All things beta

[stgulik]

I'm in the process of beta'ing a third piece for the sshg_promptfest. All of them have been/are terrific. You people are in for a very good fest, if these three are any indication!

As for me, my piece is done and has been farmed out. I'll send it in with time to spare. Nice to be on time! If only I could learn this trick when I write for my job.

I am at that low point in the fanfic writing process where, whenever I think about my piece, I shake my head, my shoulders hunch and my eyebrows go all whooshy. When I get to this low point, I reassure myself of my minimum standards: 1) I had fun writing it, and 2) I believe it meets the prompter's requirements. Anything more will be gravy.

This month, I resigned my post as validator at Hawthorn and Vine. After two years (or was it more?), I feel I learned everything I set out to learn. It's time to give over my evenings to family activities. It was a very interesting time, and the other volunteer staff are awesome. If you ever want to read or write a Dramione, I encourage you to head over there.

Comments

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Oh ye of little faith in yerself. What you need is to immediately start on another story. Write a GS100 piece or two. Pick up the reigns of that beautiful Cinderella story you started. Remind yourself that you are a good writer!

On behalf of writers everywhere, thank you for your work at H&V. I know you had some great moments there, and the writers there should be so grateful that such a talented person was there to steer them in the right direction. When I was a green fanfic writer just starting out, the gentle and patient encouragement of the validators at Ash and TPP helped me to grow and find confidence to continue, and I know the authors at H&V benefitted from your guidance.

And thank you, thank you, for being such an incredible editor and beta. You are the best, and I love you to bits for being my friend.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

The thing I wanted to do was be a kind influence and helpful resource for the virgin (heh) fanfic writers just starting out. For the most part, I think I was. I'll keep helping in this vein if writers want me to, just not on H&V.

And thank you for your lovely friendship these last few years. I've gotten so much out of knowing you. Except ... Cinderella story??

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

You know what would be funny? If I listed all my WIPs here in a survey, using four-word descriptions. People would vote on which one they would want me to push through and finish. The funny part would be if I left off the ship, the genre and other important things. "Hong Kong mafia trap" "Group therapy framed drug-trafficker" and "Head Boy/Girl eugenics program"

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I personally think it's a marvelous idea.

[tychesong.livejournal.com]

I really want to like this post as I would on facebook but there is no "Like" button. X-D

Please do this. It's an awesome idea.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

I was just kidding. It sounds so self-absorbed!

[delphipsmith]

What's a validator?

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Oh! A validator reads submissions and checks them for formatting and SPaG. A few errors are merely corrected; a lot of errors, and the validator turns the submission back to the author with requests for correction.

[delphipsmith]

Ah, so like a "gentle beta" :)