What makes a good beta

[malenkayacherepakha]

We had an interesting conversation in one of my group chats today prompted by the question: do you think a bad writer can be a good beta?

The general consensus was yes, they can still be a valuable help, because beta'ing isn't just about checking the technical side of the writing, but also about making sure the plot works, that the pacing and characterisation are right etc, and if someone is a good reader they can check for those things. To me it's another good reason to have more than one beta - everyone has different strengths and can check your fic for different things, all of which are important for making a fic work.

I thought I'd throw that question out here too, to see what you all thought, and also tack on a follow up - what do you think are the important qualities a good beta needs?

Comments

[pauraque]

This is a great rundown of the issues at play with this! I've recently been thinking about it too. The vagueness/multifacetedness of the beta role is why I think it's important to discuss with a beta what, exactly, you want them to do. I've worked with betas where we actually did developmental editing, and it really helped me improve on a deeper level than just making my prose better. (One of the most important questions a beta ever asked me was "What do you want a reader to take away from this fic?") But not everyone knows how to work on a story on all possible levels, from big-picture conceptual stuff, to structure, to individual word choices.

Writing isn't just one skill, but rather a suite of interconnected skills, and the same goes for critical reading.

[malenkayacherepakha]

It's *such* a vague role! and I think a lot of newbie betas don't quite know what's expected of them beyond spag. It's definitely important to have that conversation about expectations, and I've personally making a point to proactively say what I want from my betas, and also ask writers what they want when I'm betaing for them.

I'd love to do some more developmental editing with my betas but it's essential to get the right people for that.

Your final sentence is such a perfect way of summing it all up.