McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Beta Reader Services
THE_ANGRY_GAMER:
--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on January 07, 2013, 05:23:45 PM ---If you're fortunate enough to find one of those, marry them.
--- End quote ---
Given that th one I plan to hand my manuscript to is a teacher, that could become awkward :P.
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: THE_ANGRY_GAMER on January 08, 2013, 08:41:55 AM ---Given that th one I plan to hand my manuscript to is a teacher, that could become awkward :P.
--- End quote ---
Fair point; also, in almost all jurisdictions it's not really possible to marry more than one of your betas, so I can see there being a bit of a dilemma there if you happen to get fortunate in finding more than one good one.
Don:
--- Quote from: Blaze on January 06, 2013, 03:49:39 AM ---http://www.freelancer.com/ Has been recommended as a good place to get editing at a good price. Although I have not used it personally, I do believe that OnlyElise has done work there. Perhaps she has insights?
--- End quote ---
I'll check it out, thanks.
--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on January 07, 2013, 05:23:45 PM ---In an ideal world, the best possible option is to find a writer who is enough better than you to be able to show you how to usefully improve, but not so very much better than you that you can't make head or tail of their insights because you're not that good yet, who is willing to look at your stuff and give feedback.
If you're fortunate enough to find one of those, marry them.
--- End quote ---
That's why I feel that my commentary is not entirely useless, but I'm just someone who reads a lot. I don't write. While I pay attention and have actually taken the time to try to understand the nuts and bolts, he's the one who actually put his caboose in a chair and put together 60,000 words of serviceable copy.
So this guy doesn't have that ideal situation to take advantage of...
--- Quote from: Snowleopard on January 04, 2013, 09:00:14 AM ---Can your friend take criticism - that's a big thing.
Some aspiring writers claim to want it and then get uber-defensive
when they get it.
--- End quote ---
That's what he's looking for, I think. And the good part about my position relative to his is that he can disregard my criticisms at will.
---
Thanks, all.. This has been helpful
Spot:
--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on January 07, 2013, 05:23:45 PM ---In an ideal world, the best possible option is to find a writer who is enough better than you to be able to show you how to usefully improve, but not so very much better than you that you can't make head or tail of their insights because you're not that good yet, who is willing to look at your stuff and give feedback.
If you're fortunate enough to find one of those, marry them.
--- End quote ---
Done. (No, seriously.)
--- Quote from: Snowleopard on January 05, 2013, 01:53:28 AM ---You have my sympathies on this Spot. Dealing with a family member is always tricky.
Frankly I'd hand it back to him or her and say - if you won't listen to my criticisms then go find
yourself a good paid for beta. (The more brutally honest the better.)
Odds are though that this person WILL NOT listen to criticism from anyone - family member or professional. I've met that type.
Plead being too busy with work and give it back to them. You DO NOT need the heartache.
A family member will expect you to LOVE their work and to make it all neat and pretty for them
without paying you, and taking up your valuable free time, and blame you when their crap doesn't
sell or gets shredded by some reader.
I've got an idea - tell them about self-publishing - and still use the work defense to get out of doing
anything with the manuscript.
(Maybe you could accidentally, on purpose, let it fall into Mocha's litter box?) ::) ::)
--- End quote ---
I've considered having the manuscript fall into her litter box. However, she's a discerning kitty and may not use the litter box after that. ;) I'm already claiming the "busy at work" defense. We'll see how long I can keep it up. Eventually though, I'm going to have to fob them off on a paid editor.
Edit to fix a boo-boo.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[*] Previous page
Go to full version