Because, apparently, there can't be too much ranting about writing

[blade_girl]

Let me begin by acknowledging that the membership of this community may well be the wrong people to be ranting at on this issue. It's likely that those of you who joined or watch this comm have a full command of the language (in this case, English) and are cognizant of the proper and effective way to express your ideas in prose.

Comments

[luchia13]

I happen to be one of those obnoxious people who posts without betas. I kind of hate myself for it too, rest assured, but considering just about everything I write is on request and usually my first two commenters point out any typos and grammar mess-ups for me (they're wonderful ♥) anyway, it works for me. It's not out of disrespect for the reader or laziness in general - I kind of think it's obvious when someone's just lazy or doesn't quite know what they're doing - it's out of simple impatience and, well, predominately the fact I'm kind of a protective bitch when it comes to my writing and don't want anyone reading it until I'm ready to let them...I don't really know what point this has, actually, aside from saying that sometimes the people who have typos and don't have the time to get them beta'd have typos and such because, if they're like me, they're too busy writing papers on Tolstoy and Abu Simbel while writing porn at the same time. (It's funny when I get the "were you typing one-handed" comment because yes, actually, I

[blade_girl]

Ah, it's always a danger to generalize, isn't it

[luchia13]

Ahhh, no problem. I figured as much, but felt like I should defend at least the few of us who do it just because of a lack of time and having vicious, sadistic bastards for professors.

Also, something that really concerns me is the read-through betas that aren't...um. Okay, no polite way to phrase this, that are REALLY BAD BETAS. But plot betas are just the most fantasmagorical thing EVER TO WALK THE INTERNET. It takes someone you can trust, but man, when you find some good ones, you're in heaven.

Ahhhhhhhh, gotcha. But lacking originality always makes me so, so sad. I mean, sure, I turn people into ninjas for the hell of it, but when a fic seriously makes you think about things...oh boy do I love that.

[amedia]

*makes mental note to read your ninja fic, because, dude, well-researched ninjas!*

Actually I wanted to bring up a minor disagreement about the beta-ing advice too.

enlist the advice of a beta. If possible, choose someone who writes better than you.

I usually do have my stories beta'd and I have an awesome beta who is very perceptive about character, painfully good at spotting plot holes, and if possible a bigger grammar nazi than I am,* with, furthermore, a sense of style in addition to correctness. (Who would probably be banging his head against a wall over that sentence.) And who doesn't write fic at all.

So I wouldn't say that a beta necessarily has to be a writer. If I didn't already have a beta, though, and if I were looking for a beta in a new fandom, I might very well ask someone whose writing I admire, but I might be even more likely to go to that person and ask who her beta is and whether the beta has time for a new client.

*I would mention that this person is also a former freshman composition teacher, but after

[verilyverity]

I guess it's a syllological hole. "All men are not Aristotle," and such. A great beta doesn't have to be a good writer, but a beta who is a good writer is closer to a sure thing when you first take the plunge.

[luchia13]

They are so researched it's stupid. But it's slash and Glitch/Ambrose/Sessha/Joat/Spiral/Tomo/Sweetheart is SERIOUSLY messed in the head, so BE FOREWARNED. Since all those names? Yeah. Different facets/personas. *always has to give these warning*

My biggest problem is that the person whose fanfic writing I admire most doesn't even know what Tin Man is, and know damn well she doesn't use a beta. Then again, I always go for ingenuity and plot and not always the actual quality of writing (flow, sentence structure, etc.), so asking me whose writing I admire most isn't always the best question. Honestly I need to ask someone ELSE who to ask.

[blade_girl]

See, this is why discussions are swirling pools of awesomeness, and I say that as someone who NEVER uses the word "awesome" in its contemporary slang capacity. Your comment has pointed out yet another generalization I've made that I didn't really mean to make

[allronix1]

Heh. Another place I'm half-tempted to bring my DCU character, alt_minds2

[verilyverity]

Yet another silly hat!

You know, it's funny. When I started writing fic in Tin Man, I didn't intend to have betas. I sort of eyeballed tinman_fic and thought to myself, "None of these people can really get my fic from point A to point B." But I asked anyway as a matter of course, and I have to say, I'd be lost without my betas. Especially blade_girl. She has an eye for plotting and pacing, without which my fics would be long, rambly messes going off in all directions.

[luchia13]

You know, I'm actually thinking that after I finish up my Epic Of Doom I'll get myself a beta for my Oneshots Of Doom And Usually Crack. I've got three plot-betas but...WELL! I love them to death but beta-betas they are not.

[blade_girl]

Aw, shucks! *blushes*

That said (and blushed), I would be remiss if I didn't state that verilyverity is exaggerating profusely. I'd love to sit back and claim, "Damn straight - she'd be nothin' without my help!", it simply isn't true. But I'm glad that she thinks so. It gives me leverage.

*rubs hands together with a low rumble of evil laughter*

[andrealyn]

YOU LOVE US AND YOU KNOW IT.

[luchia13]

DID I EVER SAY OTHERWISE? GOOD GOD, I HAVE TO GO TIE JONAS TO THE CHAIR, DON'T I. Poor boy will be terrified of me for LIFE.

ALSO I WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF THE FACT YOU'RE MARRIED TO THE DOCTOR. JUST SO YOU KNOW.

[andrealyn]

When I finish reading these chapters, I am contemplating putting something private up. AND CHASE SAYS THAT IS V. COMPLICATED and hoo boy is it ever.

[invderlava]

usually my first two commenters point out any typos and grammar mess-ups for me (they're wonderful ♥)

>.> <.< ♥ :DD

I will comment on the actual topic when I am home and not in English class.

[luchia13]

Love you too, Vader~♥