WIP Check-In: August 29th

[sperrywink]

I will respond to comments! I am just having a bit of a rough week.

Poll #11571 Check In: August 29th

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 5

View Respondents

How has today been?

View Answers

Awesome!
0 (0.0%)

Pretty good
2 (40.0%)

okay
2 (40.0%)

meh
1 (20.0%)

Why are you taunting me?
0 (0.0%)

Today I have...

View Answers

wrote
3 (60.0%)

edited
1 (20.0%)

posted
0 (0.0%)

researched
2 (40.0%)

will explain in comments
1 (20.0%)

Discussion Topic!!

So you've joined a new fandom which your beta didn't follow you into or your old beta has moved to a different fandom, how do you go about finding a new one? I've run the gamut of blanket asking my friendslist, asking in comms, PM'ing people, even dragging in non-fannish friends for a read-through. Nothing has a super-successful success rate, unfortunately. It's always hard work finding a new one. Anything that works for you that you would like to share?

Comments

[rhi]

Figured out a short fic and the scenes for it while running errands. That's up next, after a workout.

[sperrywink]

I hope the scene came along nicely! It's nice when things fall into place before you start writing.

[rhi]

::laughing:: 1500 words later, I need to write the closing scene and rewrite the fight. Fun!

[sperrywink]

Sweeeeet!! That's what I like to hear!! Go you!!

[ladygriddlebone]

I am finally getting back into a writing groove, after a few weeks where it was agony to get even a hundred words written. Unfortunately, most of what I'm writing is for future chapters of my main WIP, not for the chapter that needs to be finished and posted next. But I've also made good progress on a fic that's due at the end of the month, so I'm pretty pleased about that (now I just need to finish the damn thing).

I have no idea how to find or get a beta. I attempted to use a beta once many years ago, with disastrous results. The first time my beta responded to me, the only comment was that I "use too many semi colons". That was it. The beta failed to respond at all when I made corrections, and then when I posted the next chapter of the WIP they were supposed to be beta-reading (after waiting over a month with no response), they proceeded to nitpick everything on my reviews page - after I'd given them ample opportunity to give me feedback and suggest corrections. Now if I ever feel like something needs a second opinion, I ask a friend to read it over for me before I post it. I'll probably never use a "real" beta reader again.

I have, however, had several people approach me on ff.net to beta read stories for them or bounce ideas around with them (despite the fact that I'm not listed as a beta reader and my profile gives no hint that I'd be interested in doing such), and that's typically worked out pretty well. I guess I should say I feel like it's worked out pretty well. I have no idea what the people I help out think, but they keep coming back so I suppose that's a good sign. I guess my point is, although it can turn out badly, sometimes it doesn't hurt to ask some random person from your fandom/ship if they'd be willing to help you out. That's the best advice I can offer about betas.

[sperrywink]

You should be pleased! That sounds like a lot of progress and I'm sure the current chapter will come together soon.

Ouch. That is a horrible beta experience. I wish things had gone better for you. I've had unhelpful betas, but none that were so passive-aggressive and cluttered up my reviews with critique after the fact.

That is sweet of you to help out other people, though!

[lielac]

Written 142 words on Hotheaded and started in on (to the tune of 130 words) a oneshot induced by finding out Matoro apparently has a good singing voice (EEEEEEEEE excuse me while I fangirl). Also some editing of the Tacky Takua Chronicles and finding out where all my plot holes are by asking people about Av-Matoran...

I don't do betaing, on either side, so I can't give you any answers. Sorry! :(

[sperrywink]

Go you!! Sounds like you had a good day of writing and editing! Fangirl away! It's always great seeing someone excited. *g*

[sperrywink]

Go you!! I love bingo squares! I am trying to do a bingo square for Cotton Candy, but it just won't stay short.

Very true. You do just have to put yourself out there and hope for the best.

[linaewen]

I continue to be too busy as well as a bad manager of my time, so I haven't accomplished anything new for awhile. I'm going to try to change that today with some concentrated effort before I have to go to work.

Discussion -- I haven't exactly run into this problem, though I did have a beta early on in my writing career who basically got too busy to be helpful to me. But about that time I felt confident enough with my writing that I didn't really need a beta. I still have a couple of people I sometimes show my work to and they'll let me know if I missed some spelling or used the same word too many times or if my character's voice sounds right. I have one beta-type person who is also a writer and she will read anything I send her, even if she doesn't have a clue about the fandom. In any case, I always have my son who will happily critique my writing (and he's got a good eye!); we are fans of the same things, so I can pretty much share anything with him.

It's sometimes helpful to have someone betaing who is not familiar with the fandom; they can see the writing for itself and not get caught up in the "fan" thing, if you know what I mean.

[sperrywink]

Good luck and sending good vibes your way for a productive day!!

Being busy is always a struggle for me. I have a hard time switching into creative mode if I am too busy.

Sounds like you are well situated with help! That's awesome.

It is sometimes, particularly when fanon runs rampant in your fandom of choice.