Whooosh!

[kitanzi]

Y'know, that's why I'm a crappy beta reader. I can proof read for spelling and grammar, but the more I like the story, the less I'll see its faults otherwise. If I really like a story, I'll fall into it - if it sucks me in, you can hear the whooosh sound, and I'm gone. I do this with TV too, or really any story in any medium. ACat can vouch, when it's something I really like I admit that it's so good I don't even want to see the flaws because that would pull me back out of it. It's a damn shame, in a way, because I like reading and I like helping friends, but now that I think of it, this is likely why I'm not much use for this particular thing. Still, if you *want* someone who will spot spelling and grammar pretty well... lemme know!

(I can also be slow to climb all the way back out. Five or six episodes of Dexter back to back last night while ACat was out gaming was probably ill advised. My life has a voiceover track this morning. Damn but that show improves as it goes along - addictive.)

Comments

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

I can be the the same.

This is why when I did some beta reading recently I let myself read it twice. Once for story and continuity (which really does stand out when it pulls you out of the story) and then a second time for grammar and punctuation. I worked pretty well I think - similar to what I had to do when scoring kids essay tests.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

I can and do do that for short pieces, but for novel length pieces (which the two I was specifically thinking of were), I can't bring myself to re-read it immediately. It just doesn't "taste" right, I can't explain it. If I've really fallen into the story, it's just like that.

[gingicat]

Thank you for your comment on "Ship's Cat," btw. I didn't check the box to have comments emailed to me on that story.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome, it was good!

[nelladarren.livejournal.com]

Wuha... I was just imagining you going through your day voicing over what you're just doing. "Bananas... I like Bananas." As long as you don't get into any other of his habits... :oD

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Heh... I am not of the opinion that bananas are the perfect driving snackfood, no. Nor do I plan to start a collection of slides to keep in my airconditioner. (Gah, that puts a new spin on "Hey, I just got back from vacation, want to see my slides?)

On the other hand, there is the whole mulcher thing...

[nelladarren.livejournal.com]

Well - slide shows just ARE horrible, whatever way you turn that concept... :o)

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

I do that too! I think that's why I haven't been more helpful for our mutual friend. I love the story. I like the characters. I think the prose is damned fine. But I admit I'm biased.

However I also think I'm a fairly discriminating reader of broad tastes. So if I say it's good - it's good. I have spoken. :-)

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Well, exactly. It IS good, and I am very sure of it - and I told her so. But I'm no good, apparently, at pointing out where and how to make it better. I'm too caught up in the story.