that age is not always a factor - one girl I know is an amazing writer and talented beta, I've been reading her stuff for years and she's beta'd mine, but at the time I became familiar with her, she was only 15. Equally, I've read things from adults which were laughably inaccurate and weak. The best way to research if you can trust your beta's judgement is to read some of the things they've written themselves. It also helps you know if they appreciate the genre or if they favour a certain character over another or whatever.
I have beta'd before, but only when specifically asked to do so. Usually with people I have at least a passing online acquaintance with. As far as having a beta, I have used one on occasion when I'm having an attack of uncertainty about my own work.
The beauty of having a beta comes especially for inexperienced writers, who might not be entirely familiar with the characters, or who have grammar issues or similar. And it's like having a second opinion from someone who can gently say 'needs work', rather than subjecting ones self to the frequently harsh critisism once the story is published for the whole world. I whole-heartedly recommend them.
I'd like to add that age is not always a factor - one girl I know is an amazing writer and talented beta, I've been reading her stuff for years and she's beta'd mine, but at the time I became familiar with her, she was only 15. Equally, I've read things from adults which were laughably inaccurate and weak. The best way to research if you can trust your beta's judgement is to read some of the things they've written themselves. It also helps you know if they appreciate the genre or if they favour a certain character over another or whatever.
...Goddamn. Sorry about the inadvertant spam.
>>25 I'm 14 and a beta...However, someone read one my stories and then asked me to be their beta, not realising that I was half their age. When I told them so they said they couldn't tell I was younger, but didn't mind it. I beta'd for them, everyone's happy!
So no, age can sometimes be disqualified as a factor on account that some adults write absolute garbage while us kiddies can come out with the occasional masterpiece --nods head proudly--
Age isn't an issue, it's the quality of their writing that matters and their style of betaing since some are more in-depth than others. I always correct spelling and grammer even if I've been asked about the plot because it's a pet peeve of mine and I've had good spelling drilled into me for years. If something is incorrect then it needs changing before the story is posted.
I've had a few of my stories betaed and have always been happy with the results since they've made me a better writer through their comments (I've only had betas from SIYE though where they've been thoroughly checked for competance first, not anyone from FFN).
What's SIYE, Hannah?
Sink Into Your Eyes. It's a Harry Potter fanfiction site devoted to Harry/Ginny.
I'm hoping to beta, but have had no requests yet- anyone interested? Click my name and you'll go to my ff.net account where you can mail me.
I don't tend to use betas myself, only if I'm advised to.
@32- Consider yourself advised.
I get beta'd by someone younger then me. She's an amazing writer, so who cares?
I beta for people, but I do it for plot elements and characterization. I refuse to do the work for the author, as they won't learn that way, and I've had a few who've tried getting me to write the description for them, and I was like... no... it's not you anymore. A good Beta doesn't do that, for that kind of thing.
Grammer is different. Some minor things, a Beta can change for you. I tell fanfic writers though, while I'll do grammer checks, it isn't my strong point.
The reason I came to this thread, is because I am looking for Beta (plural if possible). I am looking mostly for someone who can check my grammer, and point out aqward sentences, in the majority of my older work. There are just some things that don't get caught, when one double checks things. And some, are possibly stupid little things, but still...
I say majority, because I happen to want to rewrite a few of the older peices.
'Grammar'.
>>37 & >>38 - As you can tell, I have a spelling problem. I can catch things like grammar on spell check, but some words I mistake for another, even when I read it over. And again, some VERY goofy mistakes.
>>38 - I was able to get a Beta for one of my fanfics, but they want to be present chapters, while I would rather post, then make the changes. Part of the problem is, I am not sure where to even begin betaing my stories.
I also agree with your last paragraph. :)
I think if you feel your not brilliant at spelling and grammer etc.. and you want to take pride in your work then you should get a beta. However if you feel you are skilled enough then why bother. I personally know my spelling is crap, which is why I would never offer to beta, I can give idea's and suggest areas of improvement with the storyline, but thats it. With my work I try hard to correct things myself but I always need an extra set of eyes and betas can help give you ideas aswell.
If you find the right beta (which I recently have) then they can do wonderfull things for you. But it takes a lot of searching to find the right one!
i am still a bit new to it so i have no idea how to beta or how to get one >.<
>>40 - I don't offer to beta for spelling and grammer. I beta for plot and characterization, which are my strong points.
>>41 - Don't create a Beta profile, or Beta, unless you know your strong points and weak points well. As for finding one, on fanfiction.net, there is a tab at the top, that has betas under it. Don't pick a Beta that doesn't know the fandom... their Beta profile will tell you what stuff they are comfortable with.
Well i think everyone needs a beta, they help with grammer,spelling,plot.etc.
Well i think everyone needs a beta, they help with grammer,spelling,plot.etc.
>>43 Truer words were never spoken. Also, it's <i>grammar</i>.
Doesn't matter if you're a decent writer. Doesn't matter if you're freaking <i>Tolstoy reincarnated</i>, you still need a beta reader. Everybody screws up now and then; even the best of us are capable of coming up with ideas that would make any sane person cringe (see Exhibit A: George Lucas). Everyone needs a beta, even if it's just to tell them "this sucks; this has potential but has to be expanded upon; this is fine as is."
There's also the fact that some writers who are very good when they have a beta to correct their mishaps, cut down on the purple prose and correct mistakes suddenly fall apart without a beta (see Exhibit B: Anne Rice).
Everyone needs a beta. More accurately, everyone needs a <i>good</i> beta. Your readers will certainly appreciate it, and if you have your wits about you you'll probably become a better writer when you have someone calling you out on all your terrible shite.
>>45 - One of my literature professors, who has studied C.S. Lewis a lot, says even he made errors. He was certified child genius, when it came to the literature field, and the study of mythology. Errors gramatically are hard to find in his work.
>>42
oh no! i am not planning on being a beta yet, dont get me wrong! i am still an amateur at fanfiction and i am not in the exact league to help perfect other fanfictions.
>>47 - I have seen people who have created profiles, even though they aren't ready. Hell, I've even see someone completly spam a bunch of fandoms, so that she would have enough fanfics to be a beta, and so that people could see ALL the fandoms she wanted to beta for her. I left a review, flat out telling her, she was in no way ready to be a beta, and that what she did, would actually turn people away. It so is not a game, even more then writing fanfiction itself is.
I helped someone who was in real need of help with her first story. After getting to know her I helped her with ideas for her stories when she got stuck and offered encouragement. Chatting with her, she provided me with ideas for one of my short comic pieces.
Ive never used a beta, but I really need someone to help me out. I'm no good at spotting my own mistakes, even if I look over it three times, yet I can always see other mistakes in other people's fanfiction. I have a beta account, but its unactive until I get better at editing my own work.