Beta Reading is Unappreciated

Jul 23, 2010 13:53

Seriously, it is. I've seen fics where the author claims to have a beta that are horrific, and fics that are fully edited by the same author where the beta had to have been a godsend. I've beta'ed for a lot of people over the years I've been involved in fandom, and 99% of those folks have given credit where it was due - that is literally all I ask ( Read more... )

bitchy, bitching, life, wtf?, fandom, rant, fiction

Leave a comment

Comments 23

(The comment has been removed)

katsuko July 23 2010, 18:07:34 UTC
I keep forgetting to friend this journal XD It is done now, hooray! I can view Pinsky's arts ♥♥♥

Reply


apollymi July 23 2010, 18:03:33 UTC
I remember looking over this one, I believe. There was something to the tune of 300+ corrections, right?

And there might be something mentioned on the latest chapter of Betrüger on this. Maybe. Could be. Possibly. Perhaps.

Look at the cute kitten instead!

Reply

katsuko July 23 2010, 18:14:45 UTC
Oh yes, that was the 5 page story with over 300 corrections. No response as yet, but I'm waiting for a pout-flounce-pulled-fic combo pack.

Please. I already love you, yamimine, but I will adore you further if you somehow smite her in Betrüger. Or let Gwyllgi eat her. That would rock too.

KITTY!! *uses a kitty icon too XD*

Reply

apollymi July 23 2010, 18:23:08 UTC
Hmmm, I could try it, but I'm not sure Gwyllgi has done anything to deserve that. He's a good puppy, after all! He keeps Mokuba's ass out of trouble! That's a full time job right there. I mean, maybe if we have puppy Pepto for later...

Also, also, also, Hikari-mine... The rule is to never have anything to do with anyone who refers to themselves as "hanyou", not to mention "half-okami" and "half-jovian". I think the accepted term now is "weeaboo"... and that's not a good thing.

And hurray, I had a remembering! Yay!

Have another kitty!

Reply

katsuko July 23 2010, 18:29:14 UTC
...you're right. The smiting will suffice; we don't want the puppy to get a tummy ache, they'll hear him whimpering in China.

Lesson learned: no more fucking weaboos. It wasn't cool when they were being called "otaku" and it certainly ain't cool now....

I am out of kitties on my end, but have a teeny!Ravage in reply to bat-country!kitty ♥

Reply


(The comment has been removed)

katsuko July 23 2010, 18:12:18 UTC
Ugh, I hate when that happens. I used to have a few beta readers, but in recent years I've neglected to get a pre-read on things (and am grateful when folks point something out to me, so I can fix it!!) and sort-of-kind-of flub it with spell/grammar check.

But even that's doing more than most people. See apollymi's comment above, as I showed her the file and she can tell you exactly how much work I put into that thing only for this to happen.

No response as yet to my reply her way (along the lines of "That's odd, I distinctly remember going over this and sending it, and some of the changes look like my suggestions. Whatever, I suppose. Since you have another reader I guess you really don't need me anymore.") but I'll wait and see. I've already reworked my beta profile from on-hiatus to not-active and noted that only beta requests from people I know on LJ will be considered, so that's that.

Reply


graycalls July 23 2010, 18:21:57 UTC
...shit. You were the other beta she got? *Headdesk* Hi. I'm the one she got first, and didn't credit.

Reply

katsuko July 23 2010, 18:26:03 UTC
I thought Beta #1 was someone from over here, I just couldn't recall who. And she never credited you either, I do recall that vividly. I'm literally waiting for her to pout and pull the story then try it again with another beta.

apollymi - who is my best friend, confidant, and roommate - has noted she's a bit surprised that Joviano pulled this shit when I'm on her faved author's list. I'm just pissed.

Reply

graycalls July 23 2010, 18:38:50 UTC
*Sighs* It would fit her pattern to try. :/ I'm just wondering if there's anywhere you can report her to, so others know not to even try.

Reply

graycalls July 23 2010, 20:43:18 UTC
Honestly? I don't think there's anywhere on FFnet that you can report her. This may have to be the best you can do, and hope word gets out. Either that, or spread the word to other authors on FFnet you are acquainted with who are betas.

Starfire201

Reply


niyazi_a July 23 2010, 18:52:57 UTC
AHAHAHAHA Send her to me to beta. People ask me to beta for them....ONCE. I correct EVERYTHING, in red, and then write a long critique of the story arc, characterization, and setting.

I've never been credited on FFN. lol.

(Seriously, rec me to her and I will tear her fic apart. I don't care if I get credit or not).

Also: It's shocking to me: I mean you're not asking her to buy you a damn cookie bouquet or anything. Literally, all she has to do is type "thanks to X for beta". NOT. HARD.

Reply

katsuko July 23 2010, 19:01:24 UTC
From here on out when I beta, I will demand cookie bouquets. So mote it be!!

(For the record, I love you for beta'ing for me that one time I asked. I just need to actually finish the story some year....)

Reply

apollymi July 23 2010, 19:05:35 UTC
Excuse me, pardon me...

Just cutting in here to say cookie bouquets? That sound supremely awesome and need to exist if they don't already.

Reply

eerian_sadow November 17 2010, 17:29:37 UTC
(late comment is late, but i'm just now getting back to this thread because of the new dramaz)

cookie boquets do, in fact, exist! generally they're made from decorated sugar cookies baked on sticks. there are a few stores online that make them, but they're stupidly expensive. if you really want one, i'd say try finding a local/nearby bakery.

Reply


Leave a comment

Up