It's not always easy writing the Noir fic. Infact, it's often not very easy to write any fic. That's why there are many very nice people around the world who volunteer to take a look at just finished (or indeed still in progress) fic, and offer their advice, comments and constructive criticism about what they see.
All the people listed on this page are willing to help knock your fic into suitably Noirish shape. If you think you could do this Beta Reading malarkey yourself then why not enter your details by clicking here?
If you're thinking of becoming a Beta Reader yourself, then you may find this little worksheet helpful. After you've read a fic, just answer the questions on this sheet and you should have the beginnings of a solid Beta Readers response.
I'm good for almost everything. I'm not into m/m smut but I can handle m/m 'ships. Deadboy, Deadboy Jr, Captain Cornfed and Buffy are really annoying. Faith, Anya, Cordy, Xander alone or in any combination are doubleplusgood. No-power Xander is better than super-Xander. And despite what the women-folk say, vanilla ice cream is better than chocolate ice cream.
Pairing: Any Rating: Any Strengths: Plot, Spelling, and Continuity Weakness: Angel verse Time to Return: Usually around a week, depending on how long/complicated the story is
I will read anything with the exception of Buffy/Spike and Willow/Tara (nothing personal but I'm weak with those pairings). I'm best at looking for spelling/grammatical errors. I'm usually able to beta a fic entirely within a few days.
I'll read any ratings, but I do prefer the higher ratings. I'm a big Spike/Willow fan, but I'll read anything. Just let me know what you want beta'd (grammar, plot, spelling, etc).
Reads: Anything going, except songfic, and overly fluffy stuff, any pairing except Riley/-, dark stuff and NC-17 welcome...
Strengths: Looks for/Strengths: Spikespeak (I have the same accent anyway), Technical slash stuff (surrounded by gay friends, so have learnt such things!), grammar, spelling (allegedly my best academic strength), canon stuff.
Notes: Just say how you want it beta-d - just grammar etc, or just plot, just character - if you want something particularly well-considered just say, and if you are a little fragile about comments and that, say that as well (I can be blunt!) :)
I'm really strong with grammar, punctuation, and spelling. I can help with plot, and pick up on any inconsistencies within your own story. If you get stuck within your story, I know the right questions to get you going again. I'm stronger with the Angel verse, but I am very familiar with the Buffy verse as well. I don't have specifics that I concentrate on, as I read almost everything. I'm open to any type of fic, any type of genre, any type of pairing.
Become a Beta Reader
Want to become a Beta Reader yourself?
Welcome to The Noir Zone of Season2Ep14.net - This zone exists mainly because I happen to think that the Film Noir genre of the 1930-50's, as well as the slew of more modern films with Noir elements, happens to be the best thing ever. And as one of the best things ever, I'd like to see more of it in your Buffy'verse fic.
One of the very first Film Noir's that I watched was The Big Sleep (1946) starring Humphry Bogart and Lauren Bacall. To this day the fast moving plot, the Whedonesque snappy dialogue, and the undeniable chemistry of Bogart and Bacall (who married in real life soon after filming) make it one of my favourite films in the genre. Infact, one of my favourite films of all time.
It just goes to show that you don't need special effects, or even colour to make a riveting film. More contemporary films like Dick Tracy (1990), which manages to survive having Madonna cast as the femme fatale, L.A. Confidential(1997) and Sin City(2005) also rock my suitably noirish socks.
This site, Season2ep14.net
and the scripting behind it is the creation of Ben.
He happens to think that the Buffy'verse and Film Noir go hand in hand.
You can visit him here, where
he rambles on a mostly daily basis.
