Beta Questions

[Zuriel]

I've never used a beta (not easy to find one     ), but I know many do.  So, I'd like to know...besides the obvious checking of spelling and grammar...what does a beta do for you?

Do you only use a beta for the nuts and bolts aspect?  Or for content, too?

How much do you rely on a beta?  If they make a suggestion, are you more likely to change your story, based purely on what they say?

[cenwolfgirl]

(pleas remember
a;) i have only used one once for a few chapters
b.) i am not a published or anything author
c.) i am a 17 year old girl and so don't know everything
when you read this
so you are reading this informed of the reliabilaty and accuresy of what i say)
they can sugest things that would improve the story
infact they often do
but you are the one that makes the finel desision on things
so it may be better to have more then one
they can suggest words that will flow better ect
and also give opinones on the content but i think only if you ask for it

[Aminar]

What I tend to do is ask questions about concepts to see how fleshed out the writer has them.  From there a Beta should watch for continuity mistakes and small oversights.  Alpha readers watch plot flow and the like as well, or at last that is my understanding.

[Zuriel]

I understand published authors using a beta, for all of these reasons, and that makes sense.  There's a lot at stake.

But I guess I have the old-school thought that I should take full responsibility for my stories, and if I make mistakes, then so be it.

But then I can also take all the accolades for writing a good one, if I'm lucky.   

Maybe I'm just not into sharing...     Or maybe I'm just frustrated - jealous maybe? - because I've not been able to find a beta.   

[cenwolfgirl]

if i could do the spelling grammar thing i would offer to look at it
but yours is better then mine 
you will fined some one i am shore

[Zuriel]

Oh, I know you would if you could...but that's ok.  I've been doing all right without a beta...I think...so I'll survive without one.   

[cenwolfgirl]

yeah
but i am shore some one will maybe be willing to help you
if you ask nicely
if i could yeah
*inert miner mone about genetic mutation here*

[Zuriel]

LOL!  I just had this image of Mutant Ninja Wolfgirl flashing through my mind...unstoppable...with a never say never attitude.  And please take this as a big compliment.     You are awesome!

Someday...maybe a beta...but right now RL is waiting - impatiently.   

Have fun!  Gotta run!

[cenwolfgirl]

 
lol thanks yeah mutent nija wolf i like that
 
have fun and be safe in RL Z

[cenwolfgirl]

LOL!  I just had this image of Mutant Ninja Wolfgirl flashing through my mind...unstoppable...with a never say never attitude.  And please take this as a big compliment.     You are awesome!

Someday...maybe a beta...but right now RL is waiting - impatiently.   

Have fun!  Gotta run!

you will see why soon

[LizW65]

Nuts and bolts here, for example:
-Does the story hang together/function as a cohesive whole?
-Any plot holes you can drive a truck through?
-Good proportion of action to character to plot-driven scenes?
-Do the characters behave consistently throughout?
-Any glaring factual errors or period anachronisms?
-Is the work consistently readable and does it hold your interest?

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

-Does the story hang together/function as a cohesive whole?
-Any plot holes you can drive a truck through?

Those are definitely levels I appreciate my betas checking, though thus far it would seem I am pretty good at not leaving gigantic plot holes all by myself.

-Good proportion of action to character to plot-driven scenes?

I think I get some benefit on this front too; because I appear to be atypical in how totally boring I find action scenes, so I tend to underdo them unless I can make them plot-vital.

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

I've never used a beta (not easy to find one     ), but I know many do.  So, I'd like to know...besides the obvious checking of spelling and grammar...what does a beta do for you?
Do you only use a beta for the nuts and bolts aspect?  Or for content, too?

Not sure what scale of distinction you are making here ?

How much do you rely on a beta?  If they make a suggestion, are you more likely to change your story, based purely on what they say?

I am unlikely to change what the story is trying to do.  If I have written a scene that's meant to achieve X and they see it as trying to achieve Y, I'll usually change the scene (even if it succeeds at doing Y), because usually whatever the scene is trying to do has to fit in a very specific place in what the book is trying to do.

[Shecky]

To answer the OP: it depends on the author. There's an entire continuum of what authors need/want from betas, from pure mechanics to thematic analysis/critique and everywhere in between.

[OZ]

If I gave my story to someone to read, I would want them to check for spelling and grammar, check for continuity issues, check for blatant mistakes and plot holes and tell me if there is anything that they particularly liked or disliked. Spelling and grammar I would fix. Anything else I would examine and determine if it was really a mistake or if I knew something that the reader didn't. As far as what they liked and didn't like, if one person told me, I might ignore it. If everyone that read it told me that they didn't like a scene, I might look it over and see how I could change it. What you need from a beta reader would partly depend on what you are writing. If you're writing hard Sci Fi you might want someone who could check your science. If your righting military fiction you might want someone with some knowledge of history and/or of weaponry.