(belated) Beta Appreciation Day

[salixbabylon]

Ooops, I missed the day to offer my public thanks to the wonderful people who see my stories in draft form and help whip, spank, and tease them into shape.

My endless gratitude to:

sileya - You stepped in at the last minute for two fics and gave them the most thorough editorial polish I've ever received - no comma or typo gets by your eagle eyes! Thank you for taking the time, especially on such short notice. *hugs*

willowwing - I'm not sure if I like your gentle encouragement and suggestions more than you "OMG HOT" comments or vice versa. Your betaing style is a wonderful combination of first-reader comments and thoughts for improvements. I appreciate so much that you've beated some of the pieces I've struggled with the most, new pairings or scenarios that were difficult for me. Thank you for all of your support. *hugs*

heartofslash - I'm so glad I got over being in awe of you enough to ask you to beta for me - you took some of my first attempts at "more kinky" and helped me to develop them into something I could be proud of. Our conversations about word choice and variations on meaning have helped me to be much more conscious of my style, as well as my prerogative to change it. Plus, I *love* the flirting. ;)

lostiawen - You stuck by me for over a year with "Educational Endeavors" and beated *every single chapter* for a total of 120 pages -- not counting all the other fics you've betaed. You always encourage me to try new things, write kinkier fics, avoid euphemisms, alliteration, excessive adverbs, and generally improve my writing. I can never thank you enough for boosting me up to the next level and helping me stay there. *smooches*


ALl four of you are fantastic, and I can't even thank you enough for your time and patience, both in hunting down naughty commas and in discussing word choices with me in email or YM. You are all phenomenally busy women, and the gift of your talent and time is immeasurable.

And just because it seems appropriate here:



Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.






*massive snogs and smooches and hugs to you all*

Comments

[lostiawen.livejournal.com]

awww...*blush* Thank you! I really appreciate that you take the time to listen to my comments, especially since my thoroughness could be perceived as being excessively bitchy.

And I totally love your stuff, even though you probably don't get that impression from my poking. :) *hugs*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Nah, not excessively bitchy at all! Although we sometimes disagree on a particular point, I do see your comments as respectful and in my best interest in learning to write better, even when I don't actually make the changes you suggest. Aa in, because you pointed it out, I know it's wrong and if I choose to leave it like that, at least I do it consciously instead of out of ignorance.

Awwww! *hug* Thank you. I think you're a pretty damned brilliant writer, too. :)

[ex-sarka257.livejournal.com]

And I missed my day to very graciously appreciate YOU. I'm sorry... just know that I'm grateful for the help and the encouragement :)

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Awww, you are very welcome! How can I encourage you to write some more? ;)

[sileya.livejournal.com]

*LOVES*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*smooch*

Lemme know when you have time for more cowriting... Ewan/Obi has been wandering around my head lately, and I'm about to get TPM copied for posterity. :)

[sileya.livejournal.com]

WOOOOOOOOO! I'll ping you next time I'm on and I see you.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

loverly! :)

[bee-ta-baby.livejournal.com]

Hello there! I tried to reply to the comment about the background and how I'd feel... well, it wouldn't let me, kept saying I wasn't authorized, and then page couldn't be found. But I'd truthfully probably react as you did... Surprised, shocked and a bit angry.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing what your response would be - I appreciate knowing I wasn't totally out in left field. And you couldn't post because I went ahead and locked the post, just for privacy. ;)