Nit-pickers: A valuable service

[Parker Gabriel]

I have a word or two about "nit-pickers," who deliberately search for flaws in the work of others.

I confess to being something of a nit-picker myself; I'm relieved that I'm not alone. Nit-picking of "Fifth Dan" (watch for it) by the beta-readers to whom I submitted it helped me solve a series of story problems that I personally would have missed.

They perform a valuable service along those lines.

[Marion]

Definition of nit-pick(er)

to be excessively concerned with or critical of inconsequential details.
–verb (used with object) 2. to criticize by focusing on inconsequential details.
–noun 3. a carping, petty criticism.
–adjective 4. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a nitpicker or nitpicking.

I would not call a beta reader a nit-picker, for a start.
The only intention of anyone connected with this website (and forum) who beta-reads any story, is to make sure that:
1. the story falls within the context of this fandom
2. It isn't offensive
3. It is grammatically correct and properly spelt and would make sense to any reader
4. There are no gaping plot holes or narrative loose ends that make no sense.
Any author who submits a story is not obliged to accept what is pointed out to them; however, I find that most do, as once it has been pointed out, most people want to correct or improve on a mistake or an 'imperfection', because surely, every author's intention is to be read and understood by their reader?

I have been on both sides of the fence, I have had all of my stories beta-read - and I can honestly say that I value the service offered by my fellow CS fans very much. I have no desire to make a complete fool of myself - even unintentionally - by posting gibberish. I've had my neck saved several times by my beta-readers on that score. Sometimes, you can get too close to your own text so that you don't see what is glaringly obvious to an outsider.
I have also beta-read for other authors. I sincerely hope that I do as much for their work as my betas do for mine.
No beta-reader is knowingly out to carp on inconsequential detail.

The website sets a high standard for the fan fiction posted on it. And I, for one, I'm glad it does.

[MMK]

If anyone is wondering who just voted 'Yea'... it's me .
I feel they ARE necessary.
I'm not saying all or any beta readers (their services are valuable, also. I doff my hat to all of them... ) are nit-pickers. I'm not exactly sure how to word what I'm thinking, but all I can say is that nit-pickers are necessary to 'nit-pick' stories that would otherwise be flawed.

I have been on both sides of the fence

I hope to offer my services, and start to beta read, once I've written a few more stories.

[chrisbishop]

Definition of "Nit-picker", according to the Online Dictionary:

nit·pick (ntpk)
intr.v. nit·picked, nit·pick·ing, nit·picks
To be concerned with or find fault with insignificant details.

I will admit that when I first glanced at the post, and considering what 'nit-picker' means, I felt somewhat insulted. That is, until I read the post completely, and understood what it meant. Quite frankly, I don't think either that the word 'nit-picker' is appropriate here. It has quite a negative connotation.

The beta-reader might chose to go into some details while working on a story, but I rather doubt that these details he would mention would be 'insignificant' in regard of how the story read - or will read, once the work is done!

The beta-reader doesn't look for flaws in a story with the deliberate intention to harm or make fun. He/she will do it to help the writer present a better story. More often than none, he/she will do it because the writer has asked for the service. Or the webmaster to whom the story is submitted will suggest it to the writer. The beta-reader will read and/or analyse the text, and make observations, comments and corrections to the spelling, grammar, plot execution, etc.

No-one submitting a story to the website is obligated to have a beta-reader, or to accept the comments and corrections by a beta-reader, but it is strongly suggest to at least listen to what the beta-reader says. Often, the information given by the beta-reader can help the writer not only with THIS story which was presented, but with other stories as well.

[Skybase Girl]

Yes, I think the term 'nit-picker' would be better substituted for 'beta-reader'.

They are totally necessary and I would go so far as to say that their job fulfils some of the same things one might get on a creative writing course. Most of us don't have the time or opportunity to do that, so our fellow writers offer an invaluable service.

No matter how happy you may feel with what you've written, others will look at it differently. You need other people to say, if you turn that round, it will be better. And it usually is. We all learn from everyone else, that's what makes it worthwhile.

[Parker Gabriel]

My apologies if I offended anyone.

[chrisbishop]

Apologies accepted. And your thanks as well, if it was what you tried to say with your first post.

I believe the exact term is indeed 'beta-reader' as it is exactly the service that some people perform on this forum.

Definition of 'beta-reader' from Wikipedia.com:

A beta reader (or betareader, or beta) is a person who reads a work of fiction with a critical eye, with the aim of improving grammar, spelling, characterization, and general style of a story prior to its release to the general public.

The author or writer, referred to as the alpha reader, may use several betas prior to publication. The term "beta" is an appropriation from the software industry which uses the terms alpha and beta for software that are internal works in progress, and publicly released tests, respectively (though a beta may still be tested internally). While the usage of both the concept and the term is strongest amongst fan fiction writers, it is growing in popularity with novelists, to the point where some have thanked their beta readers (sometimes even referring to them as such) in their acknowledgements.

The people doing this task on this website do it because they like this fandom and want to help as much they can and as much as they are allowed when a writer submits a new story. As you read, it's not always a new writer at that. Even beta-readers get their stories beta-read for the reasons presented above.

I believe we have a pretty good team of beta-readers on this website - heck, I would present even more praises, but I don't want to give any of them a big head (I will go into hiding as soon as this post is written...). Suffice to say that, if any writers from this fandom wants a beta-reader - either you are a new writer or not - know that you can just ask for one by contacting the webmaster.

And more to it - since it's fanfic, and we do it for our own pleasure and love of this fandom, it doesn't cost a dime. Think of the fortune writers must pay their official beta-readers for that same service, before their stories even get the okay to go into print!

[Parker Gabriel]

Apologies accepted. And your thanks as well, if it was what you tried to say with your first post.

It was.