fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #5137 ]

[ SECRET POST #5137 ]

⌈ Secret Post #5137 ⌋

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

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 06 secrets from Secret Submission Post #735.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - 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.

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04. https://i.imgur.com/ntPWej7.jpg

I'm sure there are decent betas out there, but most of the ones I run across just want to read the fic early and get credit without actually contributing anything.

They don’t need to be geniuses. Sometimes I just need someone to tell me when to stop what I’m doing. (Quentin Tarantino has the same problem.)

DA

I've seen this too. Betas are hard enough to come by normally, good ones are almost impossible. I've also seen betas basically use the author to write what they want only, so it's not always a free ride either.

I don't think I've seen anyone suggest that betas are completely useless. Maybe I missed something. But it's really not what the arguments are generally about.

This!

I recall one or two comments that sort of implied this, because they'd had bad experiences with betas before. They didn't come out and say there was no such thing as a good beta, but they certainly acted as if there was no point to having one.

My beta made me a better writer, I didn't know that isn't usually the case

I don't get the connection between betas and someone who edits fic for personal enjoyment.

Are you saying betas that suggest edits according to their personal tastes are similar, or comparable to, people who take finished fic then edit it to their own tastes? I'd think the main difference there is in scenario 1, the beta is pressuring someone else (the author) to do the work they want (which may go against what the author wants), and in scenario 2, the one who edits is doing the work they want themselves?

No, me neither, those are two completely separate things!

I'm wary of betas because when they're good they're great but when they're bad they're awful. Some people get on a power high and try to turn a story into something completely different. Instead of just working with what's there and try to make it the best it can be.

Eh, each to ones own. I know that there are people who want their story to be as polished as can be and/or wants the mass attention from the fandom they write for - but I mostly write for myself and create stories that I want to read and am happy to re-read for myself; also I don't use a beta because I'm impatient lol. Once I'm finished and go over it twice with editing, I post it up straight away.

This, like the fics are the ones where the author writes for themselves.
I honestly hate this newer trend where fic writers just beg for comments that they think they deserve because they're writing for the masses instead of something that they're actually passionate about.

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Equating the relationship between a fic writer and the original text with the relationship between a beta reader and the fic they're beta-ing is a terrible comparison. If a beta is suggesting changes to a fic so that it better suits their taste, that's not good betaing.

A lot of people aren't really good editors, and a good beta is a good editor.

We've all read professional fiction and nonfiction that can really use an editor; aside from making an occasional mistake that we all can make, the writer rambles or ends a story in a way that's really abrupt or unsatisfying. A good beta will be able to be honest about these things in a tactful way, and also tell you what you're doing right.

Oh God, not this again. Can we get some new wank already?

Sure. What are you bringing to the table?

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(Anonymous) - 2021-01-29 09:14 (UTC) - Expand

(Cozy Werewolf Anon)

Like it really depends on how much you trust your beta and how well you communicate? If it's more of a collaborative process or not? Like, if you're a writer with a specific vision and aren't looking for development help then a beta that comes in and goes "I think you need to change the story" is being rude. Especially since this isn't English class and you aren't doing it for a grade.

If you're looking for ideas and want that type of help or have multiple ideas and need to figure out a way to go, then having a beta to ramble at with and be collaborative is a godsend. It requires a good relationship and a lot of trust.

So, I don't think the beta part of your statement is 100% accurate. Maybe the bit about personal fic editing? It would be rude to post that edited fic. Which I don't think anyone who has posted about personally editing fics has ever admitted to doing.

Because I do agree, writing fanfic in a way is editing a canon to make it more enjoyable for us and filling a need the canon left vacant. Some take it further than others. I know some/most fic writers wouldn't see it in that light at all.

I love my beta and am definitely a better writer because of them. I can't imagine posting something without getting critical feedback first from someone I trust.

This

I like the design here.

Not sure I get the point re Canon. Does OP mean that fic writers change canon so they should be ok with betas changing their fic?

Good point about seeking feedback and puting in extra work. I decided to do without beta. I'm fine with getting less feedback as don't enjoy getting reviews on my heavily betaed fics.

I like my co-athored fics. If someone gives ideas and writes parts or changes it, then this person is a co-author.

IA that there is a general hypocrisy in fandom re: we've stolen characters and worlds from the original creators and transform them but feel anything we create is sacrosanct and should not be taken and transformed by other fans. Why? This is why I have an open policy on my works.

But I admit I don't understand the connection bw, say, someone downloading and editing to fix someone's work to enjoy it for themselves and betaing. A beta is done specifically at the request of the creator, who either accepts or rejects the suggested edits. Betas are extremely useful but they are part of a collaborative creation process and not part of the same discussion as I see it.

This is how I feel as a fic writer who uses betas. I don’t know how I am as a writer. I certainly benefit from multiple drafts. My ride and die beta (my first beta, has been with me through multiple years/stories, best fandom friend) is great at spelling and grammar, but not that great with story critique. It’s great that she’s so supportive, but I want to know if my writing isn’t great or if something’s not working. Sometimes I feel it’s her personality (which is weird, cause she will throw down if she needs to) or if she’s just not that great at that kind of editing.

Like, I don’t expect her to reach me how to write better, but it would help if she could point me in the right direction when I need it.

I'm not writing for everyone, I'm writing for the people who will see my summary and go "oh, that sounds neat" and even then I'm not really fussed if they don't like it as long as they don't leave rude comments

Having as broad an audience as possible sounds terrible

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