A lot of what the BETA OR YOU SUCK people seem to not acknowledge, is that a beta reader isn't "another set of eyes" like some kind ocular writing genie that hangs around waiting for a writer to poop out a fic so they can ocularize it and make it SUPER. A beta reader is a person who a writer has to form some kind of relationship with, which may or may not improve their writing.
I swear sometimes when I read some fics, "thank you to my circle jerk" is probably more accurate than "thank you to my betas!" since there's all sorts of problems with the fic anyway. And in offline creative writing classes I've heard all sorts of crap advice from people who are basically performing the same function as a beta reader.
Finding the right person who gives the right advice the right way is hard. And they have lives too. So...
For people who have betas and that works for them, that's great! Having someone to discuss work with is wonderful and if they really help improve the writer's stories, that's even better.
But it's not a requirement. And it doesn't automatically mean their fics suck either if they don't have a beta. <--(added the last part in there, sorry.)
That being said, it's one way to compensate for authorial fallibility, because I can say from personal experience that I've butchered characterization and been called on it by my beta. Similarly, I've proof-read my own stuff a dozen-ish times and still been told that I left a word out when I sent said stuff to be betaed.
So, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mischaracterize what I said. "Ocular writing genie", indeed. (/sarcasm)
You aren't the first, last or only person ever in all creation to ever use the term "another set of eyes" to describe an editor or beta.
It comes up almost every single time someone does the "get a beta to bring your fic up to my standards" rant.
We all know what a beta is. We all know how helpful they can be (after god knows how many "get a beta!" rants full of testimonials in the rant and in the comments, WE KNOW.)
What your personal experiences are and what you want to get out of writing fic does not equal what everyone else should like or want or aspire to.
A lot of what the BETA OR YOU SUCK people seem to not acknowledge, is that a beta reader isn't "another set of eyes" like some kind ocular writing genie that hangs around waiting for a writer to poop out a fic so they can ocularize it and make it SUPER. A beta reader is a person who a writer has to form some kind of relationship with, which may or may not improve their writing.
I swear sometimes when I read some fics, "thank you to my circle jerk" is probably more accurate than "thank you to my betas!" since there's all sorts of problems with the fic anyway. And in offline creative writing classes I've heard all sorts of crap advice from people who are basically performing the same function as a beta reader.
Finding the right person who gives the right advice the right way is hard. And they have lives too. So...
For people who have betas and that works for them, that's great! Having someone to discuss work with is wonderful and if they really help improve the writer's stories, that's even better.
But it's not a requirement. And it doesn't automatically mean their fics suck either if they don't have a beta. <--(added the last part in there, sorry.)
So, yeah. I agree.
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That being said, it's one way to compensate for authorial fallibility, because I can say from personal experience that I've butchered characterization and been called on it by my beta. Similarly, I've proof-read my own stuff a dozen-ish times and still been told that I left a word out when I sent said stuff to be betaed.
So, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mischaracterize what I said. "Ocular writing genie", indeed. (/sarcasm)
Reply
It comes up almost every single time someone does the "get a beta to bring your fic up to my standards" rant.
We all know what a beta is. We all know how helpful they can be (after god knows how many "get a beta!" rants full of testimonials in the rant and in the comments, WE KNOW.)
What your personal experiences are and what you want to get out of writing fic does not equal what everyone else should like or want or aspire to.
Reply
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