Request for French-speaking Beta Reader(s) for long Romance

[joeyjax]

Looking for a beta-reader with strong skills in conversational French. I have some characters who speak to each other in French, and sometimes mix in a little bit of French when speaking in English. I want it to sound natural and not forced in by a non-native speaker (even though that's exactly what I am).

The story is a slow-burn romance that I was originally intending to enter into the "Love the Ones Your With" (Covid-themed) story event but two things happened. First, I didn't finish the story in time and second, my wife actually caught Covid. The latter put a real damper on me wanting to finalize and submit the story at all, not knowing how anything would turn out. Fortunately, she endured a week and a half of misery and other than fatigue, she's thankfully on the mend.

Anyway, the story is long (>50K words or ~14 Lit pages), so for the French conversation parts, I'd be happy to highlight them, if that helps someone with French language skills who'd be willing to just review those parts. I'd be really grateful for any help there.

But I'd also like to have a beta reader read the story overall (with or without any knowledge of French) and help me either identify unnecessary bits, or assure me the length is appropriate/needed for the story's development.

Again, this is a pretty sappy Romance, riding on a current of some pretty heavy topics. If you want to get a feel for my writing style, you can check out my Wine and Spirits story first (which is MUCH shorter than this one).

Thanks for your consideration!
-JJ

P.S. I'm not requesting or expecting an Editor at this point, since the story is so long. Once I feel like the story's actually ready to go, then I'll probably look for an Editor.

 

[oggbashan]

You might get a better response in the French Language forum, even though that is rarely visited.

 

[joeyjax]

You might get a better response in the French Language forum, even though that is rarely visited.

Thanks, Ogg. I’ll try there as well.
-JJ

 

[YDB95]

I can have a look if you want. I spent two years in Paris and the locals told me my French was tres bien.

 

[joeyjax]

I can have a look if you want. I spent two years in Paris and the locals told me my French was tres bien.

Thanks YDB95,
Let me finish a little bit of cleanup over the next few days and I'll PM to get a copy for you to review. Do you want me to try to highlight the paragraphs with French in them, so you don't have to read the entire long story?

Thanks again!
-JJ

 

[YDB95]

No, that's okay, I like to read the whole thing. And I do love long romances!

 

[Anahiya]

Argh. Too bad I missed this request by a few days. I'm French, a French teacher even, and I love foreign languages and translation (and yes, slow-burn romances too), so I'd be happy to help if it turns out YDB95 isn't available after all (I don't doubt their French is très bien )

Ana, new to the forum but long-standing reader

 

[29wordsforsnow]

Argh. Too bad I missed this request by a few days. I'm French, a French teacher even, and I love foreign languages and translation (and yes, slow-burn romances too), so I'd be happy to help if it turns out YDB95 isn't available after all (I don't doubt their French is très bien )

Ana, new to the forum but long-standing reader

I'm pretty sure another set of eyes, another proof- and betareader is always welcome when it comes to longer stories. Finding one is quite hard, but even two willing to read through...sounds like 'Jackpot'

 

[joeyjax]

Many thanks to YDB95, 29wordsforsnow and Anahiya for beta-reading/editing my story. I just submitted it for publishing!

You all helped in your own way, sometimes finding the same things, often finding different things. The story, I think, I so much better with your input.

Merci beaucoup!!
JJ

 

[Anahiya]

You're very welcome, Mais je t'en prie!

As you know, it was a real pleasure and an unexpected surprise to discover your stories. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to beta-read [secret name of said slow-burn romance].

 

[29wordsforsnow]

You're very welcome, Mais je t'en prie!

As you know, it was a real pleasure and an unexpected surprise to discover your stories. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to beta-read [secret name of said slow-burn romance].

C'était un grand honneur pour moi.

I loved it too and know now how to use Google Translator, thanks.