A Beta-reader's Plea

by **Skybase Girl** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 11:21 pm

The guidelines on submitting fan fiction on this site are clearly laid out. One of the first and most crucial comes under the heading of "Revising."

It goes on to say, "Re-read your text. More than once. Read it out loud...etc."

What it goes on to say may prove very illuminating, because if you do the basic task of actually reading through your deathless prose, you may be saving your humble beta reader hours and hours of unpaid time in sorting out the very basic spelling and grammar mistakes and gaping plot holes the size of canyons.

While we are more than happy to provide assistance and suggestions, we are not editors paid to transform your stream-of-consciousness narrative. We are not, in fact, paid at all. Most of us have families and careers and lots of other real-life problems that may prevent us from giving as much attention as we might like to our own fan fiction, let alone someone else's.

What we would welcome are stories which show excellent ideas ( and there are no shortage of those on this site), but which also show that the writer has taken as much care as possible in getting everything right before submission. As a writer, I would think that's a matter of pride. As a beta-reader, it's an act of mercy.

by **Elentari** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 7:53 am

I'd like to add a good working knowledge of punctuation would also be a big plus. :-;)

by **DreamerAngel** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:34 pm

What I've started using to help me Beta read (for 6th form and for Fan fictions) is a text to speech reader, I find it useful having things read back to me and there are some good free ones out there. They really do help!

by **Marion** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:45 pm

I always used to read my own text back to myself and even tape it sometimes, so I could do a read & listen, like the childern's read-a-long audio books. Amazing how many mistakes you pick up - or corrections you make when you hear the narrative read. Quite embarrassing. :oops:

These days, I just don't have time and I miss the 'feedback'! :wink:

by **Carrie** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 12:21 am

Agreed, reading text out loud is the number one way of spotting mistakes in your own text. Proof-reading your own work is difficult, as you 'know the story' so If you simply scan it with your eyes on the screen, your brain tends to 'fill in' the missing bits.

Amen to a little more diligence on behalf of the writer before sending it in for final beta-reading. We all lead busy lives.