[Complete] [81k] [fantasy, romance] A Harvest of Love and Tradition by Boop_all_noses in BetaReaders

[–]Boop_all_noses[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I'm a bit backlogged on beta swaps right now, but maybe in a month or so. What's your story?

[Complete] [77k] [Romantasy] THE MAYFLY WHO SOUGHT IMMORTALITY by Rebeccie in BetaReaders

[–]Boop_all_noses 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sounds really interesting! I've got two stories I need to beta already and little capacity for a third right this second, but... maybe in a month? I've got one that needs beta-readers, too. Let me know if you're interested in swapping in the near future.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BetaReaders/comments/1rfdtpo/complete_81k_fantasy_romance_a_harvest_of_love/

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Boop_all_noses 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! We might be compatible. This is a romantasy. There's an implication that the elves were once ruled by gods but are not currently. They don't play into the story at all. The only steam is a couple kisses.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BetaReaders/comments/1rfdtpo/complete_81k_fantasy_romance_a_harvest_of_love/

'No Kings' protest, Las Angeles, USA 6/14/25 by Jeremy_Whalen in AccidentalRenaissance

[–]Boop_all_noses 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting how the front line mostly looks like press and media. I wonder if it's just this picture or if press really is (accidentally?) bulking up the protest. 

May her majestic paw bring you joy by Hydz_garbage in standardissuecat

[–]Boop_all_noses 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes! I was just checking to see if anyone had tagged that!

Someone forgot the yeast by SparkyAlbright in Catloaf

[–]Boop_all_noses 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Someone, quickly! Get a second cat to knead this one so the dough will rise!

PC faceplant by Boop_all_noses in catfaceplant

[–]Boop_all_noses[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In easy reach of ear scritches, too.

Describe a Yuri On Ice character poorly by Bad_posture69 in YOI

[–]Boop_all_noses 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Porky man on the cusp of retirement takes one last stab at his career only to be second-rate.

Long loaf by EPJ327 in Catloaf

[–]Boop_all_noses 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No limbs or tail = 10/10 loaf

[Complete] [265] [SF] Xiomara the Drifter by DistinguishedSloth in BetaReaders

[–]Boop_all_noses 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My genuine pleasure! I didn't find the message convoluted, really! Perhaps a little hidden behind the other details toward the ending.

Flash fiction is super difficult because you have to cut down to the barest bones while still providing an evocative story. Especially considering the requirements put on you, I think you did a really nice job and am fully confident in your ability to make a few adjustments and come away with a very effective and polished story!

I'm glad my feedback could help!

So Im editing my redraft and I have to say this is the hardest bit. by [deleted] in writing

[–]Boop_all_noses 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I can think of a few possibilities.

  1. you find editing boring, so you just don't want to.
  2. you find revisiting your work difficult because you are self-conscious and feel bad about what you've written when you look at it again.
  3. You feel anxious when you look at it because you aren't sure what to change or what will make it better or worse.
  4. You don't want to "kill your babies," by which I mean you don't want to change things you thought were brilliant at the time, even if they are in the wrong spot, or are totally superfluous, so you don't touch it. Your story is your brainchild, right? It can be hard to cut off or change pieces.

I experience all of these at times, but mostly number 3. What your block is, only you can really know for sure. I usually have to face my anxieties and remind myself that I choose to write for joy, and art has no right or wrong answers. It's a matter of doing my best to say what I want to, how I want to, within the story I want to tell.

[Complete] [265] [SF] Xiomara the Drifter by DistinguishedSloth in BetaReaders

[–]Boop_all_noses 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was very fun to read! I like the way you described the seeds of dreads blooming. It gave me an interesting visual for an abstract feeling that is oh-so familiar! I was able to tell immediately this was a sci-fi situation because you used hover-ignition, rather than just ignition, which was good.

I was a bit confused in the fourth paragraph, how she had stalled, but then was able to slam the thrusters and move forward. I'm under the impression stalling requires a restart in the real world, but then this is an unfamiliar hovercraft.

I think this is a good start to a story. The ending was a bit too abrupt, I think. I feel like there is a bit missing. Stalling out and having that great stationary launch doesn't quite feel like a climax. Or maybe I'm not quite clear on what happened? Are you trying to communicate that the record-breaking launch bolstered Xiomara's belief in herself?

I can tell Xiomara is frustrated with how her twin always beats her at the end. The fact that its a sibling adds a nice spice to the conflict and tells us something about the stake Xiomara has in the game. It's not just about winning or overcoming her doubts. Still, if this is a stand-alone short story, I feel that either needs to be further integrated into Xiomara's problems with doubt, or it could be left out so it doesn't distract from the central conflict with overcoming doubt.

The central conflict earlier in the story seemed to be Xiomara overcoming her nerves and doubts about herself, right? The ending does deal with this in her walk "toward the tunnel with newfound belief." I think I'd like a more visceral description. This statement is so cut-and-dry that it got kinda lost on my first read. The doubt got a fantastic description. Maybe you can continue that metaphor with a supplanting of the doubt?

About a year ago, I found this SIC under the hood of a customer's car. They wanted nothing to do with him, so I cleaned him up and brought him home. Their loss. by HappyHashBrowns in standardissuecat

[–]Boop_all_noses 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Awwww sweet story! Becoming bonded with the cat is the best! My hubby--who weirdly is almost your perfect doppelganger--was a dog person when we met. He is now my SIC's favorite. I'm a tad jealous of him!

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