Hello everyone. Just thought I would send out this message to see if anyone is interested in exchanging stories for proof reading purposes. I recieved a nice critique in the comments section of my Maelstrom story, but no name was listed with the comment and I was unable to follow up with this person about their ideas on how to improve my writing.

I'm not wanting just someone to send my work to for proof reading, I'm hoping to find someone that is an active writer that is also looking for someone to help them out. If you're interested, either respond here or send me a private message. Thanks for your time.

now man, if you have read any of my stories. they aren't 2 bad in the proof reading departments. i don't want to sound like i am blowing my own trupet or anything coz i don't alright. its just that most people have good mates they7 send their fics to. you don't want to give it to any old person. give it to someone who u know will give u a postive but truthfull result. i have two of the best proofies out that read my fics. they are my best buds!! Preli and Alien Lord, you shouldn know them by now. well alien lord anyway. preli makes himself scarse at the present time. he is ahving dsl probs. i think anyway. well good luck wif the proofies!!
DIOTB

unfortunately, I've outgrown fanfics [at least for now], so all my current writings are aimed [hopefully] at the commercial market, so I'm a bit hesitant about sharing stuff...

I still gotta upload the various chapters for the existing stories which simply sit on my HDD...

While I'm in a helpful mood (it's lunch time) I'll sling a tip in here regarding proof-readers:

Make sure your proof-reader knows what is required of them. There are some that think they just read it and say "Yeah, that's cool." or "Urgh! That's bad." Proof-reading is so much more than that. A good proof-reader will correct typo's, point out/correct poor grammar. If they're technically minded, like me, they'll point out any technical gaffs. A good proofy will highlight any continuity errors. A good proofy will ensure (should ensure) that you, the author, are seen in the best possible light. A proofy will not rewrite your story for you. A proofy will not correct you writing to the extent where your charateristics and style are replaced theirs. A good proofy is hard to find. If you find one, then nurture your proofy, lavish praise and gifts on your proofy. Buy them little gifts like, ooo, I don't know, a Ferrari or Porche.
Oh, and don't expect a proofy to be 100% infallible.
Don't expect your proofy to do all your work for you. Give your proofy something decent to work with. If you don't, you may get it back untouched with a curt comment like 'at least make an effort'.
Hmmm, there was one more thing (scratches head). Ah! Yes, I like my Ferrari's in red. Actually, no, it's: remember that proof-reading takes time and that your proofy is giving you this time out of theirs.

Anise.

Very good points, Anise. I appreciate the feed back from everyone so far. One reason I stressed my desire to have an active writer help proof read my work was so that I might be bale to perform the same service for them, instead of sending them something and expecting the hard work to be done and give nothing in exchange.

I understand that some writers have moved on from pure "amusement" writing and have tried to step into the wonderful world of commercial literature, or have just become disenfranchised with the whole fanfiction community. I wish the best of luck to all of them, whatever path they choose to take.

I suppose I was trying to find a way to become a little more involved with the community here by posting about proof readers, but if none are interested or are not in a position to be able to help, I understand completely. I'll still enjoy writing, at least for now, and I hope that at least a few people will enjoy what turns out. Thank you again.

Sorry, I should have indicated that my post was a generic reply that was for the benefit of the community rather than a specific reply to any post here.

Quote:

i have two of the best proofies out that read my fics. they are my best buds!! Preli and Alien Lord, you shouldn know them by now. well alien lord anyway. preli makes himself scarse at the present time.

hey thanks mark. i am glad to proof read.

I find that proofing my own work requires a LOT of attention, self-analysis and observation.
It results in an increase in self-knowledge.

yes thats right boss, but there is a ceratin degree of what otherr people may think of your work as well. not just yourself, you don't read your own work and say man that pretty bloody bitchin! you read it and say great i think its ok but what do my proofies think. this is not directed at anyone in particular!

How do you begin to trust your proofers???

you know idoru one of the things that in know about my proofies is that they aer my good mates. trust is a difficult way of putting things its maore like faith. i trust them coz they are my buds. so it more faith in what they will think of the fic that i give them. you get my meaning?!

But that means you're TRUSTING them on a personality basis and NOT on the basis of their ability to effectively JUDGE your writing.....

Exactly. Why do you want your mates to say 'That's great' when it isn't just because they're too friendly with you to say 'Actually mate, that's crap' etc?

You need somebody neutral to give you a proper inbiased account. Or somebody you know doesn't put friendship above proofing anyway.

Now, I must say that I *love* my proofie Anise (the very best between here and Hadley's Hope, at least!) for the best service I could ask of someone: Not only does she correct all my typos and grammatical screw-ups, no, she is observant to every little detail in the story, pays attention to characters and storyline and tells me exactly how she sees it - in a nice way, but clear enough to get her point across.

You can't learn and you can't get better if the only comment you'll ever get for your stories is a pat on the back and a "Cool stuff!". You need someone to be blunt with you.

Thanks Anise!

Quote:

How do you begin to trust your proofers???

here is the thing mark allready knows i will give him a truthfull answer becuase of what i said on one of his topics on his story. i dont like to bring it back up on what i said but i was a little hot headed and stated my full oppinion on it. didnt i mark. you guys can look at it your self it is under this forum topic any way. Iduro find some one who writes you back on a forum saying stuff that you can see in your writing that is true then ask them to proof your other work. as for me and mark we both know eachother will write their oppinion.

What?

its how me and mark became proofreaders.

say 'That's great' when it isn't just because they're too friendly with you to say 'Actually mate, that's crap' etc?

hey daggs as always READ THE POSTS BEFOE YOU ANSWER. just a friendly hint!!
DIOTB

Now if we'd all refrain from inter-personal banter....

Finding a GOOD proffie is very hard--I used to dump my stuff on dvVIII... but he started getting annoyed about my writing and his OWN writer's block....LOL

no personl "banter" goin on here just tellin him to read the forums brfore he opens his mouth.!!!