Requesting a beta and an opinion

Requesting a beta and an opinion by World-Jumper on 2013-02-06 20:19:00 UTC

I have a question... by DawnFire on 2013-02-12 20:37:00 UTC Reply

...and since it's related, I'll ask it here.

I'm working my way up to asking for permission (unless people think it's too early for me to do that? If so, please let me know, and I'll wait a little longer before finishing working up to it), and after a lot of waffling (unfortunately sans breakfast foods) I've managed to decide on two permission pieces. However, this decision does raise some questions, such as:

1. Is it possible to use two permission pieces? Each one is one page long (approximately 500 words), and they are very different in style, tone, and genre. Both are original works, and give a stronger impression of my writing together than they do individually, in my opinion.

2. Can a speech be used as a permission piece? The one I'm talking about is humorous, and is written to showcase the character giving it. It's more of a monologue than a speech, and has only one stage direction. It was well-received when I read it aloud in the Writer's Craft class I wrote it for, and it still amuses me, which is part of why I'm considering it. The only bit I'm worried about is that, being a speech, it doesn't really give a sense of narrative, which is why I want to submit it along with a more purely narrative piece.

If anyone has answers, please share them :)

~DawnFire

I have answers :) by the Irish Samurai on 2013-02-13 15:35:00 UTC Reply

Obviously I'm not a Permission Giver, so if one of them comes along later and disagrees with what I say, it might be worth listening to them, seeing as they know quite a lot about this whole 'getting Permission' thing.

First off, it's never too early to start working towards something. I think there used to be something about waiting 'about 1 month or so', but that seems to have disappeared (or I'm just making it up). Even if that did exist, it was still just a guideline, the important things were to make sure that at least some of the PGs recognised your name, and that you felt that you were ready. That first one is a little tricky to determine, but the Permission Self-Check should help with the second.

As far as I'm aware, there's no reason why you can't use two writing samples if you don't think you've got one that shows off everything you want. I'm not sure if anyone has done it before, but I'm pretty sure I've seen PGs ask for a second sample if they felt that the first didn't give them enough info/detail to make a decision, so it's the same sort of principle.

Again, as far as I'm aware, there's no reason why you can't use a speech as part of a Permission Request. As you've pointed out, it's possibly an unusual format, and has potential issues with regards to determining story-writing ability, in which case pairing it up with a narrative piece seems like the logical solution.

Good luck with your Request, whenever it is that you make it.

Drop it by me. by Desdendelle on 2013-02-08 11:21:00 UTC Reply

Mail is sur DOT nhm AT gmail DOT com. Just please do it today or tomorrow morning tops, because I have to return to the army at Sunday.

Sent! Thanks, and stay safe. (nm) by World-Jumper on 2013-02-08 21:17:00 UTC Reply

I'd be happy to beta, if you'd like by Apricot on 2013-02-07 19:11:00 UTC Reply

I'm hermione of vulcan's sister, and I beta her work. I've been pretty busy, but I should be able to fit it in. This myth sounds interesting, though you can send me both. My email is fun2crochet@gmail.com. I'm looking forward to reading your work, and probably later on some missions!

Sent the Myth! (nm) by World-Jumper on 2013-02-07 21:30:00 UTC Reply

Recieved by Apricot on 2013-02-09 02:12:00 UTC Reply

I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

My favorite permission piece ever... by VixenMage on 2013-02-07 03:29:00 UTC Reply

...had absolutely nothing to do with the PPC. It was hilarious, and awesome, and even though we never saw the character again I think everyone rather liked him.

So choose something that demonstrates your writing style, something you feel comfortable with, and something with enough of a length to get a feel for - not twenty pages, and not half a page. You don't have to choose something with a sense of humor, though it'd be nice to demonstrate that you can indeed use humor. You don't have to introduce your agents, either.

Whatever works for you, dude.

Do you happen to know if that peice still exists? by World-Jumper on 2013-02-07 03:55:00 UTC Reply

Sounds interesting, at very least it would be a good read.

You know, I think I may use the myth anyway, but I'll wait and see what the Irish Samuri has to say on the matter. I'll use whatever he thinks is the better peice, and if that's the myth, then fine.

*collects the mini-Boarder and feeds it bacon* (nm) by the Irish Samurai on 2013-02-11 20:15:00 UTC Reply
I'm sure it does. by VixenMage on 2013-02-07 06:23:00 UTC Reply

Where it is, I have no idea. One of the other PGs probably remembers - it involved a video game boss, and secret doors, and, IIRC, a desert.

*piece
*Samurai

(I am not trying to go after you or put you down here, but please get in the habit of spell-checking your posts. Seeing repeated misspellings on the 'Board does not fill me with confidence about grammar, spelling, or the willingness to take time and fix them.)

Would you be referring to this piece by any chance? by the Irish Samurai on 2013-02-11 20:22:00 UTC Reply

http://cyba-zero.livejournal.com/690.html

WOW. That's REALLY good. Extremely creative, too. (nm) by DawnFire on 2013-02-12 13:17:00 UTC Reply
Okay, that? Is really good. by Huinesoron on 2013-02-12 08:15:00 UTC Reply

Thank you Irish Samurai and VixenMage for drawing my attention to it; it was worth the read.

hS
I would indeed! by VixenMage on 2013-02-11 23:00:00 UTC Reply

Thank you!

Assuming that newbies can beta... by son_of_heaven176 on 2013-02-07 03:08:00 UTC Reply

I'll be happy to beta-read the meeting of the two agents. And BTW, I think that the meeting of the agents would count as a PPC story; even though they have not done a mission yet, the meeting would still have to be set in HQ, right?

Trust me, by the Irish Samurai on 2013-02-07 04:08:00 UTC Reply

Agents meeting each other is fine for a Permission piece, that's what I used for mine.

There's a rather excellent and informative page on the wiki about all aspects of asking for Permission. 4.2 gives the relevant details in this case.

Ah, excellent, I feel better now. by World-Jumper on 2013-02-07 04:23:00 UTC Reply

I did read the wiki article, numerous times even. I just thought the piece fell just on that line that I was hesitant and wanted to be sure. Well, that makes things a little easier, but please do continue to read both. If you think the myth is the better piece, then I'll use that, but now I know I can use the meeting without fear.

No problem, just give me a e-mail adress and I'll send it.. by World-Jumper on 2013-02-07 03:48:00 UTC Reply

As for your point, yeah, that was my fear, but I hope it does not count. If it does, oh well, I have my myth as backup.

As I recall... by firemagic on 2013-02-07 03:01:00 UTC Reply

Your permission piece doesn't have to be about the PPC - it CAN be, and a lot of times it's used to set up agents, but it's certainly not required. Neither, really, is being funny, so as long as your myth is well-written it'll be fine.

See, that's what I thought by World-Jumper on 2013-02-07 03:18:00 UTC Reply

I knew the myth could work, I just was not sure if the agents meeting one would, as it may technicaly be a PPC fic, though I don't think so. Still, the risk is there, so I am not sure. As for my fears of the myth, I know it could work, but the wiki mentioned it being better if it was humorous, so that was my only reservation. Anyway, thanks for the information.

Offering Beta services and an opinion by the Irish Samurai on 2013-02-07 02:39:00 UTC Reply

Sure, I'll beta for you, and I can take a look at both the pieces you have in mind. My e-mail is samurai_ireland@hotmail.com

As far as I'm aware the meeting of agents is fine to use, and Permission just refers to writing actual PPC missions (in fact, I think the 'agents meeting each other for the first time' type story is one of the more common ones to use for Permission pieces).

Sent! Thanks for the help. (nm) by World-Jumper on 2013-02-07 02:54:00 UTC Reply

Received. by the Irish Samurai on 2013-02-07 04:15:00 UTC Reply

I should be able to take a look at it and come back with comments sometime over the next couple of days.