I was thinking the same thing, Zach. While I agree reciprocation is a beautiful thing, one must remember that we all have to start somewhere, and we all don't start out knowing exactly how good you need to be to beta read. For instance, I would LOVE to beta read for people. I want to offer, but am afraid that my lack of experience in seeing how it's done by those better at it than I, will result in a poor beta reading job done by me. I don't want to do a bad job beta reading. Yes, I can read and write, and would love the chance to try.
I will be VERY careful before I ask anyone too. I don't want to offend anyone here, or look like a parasite with her hand out, lol.
I try to be here and interact, and dammit if I didn't forget my password and cannot get into the forums. Now I'm stuck not being able to interact with you folks in the forums at all. I may need to create a new account, darn. Any suggestions on that front? I would like to start getting myself better known and 'liked' as Maryn put it. Thank you for the heads up, girl.
The purpose of a beta is inherently different than that as an editor, Lisagh.
When I choose Beta's, those I have are all readers, and only one to date is a writer, and I do that for a reason. I write for readers, not writers.
If a writer can read my work and offer constructive criticism (and if someone cannot accept criticism of their work, they don't need to be writing anyway, because it is impossible to please everyone) and point out holes and inconsistencies.
If the pace is too frantic, I want my reader to tell me that, as well as if they went off to find something better to do.
Writing well, to me, is a lot like a song. It has to have the right pace and rhythm, with just enough slow down at the right spots to give the reader a chance to catch their breath, and then hitting the gas again before they wander off to watch paint dry.
But my big reason I choose who I do is I only pick those that don't try to get their voice in my writing. We're all unique, with a differing style of writing. It's why some of the best authors get caught when they try pen names, because the writing style and flow are the same.
How I would describe something will be inherently different than how you or anyone else would, and that is something that I watch for.
I don't have time to beta right now, but I will do so eventually again, after I finish my current work in progress.