Steven released this Spotlight in December 2000
I'm going to "build up" the final monthly "Spotlight" of the year, and see if you can guess who I'm writing about. I'm doing this because this person is very important in the 'Daria' fanfic community, so important, in fact, that without this person, a 'Daria' fanfic released might not read as well as the writer might have liked. Have you figured out who yet?
Anyway, while you keep guessing in case you still don't know, I'll provide some additional clues. This person is actually all of us in one way or another. This person provides vital imput to the writer, in fact, this person *is* the next most important person in this or any other area of fanfiction, next to the writer. Well, have you gotten it?
This "Spotlight" is on the beta-reader.
I could just kick myself for not "Spotlighting" this area of fanfiction, since I *have* already "Spotlighted" some, if not almost all of the beta-readers.
How can that be, you may ask? The people I've "Spotlighted" so far are, in fact, beta-readers, even, I suspect, the fanfiction artists. You're scratching your head, aren't you? Let me explain.
In my opinion, beta-reading is more than just standard proofreading. You see, even if someone reads a story that's already been beta-read to death and is now being introduced for the first time, that person might, and I reiterate, might be moved to respond to the writer and tell him or her what they liked (and disliked) about the story, and if enough people end up saying the same thing, that writer could possibly review the story and re-write it, or try to appease the reviewers by making a few, subtle changes in the next story. This is, IMHO, a form of beta-reading on the part of the reviewer.
I'm sure fanfic artists also have read some fics out of formulating a written scene in their minds so it can be illustrated. The artists might ask a question as to clarify what the scene is. The writer may respond by explaining what he or she wanted to convey. Of course, the fanfic artist might want to add what they thought about the fic overall, too.
Without the beta-reader, we'd all be in trouble. Fortunately, beta-reading can't be avoided, nor should it be. How can a writer get better without it? It's almost impossible to release a fic without at least *one* person responding to it. The best beta-readers "challenge" the writer by pointing out what needs to be corrected, and don't hold back without tearing down the writer's work. Encouragement, not discouragement. (The same goes here for the general reader who gives his or her opinion on a story)
In closing, as written, all of us have been beta readers in one form or another. There's more to beta-reading than just proofreading, and it's a vitally important function in the fanfiction community that has been overlooked for far too long. So all of you take a bow (even Sailor Danielle ;D ), you folks deserve it. What do YOU ALL think? Opinions, anyone? Thanks, and have a Happy New Year.
Wouter Jaegers
I will take the opportunity to thank my trusty Beta readers Morgan, Robert Nowall and Larissa Simpson.
And I want to thank Yui Doaren who helped my to devellop my fics to the level they are now.
TAFKA
My turn to thank my beta readers (thus far) for Pawnography... okay, Major thanks to:
Geoff (gofer boy and do everything person.... hell, what HAVEN'T you done for me to help get this fic to happen. people, geoff has done everything from offer advice on the fic, to going through it with a fine toothed comb, to helping me with my Cynic workload, to editing a less gory version so that everyone will be able to enjoy this fic.)
Ruthless Bunny (gawd you give some good advice, and your support is most welcome)
Ksih (you were the first person I bullied into reading this, and you have been most helpful)
Lew(for betaing a scientific scene for me and subsequently hounding me into letting him have the first two chapters to beta.... you brought back my muse.... even if she only stayed for a short while)
non-beta gratitude:
mouserr (for encouraging me to write this story arc out.... )
Canadibrit (for helping me with 'that' scene, supporting me through my first major muse-seige, advertising my fic, and many countless random acts of kindness)
If i have missed anyone here, please let me know so I can put you in my pawnography credits page.......
medea42
In no particular order, and if I forget someone, let me know and I WILL mention you....
Thomas, RuthlessBunny, Tafka, TraP, any number of the bored unfortunates on Daria+ who happened to be up when I had insomnia and just *had* to finish a fic, Brian Taylor, Petrel,...
lots and lots of people. I'm beta-reading promiscuous, because all those perspectives are invaluable...
Robert Nowall
Let me thank everyone in general ('cause I don't have time to look up everybody I sent a rough draft to). As I said at the end of one story, your advice was appreciated, if not always followed...
Canadibrit
Okay, here's my list.
Ben Yee - now co-author because I couldn't do TLAS without his beta-reading expertise.
Jill Friedman, the Leopard Lady - always with the BGM and supportive words.
Diane Long - TLAS wouldn't even have got off the GROUND without your help.
Austin Loomis - he doesn't read the boards, but I'm saying it anyway because of the codenames.
mouserr - mostly for believing in me, and for showing me that people can work themselves hard, nearly to death, for a good cause.
And generally, EVERYONE in #Daria+ for helping me when I whinge.
Ben Breeck
I would especially like to thank Robert Nowall, who has been the only person to date to comment on all of my posted fanfics so far, and even managed to give me some good ideas.
Kemical Reaxion
Ok, now it's MY turn! I have a few people I want to thank as well.
First, a HUGE thanks to Yui Daoren. Not only did he give me invaluable feedback on my fics, but his OWN fics are greatly responsible for getting me interested in writing fanfics in the first place! *hugs* :-)
Next, I want to thank my beta readers for "The Artist Formerly Known As The Frog Prince." I got SO stuck on that fic, and your help is greatly appreciated! Big thanks to Robert Nowall, Mike B, Steven Galloway, NomadX, Aaron Adelman, and Guy Wheatley. A powerful beta team if ever there was one! :-) Thanks y'all!!
Lastly, I want to thank everyone who's given me feedback on my fics (and artwork too). Every point you make about my work, good or bad, helps me become a better writer or artist the next time around. And let's face it, I need all the help I can get! Muchas Gracias!!