On Being a Beta

[mercurychkita]

I just found an interesting post through metafandom about The Different Types of Critiquers. Since I've beta'd for a number of people on my f-list, and will probably continue to do so for some of you, I thought it might be helpful to ask what type of critiquer you've found me to be in the past, was it helpful, and/or what type of feedback you'd

Comments

[revolos55]

That was a neat post. I know I'm first and foremost a Reactionist with almost all fanfic I read. I graduate to a kind of unsolicited Line and Research Critiquer once I've built up a relationship with an author. I find Global critiquing pretty difficult actually, and I think I'm lucky to have worked for authors who don't need much of that.

[mercurychkita]

Yeah, that sounds about right, although I know you had some pretty big input on at least one of the VS eps last season. That counts as Global critiquing, because it demonstrated an overall vision of the storyline and what was needed, plot-wise. But you're right, since the VS writers are so strong, we're not left with much to do other than line-edits (not that I'm complaining!)

[revolos55]

Yeah, Global just the once on the VS. At least once that was helping mold the actual story. I don't really count the spitballing and theorizing that the whole crew does once a week to be critique.

And I've done it with two other writers that I can recall; once inside the WMC fandom, and once in a fandom that I knew very well, but wasn't passionate about. That one was a lot easier to critique Globally. It feels really neat to have influence on the story, but I think the reason I find it so difficult is I get a bit too fangirly about the material ;)

And yeah, I've been totally spoiled by the VS and another writer I work with.

[hawkbehere]

Hmmm. Well, I do think that would depend on your writer. The first duty of a beta/editor is always the line by line thing. You're there to make sure the copy is correct. But some of these things (like the fact I started this sentence with but) are stylistic choices. You know my writing well enough to let me have a little leeway but not to let me go nuts

[mercurychkita]

Aw, thanks so much for this thoughtful analysis. I really appreciate it.

And, as we've discussed, I've begun to develop a sort of fondness for the em-dash because of you. You're rubbing off on me, woman! (Mind out of the gutter!)

Oh yeah, and who said I didn't like your original work, hm? Stop spreading lies and get back to writing! LOL

[hawkbehere]

Mercury! Goodness gracious. You know my mind is always, always gutter-free. Especially around you (blinking innocently).

I can't seem to help my em-dash usage, but now I feel a bit like I've been bitten by a pernicious bug when I use them. As you well know, I keep Calamine lotion by my computer for all real and grammatical bugs.

I'll get back to writing, Merc, but only because you'll have to read it. See how that works? It's completely delicious. (Mind out of the gutter!)

Hawk-be-em-dash

[piedra_lumbre]

Interesting post. I've only asked you to do a little global criticism and you did, so no complaints from me. (g) In fact, while those stories are mostly stalled at the moment, your critiques were very helpful and I wouldn't hesitate to send you something in the future.

P.S. I'm thinking about writing something for your birthday and I wondered if you had any requests or prompts that you'd like to see. One of my recent posts gives a fairly good overview of the fandoms I'm familiar with and we've discussed this in the past, so keep that in mind if you do give me a prompt.

[mercurychkita]

Thanks for commenting, I'm glad my feedback was helpful.

Aww, that's so sweet! I'm pretty terrible at giving prompts, but I'd be happy with anything from DWP, Veronica Mars (there is so a need for more Veronica/Mac fic) or Wicked. Or Cordelia/Faith. Have you read Liz Estrada's Cordelia/Faith fic? It's phenomenal. She's the one that turned me onto that pairing.

[piedra_lumbre]

Thanks for the rec, that was an awesome story.

I would have gotten back to you sooner, but LJ has quit letting me know when I have comments unless I check my email. As for the prompt's I'll see what I can do, and you can tell which direction I'm leaning in from the icon.

[mercurychkita]

Sweet!

[pin_drop]

Happy birthday, lady. Don't mind me -- I'm just breezing through.

[mercurychkita]

Aw, thank you darlink.

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[anonymous]

Hello