In recent weeks I've been given a number of unpublished works to beta read by friends. A few short stories and a couple of novels.
For those unfamiliar with the term, Beta Reading is when you read and edit something for a writer and offer your opinions on the craft of their work. It takes time to do it right. You can't just read it, send them an e-mail and say, "yeah, that was great. Send it to somebody."
It takes time to properly beta read something. It takes thought and effort. I've been fortunate enough to have had a few friends do this for me over the years. One is sort of my lucky charm because everything I've gotten accepted has been beta read by her at some point. I consider her to be a Station of the Cross.
I've come to realize that having somebody trust you enough to allow you to not only read their work before it's been submitted, but also solicit opinions on that work, is really an honor. It means they respect you enough to actually care what you think.
So in recent weeks I've been beta reading novels. I just finished one and last night I started another. It's an exciting feeling because I get to see how the process works for others. Plus, it has made me think more about my own work and how I would like to approach it.
In other news, I'm totally over-worked between my paying job, chores, writing and editing. I need a TedSpawn. And since volunteer hosts have not come forward as I had expected, I'm going to opt for the conscription plan. Hosts will be drafted into service to the Van.
The aliens that come to visit me regularly have already said it was a bad idea. But they also added that they'd allow me to borrow their spaceship and equipment to make it happen out of their own morbid curiosity. One even said he'd hold my beer while I worked the controls.
You just can't buy friendship like that.
Some of you expecting mothers might be worried that your baby is in fact a TedSpawn. This is entirely possible so let me answer some of your questions.
How do I know if I'm carrying my baby or a TedSpawn?
Typically, hosting a TedSpawn brings nightmares and unusual cravings at night. Do you crave raw beef?
Also, if the baby inside is kicking, does watching a horror movie calm it down? If so, you might be carrying a TedSpawn.
If I'm carrying a TedSpawn, does that mean you'll cover my medical bills?
Why go to a hospital? They'll just chew their way out in 7-9 months anyways. It's not like I'd risk some doctor botching things up for me again.
If any of you expecting mothers have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comments and I'll answer them as I get time.
For those unfamiliar with the term, Beta Reading is when you read and edit something for a writer and offer your opinions on the craft of their work. It takes time to do it right. You can't just read it, send them an e-mail and say, "yeah, that was great. Send it to somebody."
It takes time to properly beta read something. It takes thought and effort. I've been fortunate enough to have had a few friends do this for me over the years. One is sort of my lucky charm because everything I've gotten accepted has been beta read by her at some point. I consider her to be a Station of the Cross.
I've come to realize that having somebody trust you enough to allow you to not only read their work before it's been submitted, but also solicit opinions on that work, is really an honor. It means they respect you enough to actually care what you think.
So in recent weeks I've been beta reading novels. I just finished one and last night I started another. It's an exciting feeling because I get to see how the process works for others. Plus, it has made me think more about my own work and how I would like to approach it.
In other news, I'm totally over-worked between my paying job, chores, writing and editing. I need a TedSpawn. And since volunteer hosts have not come forward as I had expected, I'm going to opt for the conscription plan. Hosts will be drafted into service to the Van.
The aliens that come to visit me regularly have already said it was a bad idea. But they also added that they'd allow me to borrow their spaceship and equipment to make it happen out of their own morbid curiosity. One even said he'd hold my beer while I worked the controls.
You just can't buy friendship like that.
Some of you expecting mothers might be worried that your baby is in fact a TedSpawn. This is entirely possible so let me answer some of your questions.
How do I know if I'm carrying my baby or a TedSpawn?
Typically, hosting a TedSpawn brings nightmares and unusual cravings at night. Do you crave raw beef?
Also, if the baby inside is kicking, does watching a horror movie calm it down? If so, you might be carrying a TedSpawn.
If I'm carrying a TedSpawn, does that mean you'll cover my medical bills?
Why go to a hospital? They'll just chew their way out in 7-9 months anyways. It's not like I'd risk some doctor botching things up for me again.
If any of you expecting mothers have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comments and I'll answer them as I get time.
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