Favour? Anyone?

[essayel]

I need a beta. A really hnest one because I've got a story I - gulp - want to submit for consideration for publication in the second I Do anthology and I'd sooner not bother with the submssion if it isn't up to standard. I've gone over the story 'til I went cross eyed to try to cut extended sentences and adverbs [just 2 of my worst sins] but there will be things I've missed. It's about 1100 words so - anyone? Please?

In other news, I have the day off today because people are supposed to be coming to replace our boiler. They were supposed to come on Monday AND the Monday before that. Any bets on whether they'll come today?

Comments

[yakalskovich]

I know the story, so I fear a re-beta would be a tad useless. I already said that thing about the name, which you changed.

And no, I would bet they won't come today. They'll come spontaneously on some random day, forcing you to madly dash home from work to let them in.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

No sign of the boilermen!!! And they said they'd be here early, pffft!

My poor story has been edited so hard it's gone from about 500 words in the first iterations to nearly 2K and back down to just over one. You were perfectly right about the name though. The baggage it carried just made it totally wrong in that context.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I'll be happy to look at it, I'm not taking part in the submission committee this year, so am entirely impartial.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much, that's very kind of you. It is short and - not a lot happens in it - but I hope it fits the bill. I'll use the email addy on the writer conference group.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

can't remember what that is - use erastes at erastes dot com

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Thanks and it's on the way.

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

I'd look at at (but: I'm also subbing to that submission call) :)

(Oh, and (this username) at gmail com

[essayel.livejournal.com]

That's a very kind offer. I'll email it. If you want a reciprocal read through I'm very happy to return the favour.

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

Cool. :) My story's already 1,700 words and I /assume/ I'll get to the full 10k, but if that doesn't deter you... :)

[essayel.livejournal.com]

I'm not a grammar guru by any means, but can look for typos and repetitions and those bits, if any, where the sense isn't immediately obvious to someone who's meeting the characters for the first time. Send away. As you said same name at gmail dot com.

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll get in touch. :)

[aunty_marion]

I could take a look at it, if you like, if you haven't already got too many other offers! 1100 words is quite short...

[essayel.livejournal.com]

That would be really kind. Having some people look at it who wouldn't normally read my work is ideal because of lack of preconceptions. I'll email via your LJ addy. No rush though. The deadline isn't til 1st December and I'm hoping that, if it is good enough to submit after the alterations, that will give me time to talk myself back into submitting it AFTER I've wibbled my way out of it.

[metallumai.livejournal.com]

me-me-me, I'll do it.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Oh THANKS!! I would've asked yesterday but you sound so busy with your young gentleman!! I'll drop it over. It's - short, not a proper story, probably quite predictable, but - well, you'll tell me what you think. [[hugs]] hope you're having a nice morning with the tiddler.

[cweb.livejournal.com]

If you need any more eyes, I'd be happy to pore over it for you:)

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Oh brilliant, thank you. Want to PM me your email and I'll send the most recent iteration?

[prettyshiny.livejournal.com]

And one more offer to look it over. I read for a pro author friend of mine a couple of times a year, so I'm pretty good at this game if you need anyone else. obsessedone AT gmail

=-)

[essayel.livejournal.com]

{{hugs}} Thanks sweetie. It's in the mail!!

[mcgonagalls-cat.livejournal.com]

* hand in air, bobbing on feet * I'll help if you still need it. (Sorry I didn't offer sooner, haven't gotten a chance to get on for a couple days.)

[essayel.livejournal.com]

It's not my usual romp, but I'd be grateful for input. I know something's wrong but I'm not too sure how to put it right. Do you want Word 97-2003 or an rtf file? Tell you what I'll send both.