I'm in a bit of a situation. I'm beta-reading, but when I recieved a chapter of the story, there were whole sections missing. I sent the edits and asked fairly innocently why the scenes were missing. Apparently, the author had intended for me to write the fighting scenes that were missing. I simply do not have time to do this and become a co-author to this story, and feel like that is exactly what I have been asked to do. Keep in mind that I was never told that this would happen.

So... how do I let my author down gently and say that I can't do this, as I originally thought, and that if it's a co-author she's looking for, I'm not it? And, now that I've agreed to this, would it be rude to back out and do I just have to suffer and do it even though I absolutely no time?

-Desi

Nah, it's no biggie... Unless they make a big deal out of it, in which case you can tell them where to shove it.

But just politely tell them that if they want parts written, then what they're looking for is more of a co-author than a beta (most likely they just haven't fully grasped what a beta reader is). Then say that you'd love to, but with work/school/university/a dying grandmother, you just don't have that extra bit of time it would take. Tell them that if they find a co-author and still feel they need a beta, then your happy to keep the job, but otherwise wish them the best of luck.

You never signed on to write for them, so don't feel bad about it. If you're calm and polite, then there shouldn't be a problem. If they cut loose, they're just a selfish idiot, so you don't need to worry about offending them anyway.

Well, i hope that helps.

Yep, agree with person above. Your role is a beta. Your point is to read before other readers and serve as reporting on as a reader. You're not meant to go out of your position. At best do what you're best at. Sure you can if you want, but if you don't it's not what you're doing.

Tell them that's what you got hired for. Or better still, tell them you don't really know how to write it.

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