Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
Hello, my name is Rogue. I have been writing and making up stories for as long as I can remember, and have completed several novels, short stories, and poems. I am currently seeking an agent for some of my work, and hope to publish in the near future. I am a novelist by trade, and would prefer to edit the same. However, I will dabble with short stories if you ask nicely. If you would like me to beta-read your story, please contact me. It will make life easy for me if you have AIM. We can discuss the project as I edit it. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I've been listening to stories since before I could talk, and when I did start talking, I began making them up myself. Since I read and write so much, I have a good sense of pacing, length, structure, and all the other ingredients needed in a successful novel. Thanks to my eighth-grade English teacher, I know EXACTLY where to put commas. Every time we misplaced one in an essay, he knocked a point off our grade. Trust me, those points start to add up. I had to learn proper grammar very quickly in that class. I am also very detailed with my characters, and I expect the same from you. If you don't have interesting characters, I can help you develop some. If you want someone that's precise, a fast worker, and focused, I'm your girl. I also read very rapidly. For example, I finished Deathly Hallows by 6:45 in the morning the day it came out. I started it at 12:15. That's six and a half hours. You do the rest of the math. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
My schedule is very erratic. I am a flutist, and sometimes I will be away taking auditions or playing concerts. I have a very hectic life, and I tend to crash and burn at least once every few months. If I disappear for a few days, I'm resting and licking my wounds. I am also very blunt. I'm not going to stroke your ego. I will tell you the things that I think worked in your story, but I will also tell you what I didn't like. Whether you take my suggestions or not is up to you. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
I primarily work with novels. The genres I would prefer are...
Fantasy/Sci-Fi: I have always been a fantasy and sci-fi writer at heart, even if some of my best work ends up taking place in "our world". I love everything from retold fairytales to stories about modern-day dragons living among us. If it has magic, strange creatures, the supernatural, other star systems, or anything of that sort, you can count me in. I especially like original fantasy that doesn't copy overused ideas (*coughcough*Eragon*coughcough*).
Intense Character Studies: I also like gritty, intense novels about modern-day life, particularly when they place lots of emphasis on characterization. If you want an example of what I'm talking about, think 'A Spot Of Bother' (Read it. Now.), or possibly even Virginia Woolf. Angst is always good, as long as there's a happy ending on the last page.
Mysteries: I adore mysteries! I haven't written very many of them, but I've read enough of them to know what makes them successful. I'm more of a tea cozy mystery reader than a hard-boiled, film noir type, and my tastes run along the lines of Agatha Christie. I want a mind game more than a dirty exploration of the streets. However, I will read both types. Especially if there are...
LESBIANS: Please, please, please... if you have two female leads in your story, I don't give a flying fuck what the plot is. The story could be about a woman who wants to collect moon rocks and a chimpanzee trainer. I don't care. Send it, send it, send it! .......... Okay. The story has to be at least adequate. And this category leads to...
Erotic Fiction: Of the sapphic persuasion, please. I will read heterosexual scenes, but only if they are part of a larger fantasy/sci-fi/mystery novel. And there had better be TONS of awesome plot devices to distract me. I am immature enough to cover my eyes and make "ewww" noises at the thought of a boy and girl kissing (or two boys) for too long.
In Short:
- Fantasy
- Sci-fi
- Mysteries
- Anything lesbian
OH! And 95% of the time, I will not read your story unless it has a semi-happy ending. I HATE sad endings. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
As bigoted as it sounds, I get... bored... with heterosexual fiction unless it's particularly plot-driven and well-written. If you're writing a heterosexual romance with no dragons or spaceships to distract me, I just can't stomach it. No offense to you heterosexuals out there. However, if the two lead characters are female, I'll read any mushy, sappy story you want me to.
Oh! Before I forget... General Service Announcement To All Fantasy Writers: Tolkien was a genius. Even if he wasn't a particularly good writer, he was a fantastic world builder, and he can't be imitated. Instead of trying to copy him, write something original. If you have "elves", "orcs", or anything like that in your story, they had better be interesting and different in some way.
Sci-Fi writers, you aren't off the hook. General Service Announcement To All Sci-Fi Writers: Star-Trek is better than awesome, but you can go above and beyond that! Try to explore new horizons and come up with your own ideas. Do something original, or I won't read it.
In Short:
- Heterosexual Romance
- Unoriginal Tolkeinesque Fantasy
- Unoriginal Star-Trekesque Sci-Fi
Exception: If you feel that your novel is too Tolkeinesque or too Star-Trekesque and you want me to help you FIX it, go right ahead and contact me. I love helping people get out of that rut.
Special Note: If you are sending me erotic fiction, please note that threesomes and orgies rub me the wrong way. I'm a very monogamous person. Romantic conflict (choosing between two lovers and living happily ever after with one at the end) is different than a group-grope. |
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