Exit Wounds and betas.

[jadesfire]

This was going to be a post about something else, but I just watched the preview for 'Exit Wounds' and my brain exploded. I'm not getting my hopes up, given Torchwood has a knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, but still. If it's even half as good as it looks? *fans self* What is it with putting Jack in chains? Seriously? Also, if we don't get a Valiant reference, I may have to hit something.

*dies, just a little*

Is it next week yet?

What this post was supposed to be was 'has anyone else noticed that ironing expands to fill the time available?' *eyes laundry suspiciously*

It was also going to be a post following dark_aegis's example, in praise of betas.

Whether you use a 'first readers' list or work closely with one or two other people, I really don't think there's any substitute for having someone look at your story and go 'huh'. Praise is nice, reassurance is necessary, but what I really, really need is someone to say 'not quite, try again like this'. To correct mistakes when I should know better. To argue that my pet idea/word/phrase is just not right for the story. To make me raise my game. To stop me giving up when I want to just lie down and cry. To laugh at my typos when they give the sentence a whole other meaning. To say 'yeah, not so much' when things are wrong. To bounce when they're right. To deconstruct syntax to make it work again. To make me write.

With thanks to everyone who's always willing to help me out, and especially to donutsweeper who gets me on the right side of the Atlantic and making sense, crystalshard who stops me breaking the laws of physics and drives trucks through my plot holes and miss_zedem who glares at me and makes me do better. None of them let me get away with anything, which is a pain in the neck for a lazy so-and-so like me, and I wouldn't be without them for the world.

Go on. Love a beta today :)

Comments

[crystalshard.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I wouldn't be without you and Z. As I repeatedly say (and will keep on saying), you two don't let me get away with anything. You two make me a far, far better writer.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Right back at you :) I think the 'not getting away with things' is the most important bit. The style and grammar isn't too bad, but it's the 'hmmmmm...' and the feeling that I can see you all tilting your heads that really gets me going :)

[pwcorgigirl.livejournal.com]

ironing expands to fill the time available This is why I iron only about twice a year. I have a black belt in the ancient art of Vigorously Shaking Wrinkles Out of Wet Clothes and Hanging Them to Dry.

I saw the Exit Wounds promo on YouTube, and I have to say the folks who bring us Torchwood certainly seem to have noticed how attractive Jack looks in chains. I'm sure JB looks delish in a tuxedo, but half-naked, sweaty, smudged up and in chains works great for Jack. :)

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Ironing is evil. Normally I do the minimum necessary, but we can't hang them so they dry wrinkle free, which is a pain in the neck.

Hee. Yes, Jack in chains is definitely becoming a theme. Probably by popular demand :D

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

*blushes* back at'cha kiddo. Betas are amazing, I'd never have managed my sga/tw crossover without your help!

and as for Jack in chains... *sighs happily*

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*grin* There I times I think the Torchwood producers hate us, but right now? They really, really love us :)

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

Awww bless you *hugs* And yes, I love you and Chrys as well :) As well as your manifold and blessed spelling/grammar/plot-hole spotting skills, there's the fact that I trust you both implicitly to tell me when something's rubbish, which means the praise when it comes means that much more.

I haven't seen the trailer yet, other than the thing they did at the end of 'Fragments'. Is there another doing the rounds? I'm trying to keep my expectations low, because last year they gave us CJH, followed by EoD, so they don't have the best track record.

Still. Jack in chains, huh? *raises eyebrow*

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

That's exactly it on the praise/criticism front. It's hard to trust one if you never get the other.

It's not so much a trailer as an excerpt - it's on the Torchwood website. And yes, I need to resurrect my 'Jack in chains' icon :) Like you, I'm keeping expectations dampened, just in case, but I'll settle for just seeing the rest of that scene, because James Marsters looks like he pretty much steals the whole episode. Awesome stuff :)