A dumb sort of question
Dumb as it may be, I'd really like to ask any of you writers and beta readers out there, how do you define the term? Do you mean someone who checks grammar and spelling? Do you mean someone who actually story edits and suggests possible changes in dialogue and plot? Someone who tells you whether the characters are actually 'in character or not'? Or someone who cheerleads and says 'ooh, that's great'? Or all of the above?
I've seen stories where writers have commended a beta or betas for their assistance and I sometimes wonder how much help they were given. Some of these stories are excellent, absolutely fabulous. Then again, there are stories that have multiple betas (or so the writer acknowledges) but I wind up wondering if anybody involved could spell, have a clue about grammar or know how to plot a story if their life depended on it. In other words, I am confused.
So, could you please share your take on what a Beta is all about?
I've seen stories where writers have commended a beta or betas for their assistance and I sometimes wonder how much help they were given. Some of these stories are excellent, absolutely fabulous. Then again, there are stories that have multiple betas (or so the writer acknowledges) but I wind up wondering if anybody involved could spell, have a clue about grammar or know how to plot a story if their life depended on it. In other words, I am confused.
So, could you please share your take on what a Beta is all about?