What is a beta reader? He/she is a fanfic author’s best friend. They read the story before it is published and revise for spelling, grammar, sentence structure, word choice. They help you through writer’s block, suggest ways to better a piece and keep a sharp eye out for clashes with canon facts and characters out-of-character. Basically, they’re the editors of the fanfic world.

 

What’s the problem? Many writers do not use beta readers. While there is good percentage that doesn’t need them, it’s a very small number indeed and even those could better from having someone critique their work. Rather, most do not have a beta or, if they do, they have a very incompetent beta.

 

Here are some ways to know if someone would be a good beta:

1.       If you’re a twelve-year old writer that doesn’t know how to spell, chances your best friend (also twelve) doesn’t know how to spell either. Find someone who knows the English language and its rules (It’s not too hard to find them. They’re the ones with excellent spelling and mostly correct grammar usage)

2.      If, when saying they would be a good beta, they come across as very kind and careful of not hurting feelings, run away. You do not want someone who will be worried of hurting your feelings. One of my betas sends back my works renamed to AB Type Axe-murdered and that’s perfect. I sometimes need a good bashing around the head to get back on track. If the possible beta sounds kind but honest and blunt, you want them.

3.       If they’re a rabid fan of your works (The type to leave a review going, “OMG I LOVE your story!”), take it with a grain of salt. Betas do not revise just because they get early viewings of stories. There’s also the chance that, since they’re rabid fans, they won’t give you an honest critique because they’ll be so in awe. The beta should like your works else their heart will not be in the revision. Neither will they so love it that everything is perfect, though.

4.      If they ask for something in return of beta work, tell them of a good place they can stick themselves in and precisely what to do with themselves there. Betaing is volunteer work which means they’ll do it and ask for nothing in return.

5.       If the beta tells you how to write the story (plot-wise), slap them, send them to that good place I mentioned and run away. Betas revise grammar, ensure the plot has no holes, and the story remains as close to canon as possible (even AUs are deeply rooted in canon). They can suggest some scenes to make it sound better but they cannot tell you where to take your story. You’re the writer, not them.

If your beta matches any of the above, I suggest you get another one. There is a list of beta readers in the Inescapable Boards and in the Twilight Lexicon. Many beta readers are writers, as well, and you can read their works first to see what they can do. Or, send them a test chapter just to see how they would revise it.

Now, let’s talk about how to respond to a beta when you do have a good one.

1.       You do not have to agree with all they suggest. Do bear in mind what they say as it usually has a point and try to incorporate it. I don’t agree with everything my betas tell me and I sometimes post as I wanted to but I do read their suggestions and try to understand why they suggested what they did. As I know the plot, I know what parts are necessary in the future that may look incongruous at first notice so I can ignore their suggestion to take it out. But those are very few indeed. If you ignore most or all of what the beta says, you’re going to have a very PO’d beta who will not revise further and may tell others what a horrible writer you are.

2.      If you make a constant mistake like trouble remembering when “its” or “it’s” is utilized, your beta will point it out and tell you how to differentiate. Listen to them and try to incorporate it in your writing. It equals less work for the beta and a bettering of your writing.

3.       Before you send anything to a beta, revise it first. Run it through spell-check, try to pick out the obvious grammar mistakes yourself. Firstly, the only way to learn to write properly is to learn how to self-critique. Secondly, betas typically become annoyed when they’re constantly correcting obvious spelling mistakes the writer should catch like “teh”, “beutiful” and “Wensday”.

4.      When they correct something and it returns to you full of red, don’t get mad, don’t start crying, and don’t take it personally. They’re trying to help you. If you had enough mistakes to make every other word red, then I pity the beta and not you. I would have sent it back like I got it with a note at the beginning saying “Spell and grammar check before sending it to me”. The fact that the beta took the time to revise every single mistake speaks loads about their patience and willingness to help you. If they took time out of their lives to fix your works, the least you can do is not get annoyed at them. It’s your own fault for not knowing how to write.

Hopefully, this clears up some things about betas. Before posting, hunt one down. You’re not even limited to one. I have two wonderful betas that, between the two of them, catch every mistake and help my writing come out polished. Silly_Bella (if you don’t know who she is you don’t know about Twilight fanfiction) has quite a few. Having a beta does not mean your writing is so bad that you need an editor. It means you are an intelligent author who wants honest critique on how to better your art.

Plus having someone honestly criticizing your works is loads better than seeing it mocked and ripped to pieces here. Your choice.