Looking for a beta

[noiproksa.livejournal.com]

I'm writing lots of oneshots lately and that's why I thought I could use a beta, because I don't feel too comfortable posting without one.
I'm writing Neal & Peter friendship fics, often but not always h/c and/or fluff, and my oneshots are usually 1.000 to 5.000 words long.

What's most important to me is honesty. I'm insecure enough about posting as is, so I would absolutely love a beta who could honestly tell me if a fic is not that good and that I should better not post it. (And I promise not to take it personally in return!)
I know that that's difficult, because betas usually *always* say it's good and should be posted because they don't want to hurt the author's feelings, but that's why I'm only taking betas seriously who've told me, “Nope, better keep this one to yourself!” before. (Makes me believe you when you say a fic is good, because I know you'd tell me if it wasn't.)

And since English is not my mother tongue, there might be the occasional grammar mistake. That's why my other condition is that English has to be your mother tongue.

I'm looking for someone I could ask to beta occasionally, so this is more of a general beta request. But at the moment, one story is finished, so if you only have time for one, I'd also be happy to have a beta for this one fic at least. It's an emotional h/c one, about 2.500 words long – and as always a Neal & Peter friendship fic, with Neal as the whumpee (as always in my fics, because I prefer Neal!whump and Peter as the one doing the comforting).

If there's anyone who could help me out, please feel free to send me a PM and I'll tell you my email address (or better yet, you tell me yours so that I can send you the fic in question).

Comments

[turtlebaby-02.livejournal.com]

I would love to beta for you. I've got very little beta-ing experience however and regularly neglect to use one for myself. lol

I'm not very detail oriented - and as a result punctuation likes to get away from me (I have a comma addiction.) but I know the difference between too, to, and two (and the like.) English is my first and only language (and yours is amazing, I'd never guess it wasn't your first language!).

I don't think I'd have an issue telling you if something wasn't good. I know how important that honest feedback is, even when it's hard to hear. Sometimes getting things to flow takes that outside person telling you WHY. lol

Anyway, let me know. :)

[sinfulslasher]

Just wanted to quickly comment that, in my 15+ years of fandom experience, I have found that native speakers are not necessarily more knowledgeable in SPAG than people who are fluent in English but have learned the language later on.

In fact, it seems to be a common misconception that badly written stories "must be" by an ESL author when, more often than not, said author is a native speaker.

Every beta has their strengths and weaknesses (from grammar to characterization) so maybe make the most of it and grab not just one beta reader but two or three? To cover all bases, so to speak? :)

Either way, I'm thrilled to see you want to write (and post!) more in future. :D

[noiproksa.livejournal.com]

Just sent you a PM. :)