Beta help?

[westernredcedar]

Umm...feeling my newbie status...
By this evening, I should have a draft of my 

lupin_snape Dark Side fic and I need a beta. I do not have a regular beta and have only ever used a beta once before. Eeep. Can anyone advise me on the best way to find a beta here? I saw the big list of betas, but don't know who to contact first, etc. 
The fic is about 4,000 words. Angst, violence. Hard R.
I'd really appreciate any help in overcoming my sad ignorance on the matter.

Thanks!

 

Comments

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Oh my, feeling thrilled with your generosity. I don't want to be abusive with your kindness...is having both you and nehalenia look at it too selfish? I'd love that!
And thanks for the general suggestions too. *loving it here*

[chiralove.livejournal.com]

Not at all. :)

Everybody's approach to the whole beta thing differs a bit, I think, and there's certainly a thing as too much beta (if you can't comfortably compile all the comments into a cohesive whole, that would be a problem) but two betas aren't excessive for a 4000 word fic. I usually base my beta-needs on length - anything 500 words or less goes without, anything 5000 words or less gets 1 or 2, and anything longer than that ... well, as much help as I can get. But as I said, everyone does this differently. :)

You'll probably find too that certain fics need different things from betas, and that certain betas are better at different things. Don't stress about it too much ... write a lot, try a lot of different betas, you'll soon see what works best for you personally.

I'm not sure if hp_mentoring is still matching up new writers with mentors, but you might want to check them out ... the mentors there will usually beta and answer questions and just generally help you out. Or else feel free to flail around fandom having fun and making friends and getting your questions answered in a less structured sort of way. Or both. I'm a little wishy-washy today but I'm sure it'll go away after I have some coffee ... :)

Anyhow, send the story whenever you like ... good luck with your writing and etc., and feel free to poke me if you have any other questions. I don't bite! :)

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Poke poke.
Thank you again, and I will send it your way, probably on the late side this evening.
In life, I usually do best flailing around making things work in my own weird way, but I will check out the mentor idea too...who knows?
Hope you had your coffee, I think at this point in the day I need a third cup. *feels the shame*
I'm so appreciative of your advice. Talk to you soon. :)

[chiralove.livejournal.com]

Coffee ... noooo. Someone else took the last cup and I was too lazy to make more, so only one cup for me today. I can feel the coherency, just out of my reach ...

Err ... yeah. I'm totally not a crazy caffeine addict, you know?

Feel free to flail in this general direction if you have questions. :)