to beta or not to beta? and fic recs
I had an offer from someone who read my first story to beta my fics, and at first I was all excited. All writers need a beta reader.
It always helps to have a second set of eyes. Many times I've read a story that I thought would be so much better if only they had gotten someone to proofread it. But I just don’t know that I can bring myself to do it. I’m afraid it’s going to cast me into doubt about my own writing. I know that I use awkward phrases; it’s a characteristic of my writing. But sometimes I find these awkward phrases sexy even if no-one else does. And I’m selfish; first and foremost, I want to like my own story, even if no-one else does.
Slash is one of those things I write just to keep my hand in practice. Primarily I’m a (non-erotic) short story writer. That’s what I consider my best writing, and it’s the writing that I’m most serious about. And I am just the same way about my short stories. I don’t want anyone else to read them. I recognize that it’s necessary so I do have someone read them, primarily to tell me which ones are good and which should be discarded. But I always keep this person at arm’s length. The better I know him, the less I want him to read my stories. It’s easier to take criticism from strangers, also, with strangers, I don’t have to worry that they might be reading too much into my stories and seeing my own life in the lives of my characters (which of course it is, I just don’t want anyone to know that.)
So, I’m going to do something which goes against all common sense. I am not going to use a beta reader. Instead I am just going to post my story and based on the commentary that follows, I will make some edits even after it’s live and re-post it. That means the first few readers will see a less polished story than the later readers. But if everyone else is just like me, they will read my story more than once, maybe even save it. So they will eventually get to see the more polished story.
I know it is not the best way to write, but for now, this is how I am comfortable. I’m just working on a few, er, awkward phrases and will post my next story, the sequel to “No Regrets,” later today.
More fic recs.
Acidic_Flower has written
Part Four of " An Honest Mistake” which features some incredibly hot House/Chase/Wilson sex. Reading this, I really felt for Chase, because House and Wilson tease him so mercilessly that by the end of the story, I was ready to beg for it myself. Aggressive!Wilson is so sexy, and House is a wicked tease. If you aren’t blushing by the time you finish this story, then you’re made of stone.
In case you missed the first few chapters, here is the whole story:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Fauxpocky, author of the incredibly romantic and beautifully sexy “The Seduction of Jimmy Wilson,” has written another sweet, hot tale called “Fantasies,” which gives real depth to their relationship and includes an oh-so-sexy scene in which House teases him over the phone. But it isn’t dominant!House, he’s just being a little bit naughty and enjoying the way Wilson begs, which, let’s face it, is totally hot because we all know that the good doctor wants it badly, heh.
I hope you like those fics as much as I did! Kudos to
Acidic_Flower and
Fauxpocky for being such awesome writers!