Beta appreciation!

[valis2]

To the lovely mariannelee, who puts up with my strange word order problems, my early exclamation point abuse, and my endless questions of, "Is this supposed to be capitalized? Do you think this sounds silly? Is this too obtuse?"

I started writing fanfic in...hmm...2000? And I officially "joined" the online fandom, and began writing HP fanfiction, in November 2003. I went unbeta'ed for a very long time. I found someone who seemed like a perfect fit, but she abruptly became unavailable. Marianne responded to my whining by graciously becoming my beta and combing over sixty chapters of tLS earlier this year. She's awesome! I've definitely learned from her, and I feel much better about putting things out in the public eye because I know she's watching over my fic just as closely---or even closer!---than I am.

*hugs* to my sweet beta! Long may her ink run red.

Comments

[mariannelee.livejournal.com]

Well... That was totally unexpected and very sweet. Thank you!
M

[valis2.livejournal.com]

You are wonderful! I'm so very, very glad that you offered to beta for me. It really is appreciated tremendously! *hugs*

[gillieweed.livejournal.com]

I have to admit--and I know people love their beta readers, and I know that beta readers work hard for unfathomable reasons---but honestly, the first time I heard about 'Beta appreciation day" and was assured it wasn't actually "betta appreciation day" I almost wet my pants laughing.

Sorry, but...

Just try to be low-key about it, ficcers--the last thing we need is a line of "I ♥ mi my beta!" Hallmark cards that will be guaranteed to spawn a wave greeting card wank when someone starts an argument over the grammar or whether they're "brit' enough.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'd like to thank my Siamese fighting fish for all his hard work...this story is a better one because of his fantastic fins.

hahaha!

Greeting card wank! lol

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

A great beta is wonderful to have...

Be sure to show your beta how much you treasure her efforts - send her regular offerings of virtual reality chocolate. Also, ship her boxes of premium quality tissues for those times when she's reviewing angsty chapters. :-)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

:) I do try to send her a craft item every so often...

Good tip on the tissues, though...there might be some wangst coming up in the next chapter!