With my first story I did eventually get a beta but the experience traumatized me and for a very long time I didn't use one (as you can see by some of the stories written in 2002 and 2003, which I'm slowly getting beta'd now). That first story is a glorious fifty-seven page train wreck that I had actually taken off-line where I could because it really is embarrassing. BUT I also realized that it's important to never forget where you start out at and I'd also like to help any newbies so they don't screw up as badly I did.
So I thought maybe folks might be interested doing a 'New to Writing Fanfic: What Not to do When You Start that First Story' Guide. Essentially what I'd like to do is have folks do a public beta of that first story and when it's posted all of the red pen edits would be included as pointers on what not to do.
Good Idea?
Yes
23(92.0%)
No
0(0.0%)
You're smoking the good stuff again
2(8.0%)
If I have enough people interested in tearing the story a new one... How should it be presented?
Website
6(24.0%)
PDF for download
5(20.0%)
Several LJ entries
11(44.0%)
Other (will comment)
3(12.0%)