MetaFic

Well, I only beta for one author, so I can't speak for the 'profession' as a whole but I can tell you what I know.

I was more or less recruited by the author as a result of a discussion thread on his Google group. After going back and forth a bit on the group, he up and asked me if I would be interested in being a beta as our opinions and thought processes seemed to line up fairly well.

I gave him a disclaimer that I had never done anything like that previously, and we decided to give it a shot. It's worked out pretty well for both of us. We use Google Docs and he'll post the draft of his chapter there. I'll read over it, and while doing so hi-light things in the chapter that I think deserve attention. These can be things that I agree with, disagree with, funky sentence structures, or simply because I want him to know I particularly enjoyed or appreciated a line or two in the chapter. I correct and spot-check grammar and spelling where I notice it, but honestly he is pretty good with all that stuff already and by the time the chapter makes it to me it's already been through both Microsoft Word's and Google's spell-check systems, so those things receive lesser attention. He goes back later and sees the things I've notated, and either changes them, clarifies things by simply rewording the original lines, or just explains things to me so that I understand. Sometimes we'll go back and forth that way a few times on any particular scene until a scene gets finalized.

Mostly, I focus most of my time and effort on keeping his characters true to their behavior. As an example, there was a scene where Ron and Hermione are having a conversation and, long story short, Ron reveals to her that he is feeling rather excluded from his friends and has been engaging in some... well we'll call it blatantly self destructive behavior as a result. Hermione cares for Ron, at least as a very good friend, and she has some notion of why Ron feels that way but didn't know it was that bad. In the initial revision of the scene, Hermione's reaction to Ron's behavior was... far too tame. Ron's behavior was borderline a suicidal type tendency and Hermione was concerned, but not overly so, and that didn't line up with Hermione's muggle upbringing and her compassionate nature as a person, in my opinion. I pointed those things out, and the scene was altered to include a much more shocked reaction from Hermione as well as her more urgently and decisively confronting the problem to save her friend.

That's my example. My advice to you, uneducated as it may be, would be to find someone who agrees or at least understands the characters as you want to portray them. My author (strange use of the possessive there, I think) favors a deeper Ron than the average fanfic authors; a Ron with some personal insecurity and self confidence issues but some strong opinions about what it is to be a good friend. He's not just good at chess. I agree with that Ron, and I know how I'd want that Ron to be portrayed, so I can keep the author in check and he doesn't mind when I call him on things because it helps line the character up with his own ideals as well. We share - at least mostly - common views on all the major characters in the story so far, and I've gotten a feel for how he wants the characters to be perceived so I can help him with that.

When I volunteer to be someone's beta, I read what they have of the story first. If its something I like and they are looking for a beta, and I have some time, I'll volunteer. It doesn't matter how many typos they make. Its the concept of the story and its plot that is the deciding factor for me.

As a beta I am not interested in checking someone's writing for typos and grammar issues. I do that, but it is only part of what I do for the authors I work with. In general, I work with people who are looking for someone that is going to read their works and listen to their ideas and give an honest answer. I see my job as providing a resource to the author to help them polish their story and as a mentor to help them improve their writing.

I am looking for someone who is interested in a encompassing collaborative approach to writing. This means I work with them on plot, character development, continuity, setting, word choice, grammar, pacing, and style. I offer advice and make recommendations for changes. In most cases, the changes are accepted, but in others the author and I have a discussion about the issue which often provides both of us with a deeper understanding of the work.

In general, beta work is about trust. An author needs to trust his/her beta to be mindful of the intent of the story and of the author's prerogative to write his/her story. The beta trusts the author to take the edited work as a learning experience and react to those changes in a positive and constructive manner.

Arrogant betas and arrogant authors are poor companions and often result in hurt feelings and substandard writing. Being a beta is not about being correct and slashing apart writing. Rather, it is helping an author to shine by reaching their potential.

-Jonathan

- A good novel is an indivisible sum; every scene, sequence and passage of a good novel has to involve, contribute to and advance all three of its major attributes: theme, plot, characterization.
Ayn Rand - The Romantic Manifesto p. 74 (pb 93)

First and foremost I want them to let them know if what I've written is any good or not. If it's not I'll go away and rewrite it and there's nothing more to be said. Beyond that, and leaving aside the obvious bits like grammar etc, I want inconsistencies in the plot of characterisation pointed out. Being honest, grammar Nazis are ten a penny, editors are not.

I also want someone with whom I can talk to about the unwritten parts of the story as well. I prefer phone to email IM etc and its dirt cheap these days. Many a time an hour on the dog and bone has resolved a mountain of things.