The Lupin/Snape Lurve Community

Wanted: a beta for my Fantasy Fest fic. Must have strong plot-hole-finding skills, astrong sense of continuity, and a tolerance for descriptions of animal sexuality.

Specific feedback is more helpful than saying something is "good" or that "I like it." - Peggy Tabor Miller


The editorial bit

I like to beta. I don't beta for a lot of people because of time commitments, but let's be honest: it's fun to be the first person to read a fic! I always get a little thrill when I see a new fic in my inbox. But if I forget that there's more to beta-reading than just reading it before anyone else, I'm doing both the author and all other readers a huge disservice.

To me, agreeing to beta a fic is a commitment. As a beta-reader, I commit to making this fic the best it can be. The writer, in turn, commits to take my comments thoughtfully, not personally. We both commit to remember that this is not my fic, it's the author's, and anything I say can be used or ignored at the author's discretion.

Beta-reading is fun, but it's hard work! It's me saying I will be honest with the writer about what works and doesn't work. I won't be a yes-man, mindlessly squeeing over things (but if something makes me squee, I'll definitely mention that!). If there are plot-holes or moments of poor characterization, I'll point them out. If there are moments where the tension could be ratcheted up another notch, I note it. If there's a subplot that doesn't get tied up in the end, I remark on it. I look for spelling and grammar errors (though there are lots of people out there better than I am at this--and my beta readers will tell you that as a writer, I commit bloody murder on commas!) I provide commentary on my reactions to moments within the fic--things like, OMG that first kiss was HOT! and Yes, this is so in-character for him! go in there along with, Do you think he would really do something that nice at this point in their relationship?

Now I would never claim I'm a perfect beta-reader. For one thing, there are people I've betaed for who have probably cursed at me for how slow I can be. And I know of at least one person this year whose email sat in my inbox for a week, just plain overlooked. *blush* But the point of my post, really, is to examine the process of beta-reading, offer ideas, and hopefully get ideas back.


My ideal beta-reading process

1. Get the fic in my inbox; acknowledge receipt.
   
2. Settle in with chocolate and a Coke to read as a Reader. The only comments I'm allowed to make on this pass are of the OMG YES nature.
   
3. Settle in with my glasses to read a second time, as a Critiquer. At this point I'll make comments about characterization, plot-holes, etc.
   
4. Write a paragraph or three with my reactions. This includes listing favourite moments, overall impression of the characterization, moments that could be stronger, moments that are great...
   
5. At the end of my overall reaction summary, I tell the author, Remember, these are just my thoughts, my feelings won't be hurt if you ignore them, or something to that effect.
   
6. Send fic back to the author with a quick encouraging note.

*grin* I know some people I've betaed for recently are probably looking at this list shaking their heads. Again, I'm not claiming to be perfect! Part of the reason I began collecting these links and writing this essay in the first place is that I often feel inadequate as a beta-reader, and I want to improve my skills.


Tips for Writers

• Give a deadline when you need the critique back.
  
• Be specific about what you want the beta to look for (ie spelling/grammar, plot, characterization, etc).
  
• Ask questions about things you feel uncertain about. (For instance, I'll say, "Do you think this scene works?" or "Should Severus react this way?")
  
• ETA: Always let the beta-reader know ahead of time what they're in for, in terms of word count, any warnings, that sort of thing.

All information should be given in a helpful and supportive manner while also being honest. - Peggy Tabor Miller


Useful Links for Beta-Readers and Authors

• This is a fabulous essay on how to find a beta-reader, how to be a beta-reader, how to respond to beta-readers...it's very comprehensive.
  
• Kathryn Anderson has written an essay and guidelines on beta-readers, including tips for betas and for authors.
  
• Peg Robinson has written the lengthy and detailed essay The Mannerly Art of Critique which addresses both how to give and how to receive crit.
  
• Bentley's Bedlam, a Buffy-fandom website, has a very detailed example of the beta process, showing the original fic, feedback from all ten commenters, and the final version of the fic.
  
• Shannono has an essay about keeping beta-readers happy, which is aimed mostly at writers but would be useful for readers as well.
  
• Jenavira wrote an essay on beta-reading for the Harry Potter Writers' Guild.
  
• The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at my alma mater has some tips for Finding Common Errors in writing.
  
• The Science Fiction Writers of America website has Critiquing in a Workshop Context that, although aimed at in-person critiques, still has useful information about how to approach a text.
  
• ehow.com has How to Critique Creative Writing, which provides four clear steps on how to provide a good critique of a piece, and How to Critique in Fiction Writing Workshops which breaks the process into seven steps rather than four.
  
• Writer Amy Sterling Casil offers Critique Guidelines on her website.
  
• Arlington Heights Memorial Library's The Writing Place offers critique guidelines for fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
  

Peggy Tabor Miller quotes taken from the ClarityWorks website.


Now it's your turn. Questions? Comments? Corrections? *grin* Let's talk.