Why is it...

[Grayson_James]

Seemingly so difficult to find a person to help you edit your stories? I have made numerous requests to numerous folks on the Editors list and have not recieved a single reponse. I am polite in my request. I just don't. Have any other authors here had this problem getting started?

 

[AvoidingRealWork]

Seemingly so difficult to find a person to help you edit your stories? I have made numerous requests to numerous folks on the Editors list and have not recieved a single reponse. I am polite in my request. I just don't. Have any other authors here had this problem getting started?

I wish I had the time to edit .

 

[tickledkitty]

Yes, it is hard to find someone at first. Most of the VEs are swamped and are reluctant to take on someone new.

Try posting in the Editor's Forum.

 

[Grayson_James]

Tickled,

I've posted in the Editors forum also. Just did one today as a matter of fatc, and another a couple of weeks ago. I decided for my first couple of stories to just submit them without editing. Maybe folks will read them, say they like them and someone will offer to help me with the editing part. I am a good, bad at editing, but good at writing.

 

[LoquaciousLady]

What wound up working for me was just to get to know some of the people here well enough that I eventually made a friend who offered his dab hand at editing my work. That was well after I'd gone down a half-dozen names on the VE list and gotten no responses.

If you have something ready for an editor right now, you can PM me and I'll give it a look. I'm good with spelling and grammar editing but useless with style and content development, which is why I haven't joined the ranks of the VEs already.

 

[tickledkitty]

How about hanging out here and posting a bit? Get to know some people. Once you're known it's not as difficult to find help when you need it.

Welcome.

 

[cloudy]

I just got your request today, and answered it. Check your email.

 

[Stella_Omega]

It's a difficult job, actually. I have the hardest time with it-- if I am asked for only proofreading, and I find that the author's writing skills need work, It's hard for me to avoid meddling. And if the author has asked for real crit-- sometimes it's hard to know where to start!

The last edit I undertook was really enjoyable, and most-of-the-way there, and I had NO time-- my author got pretty irritated...

 

[Grayson_James]

Lovin you right now, Cloudy.

 

[jomar]

It's a difficult job, actually. I have the hardest time with it-- if I am asked for only proofreading, and I find that the author's writing skills need work, It's hard for me to avoid meddling. And if the author has asked for real crit-- sometimes it's hard to know where to start!

The last edit I undertook was really enjoyable, and most-of-the-way there, and I had NO time-- my author got pretty irritated...

If that was mine, I wasn't irritated.

 

[fifty5]

Tickled,

I've posted in the Editors forum also. Just did one today as a matter of fatc, and another a couple of weeks ago. I decided for my first couple of stories to just submit them without editing. Maybe folks will read them, say they like them and someone will offer to help me with the editing part. I am a good, bad at editing, but good at writing.

I think that's a sensible idea. Editing can mean making a big commitment - and forcing schedules to fit makes it even harder. There needs to be powerful motive to take that on.

If there is something already posted, so a potential editor can read it and see how something good could be turned into something wonderful by using the editor's skills, might provide the motive required.

It also lets the editor decide if they would like working on the sort of stories you write.

But make the best job you possibly can of those first stories, to attract the best class of editor.

 

[Stella_Omega]

If that was mine, I wasn't irritated.

Nope-- this author took it all away from me!

(sorry, G)

I think that's a sensible idea. Editing can mean making a big commitment - and forcing schedules to fit makes it even harder. There needs to be powerful motive to take that on.

If there is something already posted, so a potential editor can read it and see how something good could be turned into something wonderful by using the editor's skills, might provide the motive required.

It also lets the editor decide if they would like working on the sort of stories you write.

And add a note at the beginning of the story, saying you'd would appreciate crit, and would listen to an editor's suggestions in order to repost...

 

[Grayson_James]

Thanks Stella, I will do that.

 

[FunwithRyleigh]

I have also looked for editors and have been unsuccessful. I was fortunate enough to come across someone willing to read my stories and make comments. However, I would love to have a real editor so that I don't feel like I'm imposing on my new friend.

My goal is to publish at some point, so I'm hoping to get several opinions and lots of input.

Anyone out there that edits - or would like to edit - please PM me.

Hugs all around!

 

[Grayson_James]

"Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away."

One of my favorite sayings. It was told to me and my wife on our wedding day by a good friend. I'd volunteer to edit for you, but I suck at it.

 

[FunwithRyleigh]

"Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away."

One of my favorite sayings. It was told to me and my wife on our wedding day by a good friend. I'd volunteer to edit for you, but I suck at it.

I love the quote, too, obviously. What a wonderful day to hear it, though. Makes it all the more special.

And, you know, even though I want someone that is great at the grammar part of things, it is nice just to hear - "Now, that is new..." or "That is way over used..." or "That was hawt!"

If you ever wanted to trade stories just to get a different perspective, please let me know.

 

[freshface]

Seemingly so difficult to find a person to help you edit your stories? I have made numerous requests to numerous folks on the Editors list and have not recieved a single reponse. I am polite in my request. I just don't. Have any other authors here had this problem getting started?

As others have already mentioned, finding an editor can be a challenge. I got a response from a VE who responded promptly but wasn't "in" to my genre. He wasn't comfortable giving me literary assistance, which was the help that my story really needed. My first story is Gay Male with some reluctance; finding a VE for that in the database is a challenge.

To find an editor who was interested in my genre, I went and looked at my favorite authors in that genre. My favorite stories tend to have good character development and interesting stories. I narrowed down the potential pool by looking at grammar and punctuation. It seemed reasonable that a good author who puts all of the commas in the right places either has a good editor, good language skills, or both. I contacted one of them and he offered to take a look.

It is amazing what a good editor can do for you. I sent him a six page story. He sent it back with five pages of comments. With that guidance, I wrote a much better second draft.

 

[Grayson_James]

Thanks Fresh, I appreciate. Ever since I made this post, I have had several people volunteer to look over my work. I guees my little bit of whining did some good! LOL