Anybody wanna be my beta reader?

[cowboyguy]

So I just thought I'd give this a shot and see if anyone on my flist is interested in helping a crazy writer gal.

I'm working on this story for my creative writing class, and I would love to have someone to bounce ideas off of and help me with the plot of the story, because it's kind of driving me crazy. The basic setup is these two brothers in their twenties just after their mother has died. Edward, the older brother, has to come home and deal with his mother's funeral and taking care of his autistic brother, Oliver. I'm absolutely in love with the story, but it's also kind of driving me crazy because
a) I don't write in first person a lot, and I'm doing that for this one
b) I'm still getting to know these characters and their personalities
c) I'm desperately trying to avoid turning into a cliche, or Rain Man, or something...

So, would anyone be interested in helping me out? Or even just reading through what I have of the story so far and telling me what you think?

Comments

[myloveshine.livejournal.com]

:B I'd like to help you out, if you want it! If you want to talk to me, you still have my AIM, right?

Do you have to write in first-person? If you aren't as familiar with it, maybe you shouldn't do it. Myself, I don't like first-person and that's why I stay away from it in the first place.

[cowboyguy.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, yay! Yeah, I have your AIM. I can email you the story, too, if you want.

And no, I don't have to write in first person, but I haven't done it a lot, so I thought it would be a fun challenge to try to write it. Also, I kind of liked the contrast between the older brother being a 1st person narrator, and the autistic brother not, because you really can't get inside his head and know what he's thinking...

[myloveshine.livejournal.com]

That'd probably be better, huh? You can email me with it at toxiclovex@hotail.com. :D

I have to agree with you on that one. I guess it just takes time getting used to writing in first person.

[mizunoseiryuu.livejournal.com]

I suck as a beta reader, but in general, if you're choosing to write in first person and are having a problem really 'getting' the character, keep a journal for him. It doesn't have to be related to the story at all, but something in his voice that would reflect a normal day for him. And, of course, research, research, research. The mother of a friend of mine knows one of the men that Dustin Hoffman studied when working on his role of Raymond. Umm... yeah. And of course, good luck!

[cowboyguy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've tried to do the journal thing before for other characters, but I haven't done that for him yet. Maybe I'll try it.
Thanks for the luck! I need it. ^_^

[dollykat.livejournal.com]

[cowboyguy.livejournal.com]

Heehee. Cute! ^_^ Thanks!