Beta poll

[oxoniensis]

I'm stealing this poll from out_there! Because one can never have too many betas, and because I'm weirdly reticent about asking people to beta for me. Even if you already beta for me, would you mind filling it in, so I know what I can send you?

Comments

[oxoniensis]

Absolutely! I think it's getting passed along, as I stole it from Annie Lee, and she stole it from someone else!

[swtalmnd]

I'm being trained to use tact when betaing, so you needn't fear the sarcasm like my old people used to ;) But, I'm very slow, usually over a week for turnaround unless it's v. short, so that's why I clicked the 'no' -- I'd hate to say 'yes' and let you down.

also, smack me if i should change icons *innocent whistling*

[oxoniensis]

Hee! I have betas who claim to be sarcastic, but they just make me laugh!

BTW, though I haven't specifically offered to beta for you in ages, I'm still willing. I'm just a bit diffident about the HP porny stuff, because if there's Snape involved, or kinky stuff, I'd find it hard to be an impartial beta. (I'm assuming that 'cut all mention of Snape and sex' wouldn't be what you'd be looking for! *g*)

[swtalmnd]

I used to make my writers cry, which is why I didn't beta for a long time *cough* *innocent whistling* *still thinks they were wusses*

I've got a Harry/Draco (crossdressing lolita-goth tokyo-train-pervert) crackfic in the works, would you like to be on the list for thaaaat? *bats eyelashes* Plus!! I've got that stupid SV story I want finished and would love you forever and maybe even try a fast-turnaround beta if you'd help.

So, we could actually be mutually beneficial! Also, I wouldn't mind doing SGA though I didn't check it, because some SGA fic does it for me and some doesn't and I have yet to figure out if it's me or the fics.

[oxoniensis]

Of the two, I'll pick the SV story (is that the mirror one?)! If you're not desperate for fast turnaround (I've got a beta in the works, and another possible one arriving in the next day or two), I'll be happy to have a go at it.

Actually, when it comes to SGA fic, I sometimes find it depends on the author. For example, there's an author whose SV stories I love to bits, but her SGA stories do not do it for me, at all!

[dove95]

Assuming I know what beta means, is that just like a LJ term for making sure that the fanfic makes sense is grammatically correct... just having another eyes read it before it's posted?

Then, I'm game. I didn't answer what type of fic I'd read cuz I'm pretty open and hard to offend.

[oxoniensis]

A beta actually does a lot more than just check for grammar. It varies from writer to writer, but generally a good beta can have quite a major role. Some will discuss plot points, canon issues, character voice etc as the story is being written - I was bouncing ideas off one of my betas the other day when I didn't know which direction to take the story. With the finished story they might look at the story structure, overall flow, whether there are point of view issues, grammar, spelling and punctuation, characterisation, etc, etc!

That's why most writers are always on the look out for good betas! *g*

[dove95]

I've never beta-ed before, but I'd be willing to give Grey's Anatomy and/or Supernatural a go the most since I have easy access to both. That is if you were willing to let me have a go... :)

But I also don't know if I'd be any good cuz I've not read a terrible amount of fanfic... so that's really up to you :)

[oxoniensis]

I seem to just write ficlets in Grey's Anatomy, so if you fancy having a go at betaing sometime, that would probably be an easy place to start!

I first betaed a few years ago, and I was pretty new to fandom, so I learnt as I went along!