How do I find a beta reader?
I'll be honest: finding someone to beta read your fic may not be quick and easy. In terms of potential emotional stress, I'd rank it somewhere between finding a hairstylist and finding a therapist. Like either of those relationships, though, it's okay if the first one doesn't work out. Part amicably and move on. There are other candidates available.
That said, I have found TWD's fanfic writers to be amazingly generous and mutually supportive people. It may be a little intimidating at first to reach out to someone you don't know, but I can almost guarantee they will be welcoming. And it's going to be so, so worth it in the end.
- In the case of Nine Lives, you've already got a number of people listed on the site who are volunteering to act as beta for you, so all you have to do is look at what they're offering and get in touch with them. I will suggest reading some of their fic to see their writing style, if that's possible. However, please note: just because they don't have anything published here doesn't mean they can't be a good beta - in such a case, I would suggest you look at any reviews they've left for clues as to whether they provide constructive feedback.
- Check out people on other fanfic sites, too. PM your favorite author and see if they'll do it. You know that writer whose prose just flows like honey when you're reading it? Ask them to be your beta reader. It's like dating - if you don't ask, the answer will always be "no." You want your stuff to be beta'd by a good writer, don't you? If they're not available for whatever reason, see if they have any suggestions for someone else who is good and may be available. Again, it can't hurt to ask.
- Always try to use a beta who's a better writer than you are.
- It's not going to do you any good if your beta doesn't have decent skills and just wants to tell you how wonderful you are, if you're actually not. Be honest with yourself: you probably know you have weak areas, so if you're not getting any suggestions for changes, either your beta either isn't as good a critic as you need them to be, or they're more concerned with not hurting your feelings than with improving your story.
- Expanding on that last one: having a good friend beta-read for you is not a good idea, unless your relationship is one that you can be blunt with each other. I've seen too many instances where someone has said, "but I did have someone beta the story for me," except it was a friend, who just said, "oh, it's perfect the way it is, you don't need to change a thing!" -- either overlooking errors or simply not seeing them. Using a friend may be convenient, but don't go the easy route at the cost of getting a genuinely objective review of your writing.
How important is it for my beta to be familiar with The Walking Dead? I'm of two different minds when it comes to the importance of a beta being familiar with your fandom. On one hand, NOT being familiar with the fandom isn't important when it comes to the mechanics of your story - the nuts and bolts stuff like spelling/grammar/punctuation, the flow of the language, etc. Also, not being too familiar with the world in which you're writing may be helpful in spotting the gaps. On the other hand, only a fan is going to know whether you're getting your characterization or 'voice' right. Also, there may be things you only allude to subtly in your writing because everyone in the fandom already knows, for example, that Daryl doesn't take his shirt off because of his scars, or that Maggie is still grieving losing both her remaining family members - a beta who isn't familiar with the fandom may find that confusing or obscure. Whether or not that's an unresolvable issue depends on you, your beta, and the particular story.
Questions? feel free to send me a PM.
-- subversivegrrl
Click here for info on working with a beta.