So, and this is just a question and not a judgement, you would be okay with scaring someone off who had desire but no/limited technical skill? I get what you're saying, but ... <i>inside, please ...</i> -- Fic Recon

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Date Posted: 10:42:05 06/19/07 Tue
Author: BCKemp65
Subject: So, and this is just a question and not a judgement, you would be okay with scaring someone off who had desire but no/limited technical skill? I get what you're saying, but ... inside, please ...
In reply to: clk 's message, "I recently had a published writer make a comment about she'd rather have the problem that her book was well written but not marketable because some people have great 'marketable' ideas and can't write their way out of a paperbag. - inside" on 09:37:44 06/19/07 Tue

When I was a brand new wrestler in high school, the coaches didn't hit me up the first day I set foot on a mat with *everything* I did wrong. They took some time to work on basics - footwork, stance, grips, etc., before progressing to more complex techniques, traps, and combinations.

Being a beta reader can be compared to being a coach or a teacher. That doesn't mean it has to be. I think, though, it should be approached with some consideration given to the skill level of the author in question.

A professional writer of my acquaintence approaches middle school classes differently than college seminars. He's much more likely to take your approach with the college students because, presumably, they have the skills and just aren't using them to best effect. He readily admits that he's being a drill sargeant with them and has found it a good technique for separating the wheat from the chaff. That said, he also knows when to encourage a young, inexperienced writer.

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Replies:

inside -- clk, 12:44:01 06/19/07 Tue
- re: inside -- lska, 14:17:56 06/19/07 Tue
  - I don't want to sound rude- but there is a huge difference between a beta which basically means read this over for errors and minor suggestions - to hold my hand I want to write but my story is terrible - inside -- clk, 15:22:20 06/19/07 Tue
    - re: inside -- lska, 15:47:51 06/19/07 Tue
      - now there I agree with you - it isn't anyone business to tell you you'll never be any good at crocheting -- clk, 16:30:36 06/19/07 Tue
        Ah. -- lska, 20:01:11 06/19/07 Tue
        yes- I think you hit the nail on the head. I've betad often for many people- some better writers than others - some who if I catch a wrong comma I'm surprised!! Some who the page is covered in suggestions - but I was definitely focusing on what to tell the person who aks your opinion and your opinion is - the story is really bad. (Stinks) (NT) -- clk-, 20:36:28 06/19/07 Tue
    - I think I'm going to agree to disagree here. -- BCKemp65, 16:01:20 06/19/07 Tue
- Inside, please ... -- BCKemp65, 14:48:08 06/19/07 Tue
  - ROFL- oh that was too well said - I drew my conclusions from experience and her words - THIS STINKS - I know how painful it is to see someone who really wants to write and simply hasn't the talent. -- clk, 16:14:38 06/19/07 Tue
    - I should probably add - though I used a friend trying to get published I in no way expect fanfic writers to subject themselves to mainstream fiction standards - if that were the case all of my own works would fail miserably. (NT) -- clk, 16:19:39 06/19/07 Tue
    - Best of luck with your friend. I can empathize; she sounds like a relative of mine. -- BCKemp65, 16:24:38 06/19/07 Tue
      - out of curiosity- are you a student or a teacher? (NT) -- clk, 20:41:00 06/19/07 Tue
        I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. -- BCKemp65, 08:28:29 06/20/07 Wed
        you have a way with words that's quite impressive- LOL- humor is hard to sell, but even harder to write. Inside -- clk, 09:14:51 06/20/07 Wed

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