Disclaimer: Everything BtVS and AtS is owned by Joss, ME, and all them over there. Everything Anita Blake is owned by Laurell K. Hamilton
The Importance of Beta's
Now that you have written your fiction, it is time to get a beta reader.
Most sites where you would or could submit your fiction require you to have it beta read first. What �beta read' means is to have someone go through and proofread your work. Most betas will look at the basic grammar, sentence structure, word usage, and comma usage. They also pay attention to how your story flows and how it fits together. Maybe you are missing an important even you had hinted at earlier in the piece.
Another thing they look at is characterization. Are you keeping true to the characters? If you give Spike a Texan accent, lets say, for the entire fiction and you do not explain why that is�a beta reader will let you know.
Beta reader's may also be able to help you get the �voices' of the characters right by asking themselves, and you, �is this something so and so would say?'
Beta readers' can be very helpful if used properly, and not abused. There are some beta's out there that will be more then happy to check spelling, and then there are other's that will not. Talk with whoever is willing to beta read for you before sending your fiction. Let them know what it is you are looking for in a beta reader.
When contacting a beta be sure that:
• They read your pairing. There is no use getting a beta that does not like/read that pairing. There are plenty of beta reader's out there; you are bound to find someone.
• Find out if they do what you are looking for. Be it grammar, characterization, plot flow, etc�
It is even advisable to get more then one beta reader. They are only human after all; even though some may seem like Grammar gods, and two heads are definitely better then one.