Livejournal Questions

[lettered]

This actually has nothing to do with the recent drama.

I have a confession to make. I'm a genius. But I'm really tragically stupid also.


-how to put on a header. And why everyone can figure it out but me.
-what a DDoS attack is. Looked it up on Wikipedia. Still really don't understand.
-where everyone gets the equipment to do all the icons and everything they do. Seems to me that stuff costs a fortune.
-how to write short fanfic.
-who Rodney is.
-Henry Jenkins.
-GIP.
-how NOT to hotlink some images. I can do it if the image is in a format Photobucket will upload, otherwise I don't understand.
-how people keep up with their flists.
-how people keep up with stuff like which new cat macro is funniest.
-how anyone keeps up with anything.
-why seraphcelene can't be here RIGHT NOW, I dunno, making pie with me.
-how people find out people are talking about them when said people are not talking to them. It's not that I don't like gossip. It's that I don't understand it. I literally seem to have trouble paying attention to anything not aimed straight at me with a missile launcher.
-why I like Harry/Draco.
-flangst.
-how people not being able to post really isn't connected to the Great Strikethrough.
-how to play most online videos, or dl the equipment.
-birthdays.
-why I didn't find a plane ticket to NYC for an earlier day so I could watch DB with a2zmom.
-Spike.
-betas.
-most emoticons.
-who Jo is.
-what Due South is.


In other news, The Sound of Music in Sparta. (link courtesy imnotacommittee.)

Comments

[elisi]

Oh and I don't understand how you don't understand betas... *is confused*

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I don't understand how to...demand what I need out of a beta. This is a personal problem; I'm not very good at asking for favors for some things.

For betas who're excellent and give me all the kinds of crit I need, I don't understand how to demand more of their time. Particularly because I really only want to demand lots of someone's time if they're really really REALLY into the story. Personally I like to beta (I have no trouble understanding being a beta; I think I'm rather good at it). And once I had to beta for someone whose story left me seriously meh. I still beta'ed it and I still ENJOYED betaing, but because I like to beta, not because of the story. The idea of demanding all the time I feel I need and dumping all the stuff I would want to dump on someone who was not really really into the story for the sake of the story makes my skin crawl.

For betas who don't give me what I need as far as crit, I don't know how to get it through their heads. they do the spelling and grammar stuff. I say, what about content? And then they talk about word choice and sentence structure. And I say, okay, but what about the plot? And they say oh that's fine. Obviously, in this case, I need a new beta.

But I don't understand how to find new betas in new fandoms. Which is part of the bigger problem of finding a place at all in new fandoms, but WHATEVER, apparently I needed to get my whine on.

I'm through, now.

[elisi]

Aaaaah, I see. I'm very lucky, since when I first asked around for a beta, the wonderful kathyh volunteered and I've never wanted or needed another (except when she's been away of course, but that's different). Apart from just the grammar and spelling, she'll always pick up on all the places where I've not bothered to explain something properly, or given up, and usually has ideas and suggestions that are invaluable. And yes, it does often feel awkward to send a chapter round for the second time, but she really doesn't seem to mind - and is also good at saying if she's busy. I think we have found a good balance. Dunno what I'd do if I had to find someone else...

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Yes. I think some people stumble onto fabulous beta relationships and it just ...happens. I know a girl in another fandom I beta for, and we have a great relationship. I'm not writing in that fandom so she never beta'ed anything for me, but we seemed to really be on the same wavelength. Sometimes that just doesn't happen. I am so glad it happened for you!

I was lucky to stumble onto a2zmom, who was really my introduction to Buffyverse, but she's often busy and sometimes I want other opinions.

and is also good at saying if she's busy.

As a beta this is what I'm most sucktastic at. Sometimes I don't say no when I really should.

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

I don't do betas well either. I can get a friend to beta a short story, 3000 or so words. But I feel terribly guilty asking someone to beta something long. I did my online novel w/o a beta, and it could have badly used one, both for fine-tuning the wording and for continuity errors, which inevitably creep into a longer story. But of the two friends I wanted to ask, both were immersed in serious RL busyness, and I just couldn't bring myself to add to their stress.

I have beta'd for a few people, and I only enjoy it when I'm really immersed in the story, and when it's a story that I can emotionally relate to. I don't think I do that good a job at it, because I want to rewrite it so that it sounds like me.

Also, the 'shipping part trips me up. For instance, I just *suck* at beta'ing E/C Phantom stuff. Can't do it, because I can't wrap my head around it. I guess that's the difference between someone who's a dilettante (me) and someone who's really professional in their editing capabilities. Because the latter can obviously edit just about anything.

So the whole beta thing kind of gives me nervous hives.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

GUILT. THat's it exactly. I wonder how many feel as we do? I want to post about it now.

I love to beta, but then again I've only ever had that one bad experience and that was a long long time ago in a fandom that I didn't think was very friendly, anyway. I do have the problem of wanting to over-edit, but I try to make very clear what the story NEEDS and when it's just me wanting to strong arm my way in. So then I can still suggest changing it how I would want but hopefully the writer doesn't feel pressured.

I can wrap my head around almost any ship, but I bring my own baggage. For instance, I like E/C fine, but I would want the author to deal with all the issues I see there. Some of which the author does not want to touch on, and in fact, SHOULDN'T be touched on, in the fic they are trying to write. I have even read E/C semi-fluff, and rather enjoyed it, but yes, I'd have a hard time beta'ing it.

Thanks for sharing. I'm really glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[diachrony.livejournal.com]

THAT IS WHY I DON'T BETA.

Well, or very rarely, and then I demand they use someone else besides me ...

I say "I can copyedit and catch your typos and stuff, but otherwise I am useless."

I'll say stuff like "How did they get from standing up in this part of the room to sitting down in that other part?" and "They'd have to have three arms at once for this" and "But she hit her head and fell down, and nobody said or did anything, and then they all left ... Whut?"

That's about it for me.

I only keep up with my friends list because something like half of them don't post, or very rarely. I keep some folks on because they *used* to post some years ago and were good friends and I want to pick that up if they ever come back. (Plus I tend to let the comms & feeds wait around until I've caught up with personal journals, if ever.)

I never heard of "flangst." Must be friends-list angst, and I need to finish reading the comments to learn more ...

[tkp.livejournal.com]

That's interesting. The technical part of beta'ing is really really important. I'm terrific with grammar, but we can all be wrong, and everyone makes typos. Plus I am NOT so terrific at the three arms stuff and blocking in writing. But yeah, I want more, especially stuff like, "I don't think this part is important" and "I don't think she would say that" and "did you mean for the theme to be this? 'Cause that's what I'm seein'..."

I'm only now realizing that not everyone can do the latter. And it's not because they're not good thinkers or writers or anything at all to do with intelligence and overall capability. It's just some of us have different skills. I certainly can't critique dance.

because they *used* to post some years ago and were good friends and I want to pick that up if they ever come back.

I have one or two like that. I imagine there'll be more as time goes on. There are some people I could never bear to cut. I can't remember if I commented on the comment you left where you said you friended me; I meant to. I wanted to say I'm glad we're mutually friended now because I enjoy talking to you and enjoy/feel informed your posts. I'm always happy to meet someone new with whom I can talk a lot ;o)

I think flangst means fluffy angst, but who the hell knows.

[diachrony.livejournal.com]

Aw, you gave me a warm fuzzy. I'm so glad you enjoy talking to me. It's mutual!

I don't understand this "fluffy angst" thing (I did see that comment) ... leaves me befuddled. I might have to read something in the genre to see what it even means.

I could get my head around saying "I don't think so-and-so would ever say or do this" ... but this reminds me of another post you made some time back that I read when I was going through some of your links. About concrit. I am hesitant to give that kind of f/b because I would usually tend to think "who am I to impose my personal vision?" ... it's a fine line ... and, I don't want to offend anyone and have them not want to be my friend anymore. ::sniff::

But you remind me, I may be better at this than I think I am (esp. since I've so rarely exercised the beta muscle; it might have more potential than I've reached so far) ... there was a time or two when I pointed out to a writer or two in the midst of a story, "Buffy really doesn't behave or talk like that." And they both admitted I was right. So I guess I can point characterization errors out if I find them egregious enough.

(And if the writer isn't too character-hating to be willing to listen, of course.)

[tkp.livejournal.com]

post you made some time back that I read when I was going through some of your links. About concrit. I am hesitant to give that kind of f/b because I would usually tend to think "who am I to impose my personal vision?"

I agree, when it comes to concrit. But beta'ing is different. I think a beta should be someone who shares your views of the characters, or at least someone whose opinions of the characters you respect.

Because betaing is supposed to be about wanting that kind of criticism. However, I have seen people put themselves into situations for the purpose of getting critiqued, and then pouting when someone said something negative about their story (I'm thinking more of rl and original writing, now), but I'm not sure I would want to be friends with such people anyway.

So I guess I can point characterization errors out if I find them egregious enough.

Yeah, some people don't even seem to be aware of how completely OOC some things are! Or if they're aware they don't care. But the more subtle the characterization "error", the harder it is to identify. Because saying "Buffy wouldn't do such and such" is a huge generalization; she *might* if the circumstances were right. It has to be "Buffy wouldn't do such and such in these circumstance and with this history you've given her and in this state of mind, etc etc". And that can be very difficult to ponder sometimes! But it's stuff I like to think about.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

Now I feel all guilty.

When you get to NYC, one of the things we need to do is go to Central Park, find a cozy spot in Sheep's Meadow and do all of BS in one big swoop.

Assuming that's ok with you.

(And I do totally suck and I apologize. I haven't written a word on any of my pieces in two months. I think I should just have a nervous breakdown and be done with it all.)

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I hope you know I was not talking about you specifically here. Just, demanding time is an issue I've had with every *good* beta I've worked with. And a few bad ones I've worked with! And you're definitely among the best.

Anyway you shouldn't feel guilty. I UNDERSTAND. I understand RL getting in the way and not having time and just not feeling like it sometimes (I don't know if that happens with you but it's the main reason my beta-work often takes so long). It's just...I feel guilty back if I bug you. And I feel like I shouldn't feel guilty, because I should be able to ask, and *you* shouldn't feel guilty if (FOR ANY REASON) you say, "ZOMG not right now Joy!"--which I would be fine with and doesn't make you suck. But instead we're both left with guilt.

Anyway, a big reason besides guilt I rarely bug you about BS is I don't have anything written after what I sent you. Well, I had some, but it was on the laptop that got stolen and I only have half backed up. So I mean it's not like I've been waiting over here with bated breath or anything, so honestly, don't worry about it.

And that sounds awesome, I'd love to talk some BS, but again, it wouldn't be a big deal if we didn't. I do love ya for other reasons, you know ;o) I think I've mentioned before that I know what it feels like to have fannish obligation breathing down your neck, and I don't want you to feel that way. Fandom should be FUN, omg.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

I do feel guilty though, it's the whole Jew thing, lol. I also feel guilty that I have a whole bunch of fic I need to clean up so it can be posted. I need to learn Aaron's rules for a guilt free life.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I think I've mentioned before that I knew a Catholic who used to say her colossal guilt was a Catholic thing.

And a Virgo who said her colossal guilt was a Virgo thing.

I used to think my own colossal guilt was a me thing.

Good to know we're not alone, eh?

I feel guilty for making you feel guilty, if it's any consolation.

I AM INTERESTED TO SEE THIS FIC. But more interested in you not having a breakdown. You do what you need to, fandom will get by.