Hello

[gypsyrose26]

Greetings,
I am extremely new to writing outside of a notebook and am in need of an editor to give me a hand in this. I need an editor who is willing to put up with a first timer and not afraid of what I may write. It's all in my head after all. Please get back to me as soon as possible and thank you for your time.
Gypsy

 

[driphoney]

What's your story about? And can you please put up about 3 paragraphs to give the editors something more to go on. All editors do not edit all types of stories.

Good luck.

 

[_Lynn_]

Greetings,
I am extremely new to writing outside of a notebook and am in need of an editor to give me a hand in this. I need an editor who is willing to put up with a first timer and not afraid of what I may write. It's all in my head after all. Please get back to me as soon as possible and thank you for your time.
Gypsy

Adding a bit more information will help.

Give approximate word count and genre.
Mention what kind of help you expect.
Are you looking for a fast turn-around?
What writing program are you using?

What's your story about? And can you please put up about 3 paragraphs to give the editors something more to go on. All editors do not edit all types of stories.

Good luck.

This isn't necessary, and up to the author whether they want to show their work here.

 

[zebra2001uk]

Editor

I would be happy to assist you. Please read my resumee in List of Editors and if interested, drop me an IM

Zebra

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

In addition to the sage advice given by driphoney and MistressLynn you might get a better response if you switch on your Private Messages. Go to User CP (top left of this page) then click on Edit Options (in the left hand column) and then tick Enable Private Messaging in the second box down. Make sure that the next box down (Receive Private Messages only from Buddies and Moderators) is NOT ticked. Finally click Save Changes at the bottom of that page.

 

[Guest]

I have learned (through trial and error) that my best bet is to go to the list of editors in the sticky at the top and contact them direct. One or two have said that they are unavailable for personal reasons, but it helps me to feel like I am actively searching instead of "trolling" for an editor. Everyone that I ahve met on here has been very nice, and I now have two editors (One copy, and one literary). I just think that the way I did it happens to be more "polite" (if such a term applies).

Just my two cents.

~Paul

 

[CopperSkink]

I get both. On one hand, I like not having to look for people to edit for, so having a sticky for people to find me in is nice. On the other hand, when someone starts a thread for an editor to see, we, as editors, sometimes get free information on the story/author therin in case we're feeling choosy.

As Drip says, not everyone edits everything. I personally do, but I know quite well it can be a bitch finding someone to edit a piece about a woman reminiscing about all the times she shit herself in her high school days to her nephew while she's dumping a load in his toilet. A dump so severe that it makes his eyes water.

And, as Lynn states, it's nice to know the length of the story. Three thousand words is very unintimidating and easy to do, but an editor might be wanting something more like 20k he can sink his teeth into.

Then, again thanks to Lynn, we want to know what kind (there are usually two) of editing you want, so by letting us know whether you want predominatly copy editing or literary editing, we at least know you've read all the stickies.

Other than that, are you in a rush? Do you have all week? Do you want to get your story back edited and submit it without reading over the corrections, or you communicate with your editor three or four times a day about intricate details? How important is the story to you, how involved do you want your editor to be, and how many people are looking at the story?

Do you have college-level writing skills and do you edit your own work before you enlist the services of an editor, or do you need lessons in writing as you go?

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Okay, CS, I'm with you. I edit my own stories but I can present one to see if you can improve my writing.

 

[CopperSkink]

K. I copy edit my own, but I'm beyond being able to see if I've achieved "the big picture" with them, you know? Anything I put up (nothing to date) gets looked at by at least three other pairs of eyes first.

 

[driphoney]

This isn't necessary, and up to the author whether they want to show their work here.

I just saw this, and you're completely right. Guess I lost my head there for a second. Since I've seen a few editors ask for such a thing and I can see how it would give insight, I wasn't thinking of the other side of it. I wouldn't want to wave my stuff out here, either.

 

[_Lynn_]

I just saw this, and you're completely right. Guess I lost my head there for a second. Since I've seen a few editors ask for such a thing and I can see how it would give insight, I wasn't thinking of the other side of it. I wouldn't want to wave my stuff out here, either.

I think for the newer writers posting a few paragraphs here might be a bit intimidating, or stressful, is all. Asking for help is tough enough at times.

If I wanted to check a few paragraphs, I would have them PM me.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

I copy edit my own, ...

We all do that to a certain extent, but there is a strong tendency to see what you know is there, rather than what actually is there. If I look at things I wrote a while ago (say more than six months) I am quite sure that I will see typos I missed at the time.

 

[Guest]

You know, I have to agree with you Snooper. I currently have two stories in varied stages of editing. I couldn't see what the damn fuss was about until I let them sit for a few days. Once I had removed myself from the stories (or, disconnected), the errors stood out much clearer. And as far as posting a few paragraphs here, I wouldn't do it.

I am too afraid that errors would wind up locked into the forum for all time. Some are comfortable with it. I, however, am too new to do such a thing. But I will say it again, I believe that the BEST way to find a reliable editor is through the sticky at the top of the forum. breaking the editors up into who is available by month seems to work wonders. I would recommend picking a few editors though. Of the three I have picked, only one (Copperskink) has managed to return an edited copy. It's been a month in one case.

I'm not intentionally bashing editors. I understand that this is a free service. I only bring it up to point out that something may have come up to make them unavailable (this does eat into their personal time and family lives), and that submitting to a couple of editors (that KNOW about each other) at once allows you to have a greater propbability of getting edited copy back.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

You know, I have to agree with you Snooper. ...

What a sensible person you are!

... But I will say it again, I believe that the BEST way to find a reliable editor is through the sticky at the top of the forum. breaking the editors up into who is available by month seems to work wonders. I would recommend picking a few editors though. Of the three I have picked, only one (Copperskink) has managed to return an edited copy. It's been a month in one case. ...

That's regrettable. The idea of the monthly list was that it would identify those who really do have time available at that time. An editor who can't return a piece reasonably quickly should, as a matter of simple good manners, let the author know there is a hold up. I limit the amount of editing I take on to avoid these problems as far as possible.

 

[CopperSkink]

I'm having to restrain myself. I get offers, I make offers, and all of a sudden I've got ten pieces, all of which I said I'd get back in three days' time, and of course work and relationships and stuff have to sneak up on me. Suffice to say I'll be absent from December's sticky so that I can adjust to the schedule and make sure what authors I already have don't get terminally disgusted by my constant delays.

Speaking of which, I'm quite sure there's something that's been on the waiting list quite long enough; if you'll excuse me...

 

[Guest]

Snooper:

You know, it is regrettable that this happened (with the editors), but you know, I just kept lookng until I got feedback (not all of it positive). Now, I have an editor whom I am very happy with, who grades my work honestly, clarified what a gerund is (as well as a gerund phrase), isn't afraid to tell me when something doesn't work, and returns my work in a reasonable amount of time. So, no worries.

Besides, it didn't turn me off to writing, so...

~Paul

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I'm having to restrain myself. I get offers, I make offers, and all of a sudden I've got ten pieces, all of which I said I'd get back in three days' time, and of course work and relationships and stuff have to sneak up on me. Suffice to say I'll be absent from December's sticky so that I can adjust to the schedule and make sure what authors I already have don't get terminally disgusted by my constant delays.

Speaking of which, I'm quite sure there's something that's been on the waiting list quite long enough; if you'll excuse me...

I keep my plate small... measured doses, so to speak. I believe in maintaining contact with my writers, nearly daily updates starting with "I received your story" and continuing with updates. To keep writers wondering only incites frustration. I keep my writers abreast of progress, questions, as well as delays. To do otherwise is, in my mind, is selfish.

Just my thoughts.

 

[_Lynn_]

I'm having to restrain myself. I get offers, I make offers, and all of a sudden I've got ten pieces, all of which I said I'd get back in three days' time, and of course work and relationships and stuff have to sneak up on me. Suffice to say I'll be absent from December's sticky so that I can adjust to the schedule and make sure what authors I already have don't get terminally disgusted by my constant delays.

Speaking of which, I'm quite sure there's something that's been on the waiting list quite long enough; if you'll excuse me...

That many pieces, due in so short a time, means every one gets short-changed. A good editor doesn't push the work out. They'll take whatever time is necessary to do their best job on each story. That's the way to earn the respect of the authors.

Just my opinion.

 

[driphoney]

I think for the newer writers posting a few paragraphs here might be a bit intimidating, or stressful, is all. Asking for help is tough enough at times.

If I wanted to check a few paragraphs, I would have them PM me.

You're really right. I'm still overwrought with fear when I submit and I've gotten myself in knots over it. Can't believe I even suggested it, given my own fears.

 

[_Lynn_]

You're really right. I'm still overwrought with fear when I submit and I've gotten myself in knots over it. Can't believe I even suggested it, given my own fears.

Because it's easier to suggest something to someone else than it is to follow the advice ourselves.

 

[driphoney]

Because it's easier to suggest something to someone else than it is to follow the advice ourselves.

Also, I've seen several writers voluntarily put up a paragraph or two, so who know? Maybe I'm the only shy writer around these parts?

 

[_Lynn_]

Also, I've seen several writers voluntarily put up a paragraph or two, so who know? Maybe I'm the only shy writer around these parts?

Nope, you aren't the only shy one. I would guess the odds are in favor of those who prefer not to post that paragraph over those who do so on their own.

 

[CopperSkink]

Of course the important thing is to deliver the correct amount of change when editing. My authors usually recieve far more change than they need when dealing with me.

I don't mean to say that I work more quickly to finish off everything on my plate, only that I do sit down and work at all opposed to playing Yugioh, watching Hell's Kitchen, or watching my dogs wrestle (or should it be "restle" now?). I work fairly quickly when at all according to my (self-described) abilities. Anything less than my full effort would be shameful to those who bite the bullet and share the stories in their heads with others.

While we're on the topic of posting a few paragraphs, I think I'll dump a few of my own just to shake some balls loose. From "Guys at a Bar..."

My sister was home, thank God in Heaven and the angels above. She and I argued all through childhood, but things never got really bad with us. We went to high school together and everything without embarrassing each other; she's a senior now to my sophomore year in university. Being around her was much cooler once I got into college for some reason, either because I was more relaxed about life or because she was finally maturing, I didn't care. All I saw was that I had my boys at my side, an easy bunch of classes at school, and a cool sister I could chill with at home for a few hours before hitting this party. Speaking of which...
"Hey Beck, you hear of that gig going on tonight?" I asked into her closed room.
"I'm not going to some fruity live music thing with you and your asshole boyfriends!" she snarled immediately. I'm not much for the cheesy musicians that play at the coffee joint either, but it's something to do. But Becky, she has none of it. I swear, she hates both our parents for the simple fact that because of them she was forced to grow up in this little town instead of a huge city where she could have more alternative lifestyle mates to read shitty poetry about death to.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

Apropos of an eternal discussion here:

...My sister was home, thank God in Heaven and the angels above. She and I argued all through childhood, but things never got really bad with us. We went to high school together and everything without embarrassing each other; she's a senior now to my sophomore year in university. Being around her was much cooler once I got into college for some reason, either because I was more relaxed about life or because she was finally maturing, I didn't care. All I saw was that I had my boys at my side, an easy bunch of classes at school, and a cool sister I could chill with at home for a few hours before hitting this party. Speaking of which...
"Hey Beck, you hear of that gig going on tonight?" I asked into her closed room.
"I'm not going to some fruity live music thing with you and your asshole boyfriends!" she snarled immediately. I'm not much for the cheesy musicians that play at the coffee joint either, but it's something to do. But Becky, she has none of it. I swear, she hates both our parents for the simple fact that because of them she was forced to grow up in this little town instead of a huge city where she could have more alternative lifestyle mates to read shitty poetry about death to.

A Queen's English translation of the above:
My sister was at home, thank God in Heaven and the angels above. She and I had argued all through childhood, but things never got really bad between us. We went to secondary school together and everything without embarrassing each other; she's in her final year now to my second year at university. Being with her was much happier once I got into Uni for some reason, either because I was more relaxed about life or because she was finally maturing, I didn't care. All I saw was that I had my boys at my side, an easy set of lectures at Uni, and a cool sister I could relax with at home for a few hours before this party. Speaking of which...
"Hey Beck, you hear of that gig going on tonight?" I asked into her closed room.
"I'm not going to some fruity live music thing with you and your asshole boyfriends!" she snarled immediately. I'm not much for the cheesy musicians that play at the coffee club either, but it's something to do. But Becky, she will have none of it. I swear she hates both our parents because of the simple fact that it is their fault that she was forced to grow up in this little town instead of a huge city where she could have more alternative lifestyle mates to whom she could read shitty poetry about death.

 

[faq52]

Apropos of an eternal discussion here:
A Queen's English translation of the above:
My sister was at home, thank God in Heaven and the angels above. She and I had argued all through childhood, but things never got really bad between us. We went to secondary school together and everything without embarrassing each other; she's in her final year now to my second year at university. Being with her was much happier once I got into Uni for some reason, either because I was more relaxed about life or because she was finally maturing, I didn't care. All I saw was that I had my boys at my side, an easy set of lectures at Uni, and a cool sister I could relax with at home for a few hours before this party. Speaking of which...
"Hey Beck, you hear of that gig going on tonight?" I asked into her closed room.
"I'm not going to some fruity live music thing with you and your asshole boyfriends!" she snarled immediately. I'm not much for the cheesy musicians that play at the coffee club either, but it's something to do. But Becky, she will have none of it. I swear she hates both our parents because of the simple fact that it is their fault that she was forced to grow up in this little town instead of a huge city where she could have more alternative lifestyle mates to whom she could read shitty poetry about death.

asshole is in the Queen's English?

Who knew?