I think there's a difference between someone critiquing someone's work and just being downright heartless about it.
Yes, I may make a mistake or two. Or a certain section is giving me problems. Calling me imbecile or anything else is not a way to encourage me to fix it. "This section doesn't sound right. What are you seeing when you write this? Maybe the two of us can come up with something." THAT is helpful. I don't expect, nor do I want someone to write the story for me. But sometimes the thought from my brain to my fingers gets lost and I lose something. Nor do I expect or want for a beta to be a fluffy with their critiquing my work. Maybe since I've gotten to know one of my betas in the past 8 years since I've gotten one, we're more on a friendly basis. If there's something that it's obvious that I'm struggling with, she will help me. I believe that a beta is only as good as the writer. If you're a shit beta, then you'll be absolutely worthless with the critiquing. "Good, but it could be better." isn't helpful either. What is missing? What did you like and what didn't you? What could be better? Maybe I'm confusing a beta with something else. I think betas are there to help keep you on the write path (no, I did not misspell that one), as well as kick you in the pants when needed.
Yes, I may make a mistake or two. Or a certain section is giving me problems. Calling me imbecile or anything else is not a way to encourage me to fix it. "This section doesn't sound right. What are you seeing when you write this? Maybe the two of us can come up with something." THAT is helpful. I don't expect, nor do I want someone to write the story for me. But sometimes the thought from my brain to my fingers gets lost and I lose something. Nor do I expect or want for a beta to be a fluffy with their critiquing my work. Maybe since I've gotten to know one of my betas in the past 8 years since I've gotten one, we're more on a friendly basis. If there's something that it's obvious that I'm struggling with, she will help me. I believe that a beta is only as good as the writer. If you're a shit beta, then you'll be absolutely worthless with the critiquing. "Good, but it could be better." isn't helpful either. What is missing? What did you like and what didn't you? What could be better? Maybe I'm confusing a beta with something else. I think betas are there to help keep you on the write path (no, I did not misspell that one), as well as kick you in the pants when needed.