A dumb sort of question

[seagray]

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

Comments

[inlaterdays]

I used betas in PotO phandom but I haven't for X-Files. I mostly wanted a proofreader, because I typo like mad and I don't always catch my errors. I see what I meant to type instead of what's on the page.

Some people specify what they want in a beta - e.g. grammar and spelling only, fact-checking (historical dates), canon-checking, etc. I also like it when a beta calls my attention to awkward phrasing, stilted dialog, or something OOC.

Again, I'm mostly going from my PotO experience.

When I beta, I usually just proofread.

[seagray]

Ah, so it's sortof a customized kind of thing. One person who betas may do it entirely different than someone else. I guess the writer has to tell 'em what they want done. Might explain why some writers as several people to beta. Thanks!

[inlaterdays]

That's how I've seen the term used - I don't know whether it varies by fandom? I get specific so people know what I want or what I can do (depending whether I'm using a beta or being one) - e.g. I've betaed a friend's Star Wars stories for grammar and spelling only because I only have a basic familiarity with that 'verse. She uses someone else for canon-checking.

[seagray]

I'd guess it'd be easier to beta a fandom that you don't really know that well.

An editor

[amazonx]

Really, that's all it is. It's called a beta because when you test software, you're "beta testing" it. So, you "beta test" your story on someone. :)

Re: An editor

[seagray]

Hmmm. Beta tester. Yeah. I can see where I'm confused about the process then because if I read like an editor, it's sort of sentence by sentence, looking for anything that needs fixing. If I read to give a general first reaction, then I overlook all of that and just concentrate on the 'feel' of the story, not any of the technique.

Re: An editor

[amazonx]

And that's exactly it. A beta tester would tell you what bugs were in your software by looking at the code, as well as testing the thing. Like an editor, reads for mistakes, for what works, what doesn't, all that. Makes sense?

Re: An editor

[seagray]

Yes, it's clearer, thanks! I actually think it'd be tough to beta for a close friend, especially if they want you to really give them a frank review and suggestions. Like, what if the story really has problems? Or worse yet, what if it really...sucks. Damn awkward situation.

[hollylyn1217]

If someone asks me to "beta" a story I usually get right back to them and ask what exactly do they want me to look for. I definitely have strong points to my beta/editor skills but have no problem in giving feedback (even if only as a fic starved reader) on what my overall opinion of a story is as well as the finer points of what they want me to look for. Clear as mud, right??? lol!

[seagray]

Sounds smart to ask the writer up front about what they expect/want! Clear as...orange soda! I like orange soda!:D

[decadentdreams]

In a perfect world, this sums it up: http://www.qui-gonline.org/fanfic/beta.htm... )

[seagray]

Hey, that's a great link, thanks! I can see where I'd be a pretty lousy beta myself; I suspect it'd be very hard for me to resist rewriting somebody's story rather than making useful suggestions,and, as a result, I'd have my ass deservedly kicked right out of the picture.

I'd also be a little wary of asking for a beta just because of the time involved. To beta the way that article suggests seems to be as much work as writing the story in first place!

Back in the paleolithic age, when zines were plentiful and the 'Net was in nappies, I'd submit a story here and there and found that some zine editors were very helpful and really worked to make the story better while others never changed a word (which could either be a compliment or an insult, I guess :)).

I really like the idea of, at least, running it by somebody first before flinging it out into the scary ether.

[griva_x]

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 might be pretty strict about it (thus hard for me to choose a beta): from my beta I need ONLY the native language-user who checks the spelling (well, I use a spellchecker and Thesaurus, but still...); the sentence structure (because in Russian sentences can be very very long and complicated, unlike in English where you'd bette rcut a logn sentence into 3-4 short ones); also gives me advice on some cultural diffierences or American everyday life details (e.g. I might ask what could be the country-wide gym network, or bank-network, or posh menswear shops etc). I also welcome remarks on conversation consistency or remarks like "it's not clear for me what Krycek wanted to say here

[seagray]

Your writing situation is much more complicated since you are multi-lingual (lucky you!). I can see where writing in another language and having to be aware of cultural differences and idiom would really require beta work. Seems like you have a great team given how very well your stories turn out!