- If you disagree with a comment/correction/suggestion your beta makes, ask rather than just ignore it. - Be up front about what you want from your beta. Unless I hear otherwise, I make comments/suggestions about everything, starting with characterisation and plot (sometimes to the chagrin/horror of the writer). - Acknowledge your beta when you post. - For heaven's sake, spell check! :D - If you know the characters are wildly OOC, please tell your beta this up front, so they don't write two pages of comments as to why they think Snape wouldn't become a florist after the defeat of Voldemort (or some other such thing). - Read your fic through at least once before you send it. Make an effort to get it in posting-ready shape first; if I have to plow through a rough draft and re-write it, I consider that co-authorship, not editing.
no subject
To everything stated above, I'd add:
- If you disagree with a comment/correction/suggestion your beta makes, ask rather than just ignore it.
- Be up front about what you want from your beta. Unless I hear otherwise, I make comments/suggestions about everything, starting with characterisation and plot (sometimes to the chagrin/horror of the writer).
- Acknowledge your beta when you post.
- For heaven's sake, spell check! :D
- If you know the characters are wildly OOC, please tell your beta this up front, so they don't write two pages of comments as to why they think Snape wouldn't become a florist after the defeat of Voldemort (or some other such thing).
- Read your fic through at least once before you send it. Make an effort to get it in posting-ready shape first; if I have to plow through a rough draft and re-write it, I consider that co-authorship, not editing.