Whispers

I am terrible with betas. I'm over sensitive and alienate people, and having strangers read my stuff didn't help much. (Actually, it was so soul destroying I gave up publishing for over seven months and considered giving up writing.)

I know friends hold back, but I don't think it's right to work with complete strangers, either. They have no reason to care about what you're doing unless you pay them, and that's not a good basis for understanding.

I actually feel the reverse: I am only able to comment freely about someone's stuff if I know them. I don't know how they'll react if I don't know them, and I spent most of my life playing peacemaker and holding back my feelings so that I didn't rock some fragile boats. I couldn't say no for years because I had misguided loyalties. It's only been recently that I've been able to voice opinions. Some of the things I told you when I had issues with parts of your stories I wouldn't have dreamed of saying a few years ago.

So I don't think being a stranger is the end all of being a good beta. It takes more.

I envy you the good relationship you have with your beta. And your ability to take criticism.