ci5_boxoftricks | Weekly check in post *waves hello*

Hi everyone. Time for the weekly check in and as usual I am jumping all around the place something my work colleagues are starting to find a little annoying *g* so I have slightly random post for you.

First, while I am sure everyone knows about this, I just wanted to link to the transcripts page over at The Hatstand. These are always a massive help to me when I am thinking about matching things up with the episodes.

Second I wanted to highlight the LJ comm

little_details which helps writers with the research and fact checking. Well worth looking through the old posts here as well as potentially posting as the comm is watched by a large number of LJ users.

Next some Tips to Increase Writing Productivity and Hints and Tips for Distraction Free Writing. This is something I desperately need as I keep letting myself get distracted by the phone, the TV, spring cleaning, staring at the wall, everything *hangs head in shame*.

And lastly a bit of fun, how about a couple title generators to help you think of a title for your story, Title-o-matic and Random Book Title Generator. Clicking a few times gave me the options of: Haze Moccasin, Crystalline Blue, Icewater Series, Snow in the Memory, Hard Consort, and Stray Dog Kiss. *grins*.

Anyway now is your chance to check in and let us know how you are getting on, ask any questions, tell us that the suggested title Haze Moccasin fits your work perfectly, and so on.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So, as of last night I was just shy of halfway. \o/

I've been inserting more bits around Bodie (Doyle's always been fine, if a little OOC; the story really came to life through his pov). And I haven't even really started the "conflict" part of the story. So I think 20,000 words will happen with only moderate angst.

Boy, is this ever going to need revising when I get through the first draft, though... :D

I think I'm not prepping for betaing, though. The person I've been talking to has been busy and I haven't heard from her recently. I think the more betas the better (at least three: two canon and one grammar), but finding a beta *is* a bit of an art. So I'm a little worried about getting feedback. (Plus there's lots of extreme RL drama right now, which might be leaking into the story, bleh.)

I might ask my flist for first readers (to just read the story through for "impact"), although only one or two have a passing knowledge of The Professionals. Some of them are really good writers.

Any other betas tips anyone can pass on?

Oooh just shy of halfway, that's brilliant! And I'd be happy to knock around ideas or do a first read or whatever if you think it would help :D

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

I think I will come find you in a bit, if you don't mind. Probably when I'm a little closer to The End, Version 1.0 (really 1.3).

That would be a huge help. :nods vigorously:

Just shy of halfway is seriously brilliant, I am very impressed and very jealous as well :D.

Thanks - but don't be jealous. Quality <> quantity (especially in this case).

Half way, woohoo! That's great.

Find a beta/editor who will give you honest, concise, detailed ideas and/or suggestions if you want a tough yet helpful beta. And be willing to read the advice even if you make a decision not to use it.

Thanks! For both the wishes and the advice.

A good beta / betaee relationship seems like a great way to *learn* - that's really what I want from this.

In my experience, for both fanfic and original fic, the main beta focus areas need to be consistency (of voice, as well as things like the car colour...), plot holes, awkward scenes, the need for explanations, Americanisms, anachronisms and, of course, grammar. Canon can be sorted via things like the Hatstand site and besides, if you don't have a really good grasp of episode detail you will be writing your own episode rather than trying to 'fill in gaps'. I think betas who aren't familiar with canon are fine because your story should be accessible to readers who also aren't experts. They can pick up on where you should add more explanation, something a fandom expert might miss. So - ask your f'list and then find a first reader who has some canon expertise just to make sure...

You know, I never thought of it in terms of lack of familiarity = seeing problems more easily. I think you have a really good point with that.

Hmmmm... And maybe I can convert some of my flist to the Pros side, to boot! :D

I beta'd three or four stories for a friend in Due South. I'd never seen an episode and she had me read because she felt if I could understand the story, then at least she had that part covered! I would assume when something happened that wasn't explained, it was canon so it wasn't a big problem not actually knowing the source material. I'd make a note about it, just in case, but it almost always turned out to have been a canon tidbit not a mistake on her part.

Weekly check in post waves hello

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