Aladdin Central Messageboard

[LadyApocalymon]

My apologies if this question belongs in the sticky "Betas/Editors" thread.

For those of you who write fan fiction, I ask you - On large projects, is it customary to acquire a beta reader or editor during or after the piece's completion? I would assume that one simply writes the story and then finds someone to critique it afterwards, but that would be a lot of work on anything but a one-shot or short story. Is this a matter of personal preference, or is one method better than the other? (My only experience on the subject is with peer critiquing groups in creative writing courses.)
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[xfkirsten]

I've always been a fan of betas - it gives you a good , unbiased, honest look at your work.
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I don't need intelligent drugs, because I don't know what they are. But I will put anything into my mouth that is given to me, whether it's supposed to go there or not. Because... I'm different.

[LadyApocalymon]

I agree - I'm just asking when I ought to get one. Before I finish the story, or after?
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[xfkirsten]

Well, I'd always finish a rough draft and then proofread it myself a few times through first. Just makes their job a bit easier.
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I don't need intelligent drugs, because I don't know what they are. But I will put anything into my mouth that is given to me, whether it's supposed to go there or not. Because... I'm different.

[LadyApocalymon]

Thanks! *grins and gives thumbs-up* Just what I wanted to hear, incidentally.
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[Calluna]

I've seen people do it either way. If you want someone to beta for plot/characterization as well as spelling and grammar, you should probably do it a bit at a time if you don't want to maybe have to rewrite huge portions...
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"If only I could believe you. Perhaps I can! After all... you do bear the name of a flower." -- Arbutus