Discussion: Beta Writing

[embolalia.livejournal.com]

Earlier in the week, several people expressed interest in talking about beta writing and the writing process, so I thought we'd discuss it! (Admittedly this is a less pilots-centric discussion than some, but feel free to post pics or gifs of pilots if you think they're feeling left out :)


Kara says sometimes this writing shit is hard!

Some questions to start out:

• Betas, what kinds of stories do you like to work on? How do you approach the process, and what helps it go well?
• Writers, how do you find a beta to work with? What type of feedback is most helpful to you as you craft a story? How much does a good beta influence the final product?
• Readers, does knowing something's been beta-ed affect whether you'll read it?

If you're not familiar with the beta process, feel free to ask other questions as well! 

***

In case you missed any of  this week's ficlets, check them out below! 

Dares:
Out of Gas by word_vomity [PG-13]
Lesson One by word_vomity [PG]
Saved by the Bell by word_vomity [PG-13]
Fooling Around by kl_shipper1 [PG]
Flirtation by embolalia [PG-13]
Gone by embolalia [PG]
Through the Storm by embolalia [PG]

Tropes:
Only One Bed by embolalia [PG-13]

Comments

[word-vomity.livejournal.com]

Betas - I've never beta-ed anything for anyone. Not that I wouldn't be willing to. But, to be honest, I don't know that I'd be any use to anyone. I would try very hard though! Let the record show.

Writers - As a writer, I've never used a beta before the story I'm working on now. Basically because, as Ray explained today, I wouldn't wish myself on anyone. But embolia has been kind enough to look over a story on mine and has been quite helpful with pointing out the many things that fly right over my head. I'll often make connections in my head for a story that I never bother to explain to the readers. Like I expect them to be living in my head with me. So having someone to say, 'Um hey doofus, you need to connect A & B for this to make ANY sense,' is a serious plus.

As a reader, knowing that a story has been beta-ed gives it a level of street cred in my brain like if someone told me that my French teacher was actually from France or something. Not like I wouldn't pay attention in class in she was from say, Belgium, but there's a 'oh fancy!' instinct that really drives it home. (it's not a perfect analogy, ok?)But, that said, I've never not read something because it wasn't beta-ed.

All in all, I"m fairly certain that my stance is . . . beta's good. *nods* And I should take advantage of their keen eyes more.

[embolalia.livejournal.com]

Yay! Looking forward to reading draft 2 :)

[rirenec.livejournal.com]

*Hugs you* Your work is awesome, and yay for writing! And Em is an AMAZING beta!

[winegums.livejournal.com]

As a reader, knowing that a story has been beta-ed gives it a level of street cred in my brain

YES. I mean, it's possible for beta-ed fics to suck too, but not in this fandom, people just bring their A game all the time.

[embolalia.livejournal.com]

I tend to only use betas for gift exchanges or ficathons - times when betaed work is specifically requested. Other than that I mostly write things and post them in one sitting, and I'm just not patient enough for a beta :)

I try to send things off with questions; I trust my word choice and grammar (though I'm not immune to typos!) but there are often scenes or themes that I want to make sure work for a reader as well as they work in my head.

My great love to all of you who've betaed for me!

[kdbleu.livejournal.com]

As a beta - I'll pretty much take all comers. I enjoy editing which I had kind of forgotten in the years I was writing for and by myself.

What I like as a beta is to know what my writer needs from me. Most writers know what they don't write well, and they know where they're having trouble in a particular story. I was taught years ago that as a writer you're not supposed to tell anyone where you think your weaknesses are, because those things could be working, but I've come to think that if a writer has insecurities they're not going to be happy with their finished product until those fears have been put to rest. And that can be a big part of the beta's job.


As a writer - I love that having a beta (and I do keep one on retainer *waves to sci_fi_shipper) means I don't have write by myself. If I'm feeling insecure about a story or my particular writing quirks are taking over, I have someone who's there for me. :)


As both a writer and a beta - having someone to throw ideas back and forth with so, not just helpful but inspirational. But I think that's the part of the relationship, going both ways, that's hard too because it's so built on trust and how well you just click with how the other person works and thinks. I am eternally grateful to have such a relationship.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

I've beta-ed in another fandom, but never for BSG. When I was a beta, my job was generally sounding board/typo catcher - what really makes the process go smoothly is when the author knows what they're going to do with a story/has a decent handle on the characters, and is secure enough not to mind being questioned on the nitty-gritties.

I've never had a beta for my BSG fic (they're mostly flashfic typed out in like twenty minutes anyway) but I'd really love to have one when I get around to writing the multi-chapter fic i have planned. Issues with structure and what not are harder to work through if I'm on my own.

BETA SQUEE!

[rirenec.livejournal.com]

I never used to use a beta, for as N said above, I could never before bring myself to inflict my stuff on people. But then I started entering challenges, where it was a requirement, and the lovely, wonderful, Mserrada, whom I beta for, was my first. M was fantastic; pointing out the bits where early on in the story I'd suggested something, but then later seemed to be going off point - i.e. the kind of thing that makes sense as a writer, but leaves a reader thinking, huh? She was also fab in pointing out paragraphs and sentences which sounded off, giving me suggestions on how she might have gone about them.

Em (hugs you) has since beta'd a couple of my fics; and she's just as brilliant. Posing questions while giving suggestions on where things could be expanded/intensified, this while also clearing up my pointless over use of the word 'had' and my fondness for gerunds - something which has improved my writing so so much in. (TTTHHHAANNKK YYYOOOU, EEEMM!) I spot 90% of these kind of errs on my own now, so Em’s help has actually made me a better writer.

The awesome, Wicked_Sassy, has been the latest wonder to weave her magic around my work, and the approach she took was similar. Carefully, she shifted out where I had over described things and also gave me her suggestions on how to rephrase certain sentences so the meaning was clearer. Her eye for flow and swapping clauses around is such an amazing skill.

To all of you who have beta'd my work, you were/are amazing, for not only did you do the above, but you also gave me such encouragement over the stories themselves. You made me a million times more confident, and for that, I can NEVER thank you enough. Nor for the fact that you took coal and made them, well not exactly into diamonds--this is my fic--but at least pretty fire! ;)

[Apologies if this is garbled. Very tired.]

[justascrewup2.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say thank you for the links to the fics. This is about the only way that I read them and they're such lovely creations that they deserve the love too :)