I am very new to the whole concept of fanfic, and I only discovered Buffy this past summer. I've been trying to not be annoying by asking questions that are already answered, but alas, I give up.

How does the whole beta thing work? How does one get someone to beta one's story?

I feel like I've wandered into another country after a couple of language classes and I half understand what is going on. I read the support section, and I still don't quite understand. Someone please wield a clue bat across my thick skull!

So awesome you joined the buffyverse fanfic world! If you want someone to  beta for you, jus go to the 'betalist' and read through it. If you find someone you think has the skills you need for your fic, just drop them an e-mail and ask. :) If they're too busy, simply e-mail someone else. You should probably tell them the theme of you fic as some authors don't want to beta PWP (Porn without Plot) or prefer Human fics (Buffy and Spike are both human) to the canon ones (Buffy is the Slayer and Spike is a vamp). Personally, I prefer two betas- one to focus on grammar and sentence structure and the other on characterization and plot (holes).

Not sure if that helped, but I sure hope it did at least a little bit. :)

I am very new to the whole concept of fanfic, and I only discovered Buffy this past summer. I've been trying to not be annoying by asking questions that are already answered, but alas, I give up.

How does the whole beta thing work? How does one get someone to beta one's story?

I feel like I've wandered into another country after a couple of language classes and I half understand what is going on. I read the support section, and I still don't quite understand. Someone please wield a clue bat across my thick skull!

Welcome to the Buffyverse!  In addition to the beta list on here (which, we sincerely hope is being updated often, but I haven't checked lately), it's not a bad idea to join Live Journal and seek out some of the fic communities on there. (Seeking Spike, Seasonal Spuffy, sb_fag_ends, and so on) Once you've read and commented on several authors' work, and/or posted something of yours, you'll be expanding your friend list and can simply ask in your journal if anyone would like to beta such and such a type of story for you. Enemy's suggestions are good ones for directly seeking a specific beta. I'd also suggest, if you're going to be writing characters from another country, that you have someone from that country past whom you can run your dialogue. I think you'll find everyone is very willing to help out a newbie.

So awesome you joined the buffyverse fanfic world! If you want someone to  beta for you, jus go to the 'betalist' and read through it. If you find someone you think has the skills you need for your fic, just drop them an e-mail and ask. :) If they're too busy, simply e-mail someone else. You should probably tell them the theme of you fic as some authors don't want to beta PWP (Porn without Plot) or prefer Human fics (Buffy and Spike are both human) to the canon ones (Buffy is the Slayer and Spike is a vamp). Personally, I prefer two betas- one to focus on grammar and sentence structure and the other on characterization and plot (holes).

Not sure if that helped, but I sure hope it did at least a little bit. :)

Thank you ever so much.

I swear, I'm getting old. I hit 39 and half the internet became incomprehensible. But I totally became addicted to BSV and Buffy this past summer, and I got inspired of late. Gotta do something during my time on commuter rail...

The Buffyverse Fan Fiction community is outstanding - it's wonderful to see a new writer - Good Luck with your work -

Hi Buffymeets.  We love newbies.  :)

Hi Buffymeets.  We love newbies.  :)

Thank you all for the nice welcome.

Now...anyone want a beta job? :-)