Beta Readers Unite!

To be honest, I don't use a lot of the features on FanFiction.net, but I have to admit, some of them are pretty nifty. They created a section for "Beta Readers," where writers can sign up to be Betas (editors, really) if they meet the minimum requirement of 5 published stories, and you can pick a Beta based on the section that they registered for. It's genius! I mean, there's a definite charm in being able to "scope out" your potential beta, see what they like, what they've written, and then ask them to be a Beta-reader based on your preferences with relatively little fear of rejection--I mean, they're volunteering, for pete's sake!

(I have to admit, though, I am a little skeptical about those writers who've written over 50 stories >.> How much time and care did you really put into writing if you can churn out so many? On the flip side, if you can do that and produce some really great stories, then: Wow. I'm jealous. I'm having hard enough of a time finishing one story, much less able to hammer out three other ones. No, I'm not bitter. Much.)

Well, the point of this post is that I've been very productive lately. I've been happier with my writing style than I have been in months, and there's just a handful of sections that I need to revise/write before I can publish.* While I'm working on that, I'd like to have two betas (or up to five, if people are willing) to catch any mistakes in canon, spelling, grammar, translation, and general style of writing.

If you have any experience in being a Beta reader and you wouldn't mind giving me a healthy chunk of your time, I'd be grateful for your editing prowess. Mind you, I'm not trying to be picky, but I'm not looking for people who are going nuts over my half-year-plus hiatus, looking to read whatever they can. I'm looking for genuine help, advice, and a pair of critical eyes. It would also help a lot of you know how to use Microsoft Word's Track Changes feature.

I don't know how many people take FanFiction as seriously as I've been taking it, but I genuinely do believe that writing Second Chance has really given me an opportunity to become a better writer. Hopefully, it shows in chapter two! Let me know if you're interested, via email or comment. You can also find me on the LJ Skip Beat! Community.

* I'm determined to publish soon. I refuse to be the FanFiction writer that takes over a year to update, and I refuse to drop this story. I'm going to finish this one, dangit!