[ SECRET POST #5029 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #5029 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 28 secrets from Secret Submission Post #719.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 1 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

Re: Looking for writing/editing advice

[(Anonymous)]

I am one of those betas who does freelance editing for published writers and I charge for my work. That said - I edit friends' work for free, and they do the same for mine. It's not easy finding a good (and free) beta, but it's not impossible. Unfortunately, it takes time and effort to cultivate relationships like that. I sort of stumbled across my betas - our friendships began in fandom (but we were all people who wrote original fiction) and even after we all drifted away from fandom, the friendships have lasted well over a decade.

I'd recommend reading a lot, not just for enjoyment but with a critical eye. What do you want to improve about your own writing? Look for that in the things you read, look for people whose writing skills are strong in areas that you're most interested in. Likewise, find people whose writing style, subject, etc. are a good match with your own. Put your own writing out there and let it be known that you're open to constructive criticism. If/when you receive it, be gracious about the concrit regardless of whether or not you agree. You don't have to take every beta's advice or agree with their feedback, but in those cases, a polite thank you for their time would be good. Then you move on and keep looking for feedback that clicks with you - you look for that person whose advice you read and think, "Oh, my god YES, that's it exactly!"

Good luck.

Re: Looking for writing/editing advice

[(Anonymous)]

If/when you receive it, be gracious about the concrit regardless of whether or not you agree. You don't have to take every beta's advice or agree with their feedback, but in those cases, a polite thank you for their time would be good.

Wise words, OP. I relentlessly strike people off the list of those I'll beta for because an high proportion of them don't even bother to say thanks. Rude bastards. That's hours of my time and energy I can't spare, gone for good.

If you can't strike up a good relationship with a beta, by beta-reading for them, being polite and friendly, etc etc (and this is difficult, I know, I was damn lucky with mine) - write, write, write. That was Ursula LeGuin's advice and it's good, though a pain. She said the way to learn the tuba is to get a tuba and some tuba music and to practice, possibly a long way from anyone else; but practice is the way to do it.

Re: Looking for writing/editing advice

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, and if you can join a writing group, either in person or online, that helps; you can get people picking up on different aspects of your work, though it takes time to build trust. Posting online if you'[re writing fanfic serves much the same function. Most of us are lucky if we get a smattering of comments but they all help.

Re: Looking for writing/editing advice

[(Anonymous)]

That's the minimum baseline, IMO. Even if I don't agree with everything my betas say, I always thank them profusely for their time and work because I know for a fact they've got plenty of other things to do. They're doing me a favor by agreeing to look at my writing and analyze it - which isn't a quick, easy job if it's done right.

Also agree that practice is key.