Comments | nos4a2no9: My semi-annual writerly freak out

nos4a2no9

My semi-annual writerly freak out

Feb 07, 2007 17:06

I decided that I was going to make a real, honest attempt today to fix the dS rentboy!Fraser AU I've been working on since forever. jamethiel_bane was kind enough to edit half of an early draft for me and suggested several changes that should be made, and I find myself completely unable to make them. Like, I know that she's right, and I know exactly what's wrong ( Read more... )

wip, writing stuff, due south stuff, fanfic

Comments 6

debris_k February 7 2007, 22:24:06 UTC

Hey you. I've had the same thing happen to me with one of my own stories; the beta did such a good job she scared the bejeezuss out of me and I haven't been able to touch the thing since, even though I *know* she had valid points. Why does writing always end up to be such drama? *sigh ( ... )

nos4a2no9 February 8 2007, 02:46:14 UTC

Losing two hours of work (and the conclusion!) would completely defeat me. There needs to be some kind of support group online where you can go and wail about losing that much material due to technical failure. I am totally incapable of dealing with that kind of setback; if it happened to me I'd just be all, "Well, that's that." I admire your resiliency and I hope you'll be up to continuing with your project later. For now I suggest weeping. Weeping and chocolate. But not the writers-block cookies. Those have a far darker purpose.

I will probably (okay, definitely) take you up on the beta offer. I think I do need a second pair of eyes, just because this thing is hard and I am not that bright.

And you're right about the drama. I'm always astonished by how fragile my ego is when it comes to getting beta critique. I am a quivering mass of insecurity :-)

jamethiel_bane February 7 2007, 23:31:52 UTC

Hey. I'm on YIM, or I could send you an email? I think I have a few things that could help.

nos4a2no9 February 8 2007, 02:41:32 UTC

Help would be very much appreciated! I felt bad asking, because the chunk I sent you was so huge and I wasn't able to address a lot of your concerns. So if you have the time and inclination...*makes with the big-eyed Mountie look*

ignazwisdom February 8 2007, 02:36:24 UTC

I completely sympathize. Although I don't think there's anything wrong with posting some stuff and asking the community at large for help. Also, if you want me to take a look at it -- not that I don't completely suck as a beta, which I do -- you know where I am.

nos4a2no9 February 8 2007, 02:49:01 UTC

You are an AWESOME beta! You are very thorough and rational and a bunch of other good stuff! But I hesitate to inflict this on you, because it is just too massive and I know you have your own massively-hard House fic to tackle. But thank you very much for the offer, and I'll probably end up sending you a later, complete draft. Because...Jesus. I'm going to wear out jamiethel_bane and debris_k with these early-stage problems :-)