Surviving As A Beta

[Keira]

When it comes down to it - a beta is only as useful as her subject's author is willing to take criticism.

If someone asks for their work to be beta'd and then brushes off the corrections, criticism, and suggestions, where does that leave the beta? If I take a piece of mediocre work and attempt to make it something spectacular, but the author refuses to believe there is anything wrong, or that can be improved upon, with what was written, is there any point to beta'ing?

Usually when I beta, it's for someone who is literally devastated if I don't find something for them to improve upon. Now that I've found someone who's the exact opposite, I'm not sure what to do with myself, lol.

Okay, so this is a tad bit of a rant, but if someone is going to rope me into beta'ing without, 1) telling me that's the point behind them sharing their new story with me, and 2) paying attention to my comments, and 3) continues to send me things to work-over, which is a complete waste of my time... GAH. Lol.

Any suggestions on how to handle stubborn authors?

[latch22]

I haven't beta read for anyone like that so far, but I do have a few suggestions. It's your time and sanity that they're wasting, and you need to let them know that, yes, this is a service that you were kind enough to offer for nothing in return but the gratification of helping someone to become a better writer. If nothing you say is sticking, then they obviously think that they don't even need a beta, and they're not ready for one.

Really, though... if they don't seem to feel that they need a beta, then why did they ask for your assistance?

I've never come across someone who actually asked for my help and then disregarded everything that I said. (The person that I'm currently beta-reading for is exceptionally receptive and very pleasant, luckily.)

It's a shame that it isn't working out, but you've given them the chance to improve and it sounds like they're wasting your time. Maybe there'll be a time when they realize that they need to be more receptive to criticism.

Cheers, I hope!

[Keira]

I should also mention that I have a very hard time telling people no. Ask any of my friends - I cannot say no. It's nearly impossible for me. I also don't want to upset her because she's helping me with some very important web issue that would devestate me if she decided to go back to being only on friendly terms with me. It's good to have her around, lol.

But you're definitely right Latch. It is my time - and sanity - in question, and I really can't be bothered. If only it was that easy to let her down, lol.

[latch22]

Ah, I know what you mean. I was wondering if that might be the case. That definitely would make it a little difficult to lay down the law and say, "Look, you asked for my opinion, and this is it--take it or don't, but don't waste my time."

You could tell her that you're sorry but you've become too busy to beta for her, but I'm not sure how you would feel about that. (Although, from what I hear, you are pretty busy, so it's not like it's a lie...)

[st.elmo-lover]

I sadly have no suggestions. Actually, I'm in the same boat as you, I think.

This girl just randomly sent me a chapter of her story and asked me to look over it for her. So I did, made some nice suggestions, told her good points and her bad points...and I haven't heard from her since. I'm feeling neglected and I'm kind of hoping she doesn't send me anything else.

[Keira]

I don't mind beta'ing at all - but on my own terms, you know? If someone makes it known that they're willing to be a beta - great! But the author should really double check with them before actually sending chapters or expecting a response. Sometimes things are just too painful to read and become more a drag than anything.

Currently I beta for one person on a regular basis and she's a phenominal author. When she first asked me to beta for her I was shell-shocked first of all (her fanfiction has it's own fanbase following of several thousand people), but graciously accepted the offer. In the beginning I was having a hard time telling her what was good or not, because 1) I didn't want her to drop me as a beta, and 2) I'd never found anything wrong with her writing before. Of course, those previous chapters were all beta'd by about 3 different people before being posted. It's gotten to the point now though, that I realize if I DON'T make suggestions, I ain't gonna be her beta no more. Lol. Other than her, I really only beta for close friends, and even that isn't really beta'ing. It's just suggestions and comments, you know?

I do like that idea of "no time to beta." I'm usually so busy I can't write for myself. Most of that time I'm in a rut anyway, but I'd rather not allow what little spare time I do have to get cluttered by woefully, miserating, beta'ing. Lol. There's some beta'ing you enjoy, and there's others that take the piss (as Ryker would say).

[Tensleep]

*Hugs Beta*

Seriously. I never knew I was leaving out so many words or just plain making no sense before my beta took me on. I take all the suggestions and I try to make them work because they make sense. I read back over something and go "Huh...Yeah, that doesn't make much sense, does it?" And voila! I have something both written better and coherent. It's amazing.

So I think the best way to survive as a beta is for all us writers to take what we're given, thank our betas...and of course, hugs are optional

On that note, Thank you Laura!

See ya in the funny papers!!!

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