Allyson, speaking of beta-reading, did I put my foot in it the other day by offering you a completely unasked for suggestion in my email to you? After I sent it, I felt like such a big mouth. Plus, not sure I stressed how much I really liked what I read.

Susan, it's not backwards--it's just a different process. That's what makes writing an art, IMO.

There is (or should be) a difference between what you expect of your own writing process and what you expect of somebody else's.

I'm with you; I fix all the grammar and typos I can, because they itch me. I also am suspicious that somebody who can't handle grammar probably can't handle the big stuff.

However, when somebody asks me for an edit, I ask them what kind of edit they want. And editing should go top-down; it is far more important to know that Character A has no function in the story than to know that you're ending too many sentences with prepositions.

I guess it never occured to me that beta was ever about proofreading.

To me, it isn't, especially in fiction. But even in non-fiction, that isn't ever what I'm looking for.

Similarly, is it possible for " a long minute" to pass, since all minutes are, really, exactly the same length?

You know, while I can see how that might be useful, I think my first reaction would be to grit my teeth. My second reaction would be to write said editor off as nonintuitive. Which would potentially lose me a good editor...

is it possible for " a long minute" to pass, since all minutes are, really, exactly the same length?

The minutes in the ER waiting room are much, much longer than the minutes lounging in bed next to the person you love.

Allyson, speaking of beta-reading, did I put my foot in it the other day by offering you a completely unasked for suggestion in my email to you? After I sent it, I felt like such a big mouth. Plus, not sure I stressed how much I really liked what I read.

Actually, I would have liked more suggestions/criticism! I was just feeling kind of awkward. I needed you to read it for permission, so I felt like I was forcing stuff on you.

Speaking of, I need to send to ita and Burrell, as well. But Burrell, she's a little busy, methinks.

Send me as much as you want, Allyson! Maybe I can read it and then we can grab a bite together to discuss? That way I get the fun of reading AND I get to see you too!

Susan, it's not backwards--it's just a different process. That's what makes writing an art, IMO.

See my edit--I'm not planning to change my process for my own writing. I just had no idea that it was unhelpful and perhaps even offensive to others, because I didn't know it was unusual.

Send me as much as you want, Allyson! Maybe I can read it and then we can grab a bite together to discuss? That way I get the fun of reading AND I get to see you too!

Whoooot!!! That would be grrrreat!

I just had no idea that it was unhelpful and perhaps even offensive to others, because I didn't know it was unusual.

I wasn't offended, Susan. I just thought you didn't like my stuff and did what you could to help.

Susan, it isn't witing backward; you just need a specific thing from the work you give out for beta reading, and it looks to be different from what I need, or maybe Allyson or Teppy needs. And by the by, I don't consider the long, convoluted sentence thing to be a grammar issue; it's a crafting issue to me. As for typos, that doesn't arise in a real life setting; I'm reading aloud, they're listening.