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.

When I first write things, I suspect they come out as if spoken, much of the time, hence the fragments. Now I hate it because I have to clean it up.

I don't consider the long, convoluted sentence thing to be a grammar issue; it's a crafting issue to me.

Yes. This. It's one of my bigger weaknesses as a writer. Many commas, and not a period to be found for inches.

Furthermore, "I have no idea what this sentence means" (which I have been known to write on close friends' betas) is absolutely a craft issue.