You edit mine; I edit yours?

[Geeky_lover]

My name is Chris and I'd like an editor. I'm a grad student so I know about looking this over for mistakes (especially "logic errors" to borrow a programming term). I write romantic stories mostly. The lovers are generally inexperienced or out of practice (my story "widow + widower" is a goiod example of the later). I have no problems with so-called interracial (they're all humans, so interracial seems a misapplied term). I could really use the second set of eyes. I personally can't stand BSDM, torture. I prefer romances. I prefer heterosexual, although I've written homosexual scenes myself (among women, but I couldn't get them to sound erotic). I don't want to edit a lot of peoples' stuff, because I've got classes and my own stuff to finish, so unless you're willing and able to do an editor's job (even as an amateur), just move on. If you have what it takes, PM me.

Thanks In Advance,
-- Chris

Why am I doing this?: I'm still looking for an editor and the only one that's hasn't turned me down for workload reasons wants to be paid and circumstances surrounding that make me uneasy. I don't need another expense if I can avoid it.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

My name is Chris and I'd like an editor. I'm a grad student so I know about looking this over for mistakes (especially "logic errors" to borrow a programming term). I write romantic stories mostly. The lovers are generally inexperienced or out of practice (my story "widow + widower" is a goiod example of the later). I have no problems with so-called interracial (they're all humans, so interracial seems a misapplied term). I could really use the second set of eyes. I personally can't stand BSDM, torture. I prefer romances. I prefer heterosexual, although I've written homosexual scenes myself (among women, but I couldn't get them to sound erotic). I don't want to edit a lot of peoples' stuff, because I've got classes and my own stuff to finish, so unless you're willing and able to do an editor's job (even as an amateur), just move on. If you have what it takes, PM me.

Thanks In Advance,
-- Chris

Why am I doing this?: I'm still looking for an editor and the only one that's hasn't turned me down for workload reasons wants to be paid and circumstances surrounding that make me uneasy. I don't need another expense if I can avoid it.

Hi, Chris. I have already responded to a more recent post, so I won't repeat myself. All I wanted to express is that it doesn't always have to be "tit" for "twat". If you need an editor but this skill is not really your expertise, then why offer it?

Be honest.

"Hey, I have a story I want edited. I am really good with the iPhone if you have any questions."

This economy has resulted in an increasing barter system. Peddle your strengths. Just my thought.

 

[Geeky_lover]

I understand and respect your opinion, but I've noticed how many writers are in my position. I've also noticed how hard it is to pick someone on that list who's both "sexually compatible" and will answer one's messages. If I offer to trade editing for editing and I can find someone whom I'm willing to extend faith on, then great. Ideally, I'd love to get someone who's an experienced editor, but I'm smart enough to know I may not find the best possible match in editor in the next few days, it might take years if ever. I'm more than willing to edit more than one person's work if I get feedback from everyone of them. Not one person has given me any feedback on my stories (and I do have anonymous feedback enabled). I'd love to know where a story drags (i.e. "at this point, just cut to the blow job", etc.) or where I need to explain a motivation. I try to edit my stuff, but too often my brain does the editing, then I see the change before the change is made. This is where I'm better at editing other's stuff than mine.

 

[evanslily]

Chris

I'd better say straight off that I really don't have the time to volunteer to edit your work right now, but I just wanted to say that I agree with Asylum Seeker that you don't need to offer to edit someone else - not if you don't really want to do it. There are people here who will edit your stuff for free and won't expect anything apart from a 'thank you' in return, I promise.

I had a quick look at your work though, just to see where you needed help. Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to post a link to the story you suggested (it's always helpful to post a link in requests like this) so that other would-be editors can see what's required: Joe & Friends_2_Widow + Widower

A couple of things I noticed straight off though. Firstly - the use of brackets and asides to the readers. Don't do it. It just pulls the reader right out of the story. If the information needs to be there, incorporate it into the narrative or dialogue. Secondly, resist the urge to use measurements. There's nothing that makes me back click faster than a run down of the characters' vital statistics.

I think you could do a lot to improve your writing for yourself while you're waiting for an editor to bite. Have you seen the Writers' Resources page here on the site? Take a look here if you haven't: http://www.literotica.com/storyxs/writ_stor.shtml

Lots of advice there from other authors about things you can do to improve your writing (though admittedly some of the articles are better than others). I particularly recommend these though to get you started:

Self-Review for Literotica
The 10 Commandments
Pick the Nits Before You Submit

Hope you manage to find an editor soon!

 

[sr71plt]

Why don't you ask authors of stories here that are compatible with yours and seem particularly well presented directly if they would be interested in sharing edits? The one who is now my writing partner here contacted me that way, and we both save a lot of time and effort in looking for that second pair of eyes all of the time. I think your approach is a pretty good one.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Bite

I understand and respect your opinion, but I've noticed how many writers are in my position. I've also noticed how hard it is to pick someone on that list who's both "sexually compatible" and will answer one's messages. If I offer to trade editing for editing and I can find someone whom I'm willing to extend faith on, then great. Ideally, I'd love to get someone who's an experienced editor, but I'm smart enough to know I may not find the best possible match in editor in the next few days, it might take years if ever. I'm more than willing to edit more than one person's work if I get feedback from everyone of them. Not one person has given me any feedback on my stories (and I do have anonymous feedback enabled). I'd love to know where a story drags (i.e. "at this point, just cut to the blow job", etc.) or where I need to explain a motivation. I try to edit my stuff, but too often my brain does the editing, then I see the change before the change is made. This is where I'm better at editing other's stuff than mine.

The holiday weekend is upon us, have no plans, rain forecast. I may be able to handle this if nobody has offered, to date. Otherwise I shall indulge and likely have no memories of this weekend. Still not sure what I'm volunteering for, may withhold agreement until I do, but I'm pretty easy.