Honestly? Mal is probably one of the most complex character to write out of all the BDHs, since he really doesn't stick to one major characteristic. He can quip and banter like Wash, go all self-oriented like Jayne, spout wisdom like Book and be selfless like Simon. Though he can't quite match Kaylee's sunshine-like optimism, Inara's wilese River's Cassandra-like presence;)

And I wouldn't get too smackdown-happy about LJ flanfics, biggrstaffbunch. Not every one can hit a home run on their frist shot, so there's gonna be some rather painful stuff to slog through. It's how an author's track record changes over time that really says something, IMO. Though there is quite a lot of dreck done by people who are only putting in minimal effort too.

I would offer to help...but my turnaround time is abysmal right now and I dunno how well I could do in getting Mal's voice right. Certainly happy to take a peak at it once you got some stuff written:D

BEB

Mal4prez is such an awesome person to have look at your stuff because she's very good at being critical. For those who can't handle such things, she's probably not the best for you, but I love it. She's helped me loads. I'm sure she's dreading the day I send her the 110 page sequel I just finished . . .LOL!

Anyway, I couldn't even begin to help you with Mal characterization, but I wish you the best of luck. It's hard to get characterization of him right without making him sound too hickish - like Kaylee.

I really like how you write, and how you get into a characters head and make them sound right. I'm not sure I'll read any of your non-cannon pairings but we'll have to see what mood I'm in when I see them posted! Getting the characterization right for those is essential, and something SO few writers are able to do:) But, you're a good writer, so I bet you can make a good stab at it.

See, you got a huge response to your blog! And you expected nothing. Feh! :P Hopefully, buried in some of these comments is something you were looking for! :)

Flattery will get you everywhere...

LOL! Just kidding - I meant to post a reply before I got to that part of your blog! But thanks for the mention (thanks Chaz too!) A nice pick me up on a blah kind'a day.

So... I tentatively raise my hand... I like how you write, and your subject matter, and I'm curious to give your stuff a read. Besides, I kind'a owe you, after I hijacked your thread so badly LOL!

Anyway, I'm not the best at turnaround time, but I'm chock full of all kinds of opinions about writing Mal and I'll do what I can! Drop me a line: mal4prez at hotmail.com

Hi there-

Check out this thread, here:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=20967

for a list of people who can beta for you. I think that's what you are asking for.
I beta for Chazzer- and that chick's a writing machine...so I can't volunteer for you. Check that thread and see if anyone matches closely with you.

Good Luck!

Record: most people don't know how to review. I think I'm ascending from those ranks very slowly, with my living at Whofic and all, but... What I see about Mal is he can be a hard person to write, but he writes like an older character sometimes; he's seen the hardship of the world(s) and lived through losing everything he had. But then, like Joss says, he can do that kind of stuff, but for crying out loud tell a joke. Mal's good for that - it's possible to stick him in the worst situations, and he'll start acting like Wash and say something silly. He does that well. Wit and banter are generally separate with him, from what I see, 'cos he doesn't always think highly enough for wit, but is quick for a quip anyway.

If any of the above helps and/or made sense, I give the assistance I can. (Now I've said that, I, too, am in a fanfiction writer's block that would probably just be cured by sitting down at the computer with all of it on it (currently unplugged, yeah...) and writing.)

OK what the smack is kl stry?? ( ok I do get it's cool story, but I mean PLEASE)

Of course we read these things!

I have to say I agree about the fandom thing. So many people who don't put any effort into stories, and get a bunch of reviews from people who are on auto-review. (You know, the ones who write 'This iz so gd update soon i lv it' on EVERY single fic they read.

On one of my HP fics that I SLAVED over, I got the following review:

'kl stry'

NO JOKE. They couldn't even be arsed spelling 'cool' properly. Or 'story,' for that matter. Ach.

Okay, rant over.

I'd love to help you, but I've had some comments on my Mal being OoC, so I probably won't be much help. I, too, find him really hard to write.

Saying that, if after you've written something you want a second opinion on how in-character it is before posting, I'd be only too happy to give it a look.

But you're probably better off waiting for someone who can actually help you, as oppposed to someone who is trying to but actually can't, LOL.

If it helps at all, I loved your Mal in Moving in a Non-Linear Fashion.

Thanks for the shout out, btw, and gotta agree that Mal4Prez is all kinds of talented.

wow, long response.

Chaz xx