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Wow I actually made up a beta application at one point guys
I went digging through my files for a potential TEF!tfr post to share but wound up stumbling upon something I had almost completely forgotten existed.
This thing is from 2004. I remember what was going on back then! ... I think. Yes! I had just finished Swordplay and was sort of thinking I was really going to get back into the swing of this writing thing! And then I got all excited! Like, "Hm! If I start writing a whole bunch, I might need a second beta!" And then I was all, "You know what I should do? I should make a beta application."
Let me 'splain. At the time I was heavy into lurking in the HP fandom, like 10,000% lurking, you guys. And one of the more prominent websites was big enough to have a beta list resource (!!!) and it had an actual beta application that you would have to fill out in order to qualify for the list. I thought, 'Damn, that's a great idea. I should do that!'
Well, I went through 75% of the rigmarole necessary to put an application together, then decided against it, because I realized the PpG fandom simply isn't big enough to pool resources like that (pft, what was I thinking) and I was better off just asking who would be available. And - luckily, for me - it worked out fantastically :)
(In the interest of full disclosure this application was largely inspired by the original beta application for the now-defunct Veela, Inc. website.)
Note: I originally was going to provide two segments to beta - one very poorly written one, and another decent segment of writing. Well, I gave up on this app before I got the decent segment down. But I hope the poorly written one amuses you!
---
So, all ye of the interested party… I’m in the business for a second beta. Currently beta’ing for me is cagalli-chan, formerly wingzero, but he could use a hand here and there. Plus, it always helps to get more than one opinion on your work :)
What I’m looking for in a beta.
Basically, I’m looking for a beta who “does it all.”
I want you to check for spelling and grammar errors (though the latter may be twisted occasionally for creative purposes). When I say spelling and grammar, by the way, I mean excellent spelling and grammar. You really need to know the difference between “your” and “you’re,” and “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” I mean, I don’t usually have a problem with this difference, but I’m trying to gauge your editing ability.
I want you to be a polite hard ass. Meaning, basically, that I want to hear something constructive regarding what I may send you. If something doesn’t make sense, seems contradictory, or just doesn’t fly, I want you to let me know. Don’t hold back because you’re afraid you’ll hurt my feelings; I assure you, I can take it ;)
A fair knowledge of canon is highly commendable. My primary fandom is (obviously) The Powerpuff Girls, but I’ve got a few Teen Titans fics under my belt too, and other stories are bound to pop in my head sooner or later.
You need to know how to construct a story—or, if the story is done in a style that defies normal story construction, be able to tell me how it works and how it doesn’t.
What to expect.
If you’re filling one of these out, you should be aware of what I typically write, AHEM. If you cannot
a)stomach shipfic, or
b)suspend disbelief long enough to stomach it,
then you probably don’t want the job. Boys and girls (and boys and boys and girls and girls) get together in my fic! I’m a shipper! Please deal.
Also, I do write very mature fic at times. As in, NOT G-RATED. Sometimes it’s perverted humor, sometimes it’s just perverted, and sometimes it’s perverted in a creepy way. Know what you’re getting into. I don’t write a ton of (almost!)sexfic, but that doesn’t mean I never write it.
Stemming off of that, you might need to be an open minded person. With some of the ideas I have now, I won’t always pair the most “obvious” couple together. Blossom will not always WUUUUV Brick, and Robin will not always WUUUUV Starfire. Couples aren’t written in stone when it comes to me, though I certainly do have my favorites :)
What you’ll do if you get the job.
Um, basically all of the above! In addition to that, it is almost imperative you have AIM. I’ve found that it’s a much better vehicle for communicating about fics, and highly preferable over regular ol’ e-mail. Insta-feedback is always a good thing for either end. Setting AIM meetings (consisting of me, cagalli-chan, and thy future self) will be made via e-mail.
Simple shyte, right? Now fill out the form, copy-paste, and send it over to ******* with “Beta App” as the subject.
Form Begins Here! That Means Start Copy-Pasting From This Line of Text, Please and Thank You.
Name/Internet Handle:
Age:
E-mail Address:
Why do you want to beta for me? Seriously.
POP QUIZ! Beta the following two bits!
Butch went to Bcs school teh next day b/c he wanted to see her, he knew it is wrong but from the moment he saw her he wanted to be her boyfriend.
Suddenly he saw her and got all red because she looked rilly pretty!!! He though her hair curl was cute and she had pretty eyes that he could get lost in because they were so pretty. She was talking with her pink sister and laughing saying “ok yeah I do thing Butch is cute!”
He cant believ it, he turned even redder!!!!!! She thinks I am cute, he thinks, and his hart sure was beating fast like his chest would blow up. Suddenly he stopped grinning and became sad. What if she doesn’t think he’s smart enough for her? After all she was a good guy and he was a bad guy.
Suddenly he saw her look at him and he was red again but so was she !!! he decided to make the first move
“Hi Bc”he said. Buttercup said “hi Butch bubbles lookd and them smiled and left the two alone.
---
I don't remember how it felt to write that segment but it probably hurt my brain at the time. Now it's just hilarious!
Ultimately, I think I speak for all of us when I say WOW AIM, REMEMBER THAT?
This thing is from 2004. I remember what was going on back then! ... I think. Yes! I had just finished Swordplay and was sort of thinking I was really going to get back into the swing of this writing thing! And then I got all excited! Like, "Hm! If I start writing a whole bunch, I might need a second beta!" And then I was all, "You know what I should do? I should make a beta application."
Let me 'splain. At the time I was heavy into lurking in the HP fandom, like 10,000% lurking, you guys. And one of the more prominent websites was big enough to have a beta list resource (!!!) and it had an actual beta application that you would have to fill out in order to qualify for the list. I thought, 'Damn, that's a great idea. I should do that!'
Well, I went through 75% of the rigmarole necessary to put an application together, then decided against it, because I realized the PpG fandom simply isn't big enough to pool resources like that (pft, what was I thinking) and I was better off just asking who would be available. And - luckily, for me - it worked out fantastically :)
(In the interest of full disclosure this application was largely inspired by the original beta application for the now-defunct Veela, Inc. website.)
Note: I originally was going to provide two segments to beta - one very poorly written one, and another decent segment of writing. Well, I gave up on this app before I got the decent segment down. But I hope the poorly written one amuses you!
---
So, all ye of the interested party… I’m in the business for a second beta. Currently beta’ing for me is cagalli-chan, formerly wingzero, but he could use a hand here and there. Plus, it always helps to get more than one opinion on your work :)
What I’m looking for in a beta.
Basically, I’m looking for a beta who “does it all.”
I want you to check for spelling and grammar errors (though the latter may be twisted occasionally for creative purposes). When I say spelling and grammar, by the way, I mean excellent spelling and grammar. You really need to know the difference between “your” and “you’re,” and “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” I mean, I don’t usually have a problem with this difference, but I’m trying to gauge your editing ability.
I want you to be a polite hard ass. Meaning, basically, that I want to hear something constructive regarding what I may send you. If something doesn’t make sense, seems contradictory, or just doesn’t fly, I want you to let me know. Don’t hold back because you’re afraid you’ll hurt my feelings; I assure you, I can take it ;)
A fair knowledge of canon is highly commendable. My primary fandom is (obviously) The Powerpuff Girls, but I’ve got a few Teen Titans fics under my belt too, and other stories are bound to pop in my head sooner or later.
You need to know how to construct a story—or, if the story is done in a style that defies normal story construction, be able to tell me how it works and how it doesn’t.
What to expect.
If you’re filling one of these out, you should be aware of what I typically write, AHEM. If you cannot
a)stomach shipfic, or
b)suspend disbelief long enough to stomach it,
then you probably don’t want the job. Boys and girls (and boys and boys and girls and girls) get together in my fic! I’m a shipper! Please deal.
Also, I do write very mature fic at times. As in, NOT G-RATED. Sometimes it’s perverted humor, sometimes it’s just perverted, and sometimes it’s perverted in a creepy way. Know what you’re getting into. I don’t write a ton of (almost!)sexfic, but that doesn’t mean I never write it.
Stemming off of that, you might need to be an open minded person. With some of the ideas I have now, I won’t always pair the most “obvious” couple together. Blossom will not always WUUUUV Brick, and Robin will not always WUUUUV Starfire. Couples aren’t written in stone when it comes to me, though I certainly do have my favorites :)
What you’ll do if you get the job.
Um, basically all of the above! In addition to that, it is almost imperative you have AIM. I’ve found that it’s a much better vehicle for communicating about fics, and highly preferable over regular ol’ e-mail. Insta-feedback is always a good thing for either end. Setting AIM meetings (consisting of me, cagalli-chan, and thy future self) will be made via e-mail.
Simple shyte, right? Now fill out the form, copy-paste, and send it over to ******* with “Beta App” as the subject.
Form Begins Here! That Means Start Copy-Pasting From This Line of Text, Please and Thank You.
Name/Internet Handle:
Age:
E-mail Address:
Why do you want to beta for me? Seriously.
POP QUIZ! Beta the following two bits!
Suddenly he saw her and got all red because she looked rilly pretty!!! He though her hair curl was cute and she had pretty eyes that he could get lost in because they were so pretty. She was talking with her pink sister and laughing saying “ok yeah I do thing Butch is cute!”
He cant believ it, he turned even redder!!!!!! She thinks I am cute, he thinks, and his hart sure was beating fast like his chest would blow up. Suddenly he stopped grinning and became sad. What if she doesn’t think he’s smart enough for her? After all she was a good guy and he was a bad guy.
Suddenly he saw her look at him and he was red again but so was she !!! he decided to make the first move
“Hi Bc”he said. Buttercup said “hi Butch bubbles lookd and them smiled and left the two alone.
---
I don't remember how it felt to write that segment but it probably hurt my brain at the time. Now it's just hilarious!
Ultimately, I think I speak for all of us when I say WOW AIM, REMEMBER THAT?