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THE WATERCOOLER

Quality of Writing and Editing

Hi editors,

I have a few criticisms about the quality of writing in Literotica fiction and I hope you can take them in the constructive spirit in which they are meant.

Now, I enjoy reading erotic fiction and think this is the best site on which to find it. My enjoyment is often marred, though, by the low standard of English in which the stories are written. Spelling's no big deal to me, but the grammar, the syntax is often appalling. I didn't realise until now that the author's submissions were edited; if have to say that many a story shows little sign of editorial quality control - indeed, they often appear not even to have been read through by the authors before submission.

Why does this matter? It matters because (a) poor, sloppy sentences often confuse, forcing readers to re-read them in order to wrest the meaning, (b) are often unintentionally hilarious, and (c) detract from the reader's enjoyment of the story. I have found many a great tale on Literotica whose impact is weakened by poor, writing.

Oh, and while, like I said, spelling's no big beef of mine, here's a bugbear: the confusion of 'you're' and 'your', since it displays lack of the grammatical understanding which any half-decent writer needs.

While I haven't submitted any stories (yet, though may do in the not-too-distant), I would be happy to do a bit of story editing for you, if you think I can be of any help.

Thanks for reading this. I do hope you'll give it some thought and get back to me.

Sam (samfunboy89).
 
samfunboy89 said:
Hi editors,

I have a few criticisms about the quality of writing in Literotica fiction and I hope you can take them in the constructive spirit in which they are meant.

Now, I enjoy reading erotic fiction and think this is the best site on which to find it. My enjoyment is often marred, though, by the low standard of English in which the stories are written. Spelling's no big deal to me, but the grammar, the syntax is often appalling. I didn't realise until now that the author's submissions were edited; if have to say that many a story shows little sign of editorial quality control - indeed, they often appear not even to have been read through by the authors before submission.

Why does this matter? It matters because (a) poor, sloppy sentences often confuse, forcing readers to re-read them in order to wrest the meaning, (b) are often unintentionally hilarious, and (c) detract from the reader's enjoyment of the story. I have found many a great tale on Literotica whose impact is weakened by poor, writing.

Oh, and while, like I said, spelling's no big beef of mine, here's a bugbear: the confusion of 'you're' and 'your', since it displays lack of the grammatical understanding which any half-decent writer needs.

While I haven't submitted any stories (yet, though may do in the not-too-distant), I would be happy to do a bit of story editing for you, if you think I can be of any help.

Thanks for reading this. I do hope you'll give it some thought and get back to me.

Sam (samfunboy89).
Click to expand...

Hello Sam and welcome to the EF,

Unfortunately your comments are not done at the right place. You're preaching to the choir with your comments here. You see, we the VE (Volunteer editors) are all for quality control on stories but there is little we can do.

We cannot force writers to ask for our help;
Writers are NOT obligated to use our service and we cannot do anything about the ones who don't want to use us.

You'll notice that the stories who ARE edited show much more consistency with language, spelling, grammar and syntax. Some writers don't feel the need to use an editor for whatever reasons they have and even when writers use editors they retain all rights to use our suggestions or not. There is NO way that we (the VE) can ensure they use the proper way of writing and, honestly, I'm not sure we'd want to even if we could.

You also have to understand that the VE are a complete different thing from Lit's reviewers. Lit's reviewers have all the power when comes the time to decide if a story is suitable for posting or not and they don't ask us (the VE) if we have gone through aforementioned story or not.

So, to make a long story short. We the VE do what we can to make sure that stories we edit don't have any errors anymore but it's out of our hands if they are posted with our edits or not.
 
You're preaching to the choir

samfunboy89 said:
Hi editors,

I have a few criticisms about the quality of writing in Literotica fiction and I hope you can take them in the constructive spirit in which they are meant.

Now, I enjoy reading erotic fiction and think this is the best site on which to find it. My enjoyment is often marred, though, by the low standard of English in which the stories are written. Spelling's no big deal to me, but the grammar, the syntax is often appalling. I didn't realise until now that the author's submissions were edited; if have to say that many a story shows little sign of editorial quality control - indeed, they often appear not even to have been read through by the authors before submission.

Why does this matter? It matters because (a) poor, sloppy sentences often confuse, forcing readers to re-read them in order to wrest the meaning, (b) are often unintentionally hilarious, and (c) detract from the reader's enjoyment of the story. I have found many a great tale on Literotica whose impact is weakened by poor, writing.

Oh, and while, like I said, spelling's no big beef of mine, here's a bugbear: the confusion of 'you're' and 'your', since it displays lack of the grammatical understanding which any half-decent writer needs.

While I haven't submitted any stories (yet, though may do in the not-too-distant), I would be happy to do a bit of story editing for you, if you think I can be of any help.

Thanks for reading this. I do hope you'll give it some thought and get back to me.

Sam (samfunboy89).
Click to expand...

The woman who responded to you is one of the people I respect the most, and I have been an assistant editor to her in the past (I've also been a newspaper editor).

The problem, I think, is mainly finding editors who have the time and the patience to get through the stories. My eyes water at Apostrophes Gone Wild (you cited the worst of them in the you're/your controversy, but there are many others, particularly "its/it's) and possessives on names). Commas also turn up in strange places. Sentences run on. Paragraph breaks turn up in strange places. And on and on and on. You'd be surprised at how much a grammar-check program misses, or argues about when the writer is pretty sure of the sentence's correctness.

Editors do get discouraged. I've only had one editor, LadyCibelle, for my work, but she has I don't know how many writers she works for. The good ones are going to be swamped with stories. If you feel you can become an editor yourself, I suggest you sign up for the Volunteer Editors list and see what you can do.

Are you Commonwealth of Nations? (realise). You may want to find out your author's country of origin and set your spelling/grammar checker for the English of that person's home country. I'm United States and LadyCibelle is Canadian, and there are many United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand authors among the top ones.

Best wishes,

Captain Midnight
 
Editing for Literotica

Many thanks indeed to the two editors who replied with such helpful answers to my recent post about the quality of writing on Literotica. I learned a lot from your answers, especially that (1) authors don't have to submit their work for editing, it's voluntary, and (2) nor need they accept any editorial amendments. The work of a VE must indeed feel sometimes like a thankless task!

I had not heard of the Lit's Reviewers before and am grateful to LadyCibelle for drawing this to my attention. They, it seems, wield the power to include or reject any submissions and it is unfortunate that they do not consult the editors. I take the point about preaching to the choir.

Nonetheless, I shall put myself forward as a VE and at least give it a go. If you have any further thoughts, to add to the existing thoughts, please post. Thanks once again.

Sam.
 
re recent posts about editing and quality of English

Just a post to let you know that I am now a newly-registered VE and ask your advice on how to get a few submissions coming my way, since there are so many VE’s on the list. Could you perhaps suggest the names of some authors who welcome editorial help, regularly send submissions to VE’s and tend to act on advice where they feel improves their work (in short, writers who are a pleasure, not a pain or waste of time, to edit). Finally, as a well-established VE, perhaps from time to time you find yourself rather inundated; if so, please feel free to lighten your load by forwarding submissions to me for editing. (Though I see you might want to satisfy yourself first that I am a competent VE.)

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help you feel able to give,
Sam.
 
Re: recent posts re Editing and quality of English

Just a post to let you know that I am now a newly-registered VE and ask your advice on how to get a few submissions coming my way, since there are so many VE’s on the list. Could you perhaps suggest the names of some authors who welcome editorial help, regularly send submissions to VE’s and tend to act on advice where they feel improves their work (in short, writers who are a pleasure, not a pain or waste of time, to edit). Finally, as a well-established VE, perhaps from time to time you find yourself rather inundated; if so, please feel free to lighten your load by forwarding submissions to me for editing. (Though I see you might want to satisfy yourself first that I am a competent VE.)

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help you feel able to give,
Sam.
 
Looks like its been quiet in here for a while.


WAKE THE FUCK UP EVERYONE!!! IT'S TIME FOR WATERCOOLER PARTY!!! :nana:

*phew* I feel better. That's been waiting to get out of me. Nothing like purging a little demon now and then ... :devil:

:cool:
 
Halo_n_horns said:
Looks like its been quiet in here for a while.


WAKE THE FUCK UP EVERYONE!!! IT'S TIME FOR WATERCOOLER PARTY!!! :nana:

*phew* I feel better. That's been waiting to get out of me. Nothing like purging a little demon now and then ... :devil:

:cool:
Click to expand...

If you're serving the booze and dancing on MY table :p; I'll all for partying with you, handsome. :kiss:
 
LadyCibelle said:
If you're serving the booze and dancing on MY table :p; I'll all for partying with you, handsome. :kiss:
Click to expand...
Open bar, baby!!! As long as you don't mind my Speedo thong with the little red tassels, I'll be all over your table in the worst ways. :D

:cool:
 
There are a lot of things going on in my fevered mind at the moment...

I've been an editor for several a couple days now but haven't had anything to edit.

I'm waiting for my first submitted story to be approved or rejected so I can find out whether or not I'm as clever as I think I am.;)

I just finished watching two episodes of THE AVENGERS and one episode of NCIS. As a result, I am presently trying to imagine a woman who has Linda Thorson's eyes and legs, Cote de Pablo's lips and hair, and Lauren Holly's breasts. It's not an altogether unpleasant mental pursuit, to be sure.

For the second straight day, Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and the Indianapolis Colts are NFL Champions. Though I'm not from Indy, it remains a good feeling.

I have to go back to work tomorrow after five days off. I'm not looking forward to it, and the five inches of snow outside don't make the prospect any more appealing.
 
DonFox said:
There are a lot of things going on in my fevered mind at the moment...

I've been an editor for several a couple days now but haven't had anything to edit.

I'm waiting for my first submitted story to be approved or rejected so I can find out whether or not I'm as clever as I think I am.;)

I just finished watching two episodes of THE AVENGERS and one episode of NCIS. As a result, I am presently trying to imagine a woman who has Linda Thorson's eyes and legs, Cote de Pablo's lips and hair, and Lauren Holly's breasts. It's not an altogether unpleasant mental pursuit, to be sure.

For the second straight day, Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and the Indianapolis Colts are NFL Champions. Though I'm not from Indy, it remains a good feeling.

I have to go back to work tomorrow after five days off. I'm not looking forward to it, and the five inches of snow outside don't make the prospect any more appealing.
Click to expand...


If you're still looking for something to edit, it appears that RonClarkeson has a lots o' pages.
 
CopyCarver said:
If you're still looking for something to edit, it appears that RonClarkeson has a lots o' pages.
Click to expand...
Which reminds me (er... don't ask):

Thanks very much for the feedback you left :kiss: I appreciated it lots and it was very amusing to read :) :rose:
 
fieryjen said:
Which reminds me (er... don't ask):

Thanks very much for the feedback you left :kiss: I appreciated it lots and it was very amusing to read :) :rose:
Click to expand...


Feedback well-deserved. It was an excellent piece.
 
What gets on my nerves.....

I guess what gets on my nerves the most, is not being able to work as a nurse any longer. Thanks to a drunk driver. I not only lost my career, but a year later was diagnosed with the god awful disease called Fibromyalgia.
I am not whining though as I have found solace in my writing.....BEHIND every storm cloud there is a silver lining. :nana: :kiss: :rolleyes: :cool: :rose:
 
WAKE THE FUCK UP EVERYONE!!! IT'S TIME FOR WATERCOOLER PARTY!!! *phew* I feel better. That's been waiting to get out of me. Nothing like purging a little demon now and then
Click to expand...

PARTY TIME, hum. . . .Where's the drinks and music. . . I am ready to boogie! Sometimes I just cannot help myself I have to say what is on my mind. THE Devil made me do it. LOL! Kandie. :kiss: :rose: :devil: :heart:
 
Kandie Is Getting Much Better

Her stories are steadily improving, for reasons which I cannot possibly account, except for personal growth.

And certainly worthy of reading!
 
Hi, new to writing on literotica, new to editing as well.

Hope I can help others, and entertain with my stories.....
 
TitianaPeaks said:
Hi, new to writing on literotica, new to editing as well.

Hope I can help others, and entertain with my stories.....
Click to expand...

A warm welcome, TP. Wait, that just doesn't sound right, "TP". I don't know, I guess it will work. What the hell, I'm just one "S" short of being a total "ASS", LOL.

We're not a bad bunch, welcome to the block!

I don't usually frequent this forum until a kind lady suggested it to me. Of course I would never mention LadyC's name.

Your talents will be appreciated because there are many who would love to see their stories posted and are finding a backlog.

Would you please share a bit of yourself? Not prying, but what experience do you have that qualifies you as editor? The reason I ask is that we've seen many proclaim themselves as such, only to disappoint.

But not to worry! We're all quite excited! Warm huggss, and welcome to our community!
 
AsylumSeeker said:
A warm welcome, TP. Wait, that just doesn't sound right, "TP". I don't know, I guess it will work. What the hell, I'm just one "S" short of being a total "ASS", LOL.

We're not a bad bunch, welcome to the block!

I don't usually frequent this forum until a kind lady suggested it to me. Of course I would never mention LadyC's name.

Your talents will be appreciated because there are many who would love to see their stories posted and are finding a backlog.

Would you please share a bit of yourself? Not prying, but what experience do you have that qualifies you as editor? The reason I ask is that we've seen many proclaim themselves as such, only to disappoint.

But not to worry! We're all quite excited! Warm huggss, and welcome to our community!
Click to expand...

Bit about myself? Hmmm......I'm 29, female,married mother of 3 and the name I have was given to me by my husband. He made it up as my 'porn' name. To be fair, I named him Binky Slobberknob.

I qualify as an editor because I am a spelling nazi first; and a grammar nazi second. I also read through stories, and try to point out to the author what would have helped me understand what they are trying to say. I do compliment on what I like out of stories, as I am not always critical of other's works....editing is not meant to be destructive, but helpful...
 
Last edited:
TitianaPeaks said:
Bit about myself? Hmmm......I'm 29, female,married mother of 3 and the name I have was given to me by my husband. He made it up as my 'porn' name. To be fair, I named him Binky Slobberknob.

I qualify as an editor because I am a spelling nazi first; and a grammar nazi second. I also read through stories, and try to point out to the author what would have helped me understand what they are trying to say. I do compliment on what I like out of stories, as I am not always critical of other's works....editing is not meant to be destructive, but helpful...
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard, it's always great having more help!

I'll be truthful and admit I'm a bit weak in the grammar department. Think of me as a piano player that can play songs by ear but not read music. I know what sounds good but when faced with something I'm not sure of I never guess but seek help. Just wondering if I can use you as a resource.
 
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