Maybe I don't Completely Understand..But...

[MoonlessNight]

I just joined this website a few days ago. Upon creating my new account, I also created an editor's profile.

Since I joined, I've had about six people email me to edit their story and supply feedback. However, maybe I'm not understanding my job as an editor.

One man emailed me to edit a story. It was a great story, he did a great job. I read the manuscript, then let him know what changes I thought he needed to make.

He then replied yet again, wanting me to make the changes myself. These changes included not only a few spelling mistakes, but adding a paragraph.

I was under the assumption I only edited, and the authors made the changes before submitting. Am I right?

I feel this person was being a tad bit lazy and taking advantage of my generosity.

 

[hotti]

It's up to you to set your boundaries.

Personally, the only things I fix myself are spelling and grammar. If there are other changes I think could be made to improve the story, I include in a red font. If I see the writer making the same mistake over and over, I'll highlight it and explain what's wrong with it, and how to fix it. And if it's too much of a mess, I send it back and tell them to proof it first, because I don't do re-writes. I edit near-to-final drafts through to the final draft.

There's no right or wrong I have used editors myself, and in one instance, someone sent back my own work with several new paragraphs they'd inserted themselves - I removed the extras completely. Not because they were bad, but because it hadn't been what I was looking for from an editor.

Just be straight with what you're prepared to do, and what your expectations are.

 

[hotti]

And welcome Have fun!

 

[Sam231]

An editor should correct spelling mistakes and advise a writer on where to trim the fat plot wise, they should NEVER add in to the story.

 

[PennLady]

First off: disclaimer, I'm not a professional editor.

As hotti said, you need to set your boundaries. Some editors will copy edit for punctuation, etc., others will edit for content. You may want to do one or both, it's up to you.

I'd say that if you see a repeated problem, you could correct it once or twice, then explain it, and let them pick it up. Personally, when I edit, I do not think it is my job to "fix" it as your writer seemed to want. It is his story, and he should make any or all or none of the changes you suggest. I have in fact had to stop editing people because they continued to make the same errors. I don't have that kind of time.

For content, I will point out logic flaws, continuity issues, character problems, etc. I will suggest to the author what I think might work to fix it, but again, it's up to the writer to accept or not those changes.

And yes, I think that writer was being lazy and/or not understanding how to work with an editor.

 

[sr71plt]

I was under the assumption I only edited, and the authors made the changes before submitting. Am I right?

Yes, that's the way I would do it here. I do cleanup after author review for mainstream editors--but they are paying me $25/hour to do both the edit and the cleanup.

 

[MoonlessNight]

I do this for free because I enjoy helping the authors. I feel very used by this person. I will be certain to let anyone who contacts me from here on know I WILL NOT do the work for them. Pointing out a few grammar or spelling errors is one thing. Actually writing part of the story for this is an entire other thing.

Thanks everyone, I'm thankful for the different outlooks

 

[PennLady]

I do this for free because I enjoy helping the authors. I feel very used by this person. I will be certain to let anyone who contacts me from here on know I WILL NOT do the work for them. Pointing out a few grammar or spelling errors is one thing. Actually writing part of the story for this is an entire other thing.

Thanks everyone, I'm thankful for the different outlooks

Well, live and learn, unfortunately. Just state your limits and preferences up front when contacted by someone, and don't be afraid even to turn someone down after reading their draft and finding it's either too much for you, or simply something you don't want to do.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

An editor should correct spelling mistakes and advise a writer on where to trim the fat plot wise, they should NEVER add in to the story.

I do sometimes point out the need for addition(s) where the author has forgotten to tell the reader something. Usually this is at the level of clearing up ambiguities about time, place, or participants. Authors (including me) tend to forget that the reader is coming to the story fresh, whereas the characters and scenes have been in the author's mind for weeks, months, or even years and are wholly familiar.

 

[sr71plt]

The editor adding to the story and the editor suggesting that the author needs to add to the story are two different things. Other than suggesting the need to add a word or two to bring clarity, I'm with Sam on this--it's the author's work; they should be doing the writing.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I'd say that if you see a repeated problem, you could correct it once or twice, then explain it, and let them pick it up.

PL is right IMHO. If they choose to write "okay" as "OK" then I mention that it should be "okay" but leave it up to the writer to either accept or decline. Also, some writers mix tenses. If this is a real problem I return it, ask which tense they intended the story to be written in, and ask them to clean it up before returning it to me.

Some of the worst are from writers in other countries trying to write in broken English. Don't be slow to shy away and request that they work on the story some more.

Also if the story has missing elements such as a man showing up and next is naked without any mention of removing his clothes, I mention this to the writer as an issue but leave it up to them to handle how they want to.

 

[AmberRoseThompson]

I just joined this website a few days ago. Upon creating my new account, I also created an editor's profile.

Since I joined, I've had about six people email me to edit their story and supply feedback. However, maybe I'm not understanding my job as an editor.

One man emailed me to edit a story. It was a great story, he did a great job. I read the manuscript, then let him know what changes I thought he needed to make.

He then replied yet again, wanting me to make the changes myself. These changes included not only a few spelling mistakes, but adding a paragraph.

I was under the assumption I only edited, and the authors made the changes before submitting. Am I right?

I feel this person was being a tad bit lazy and taking advantage of my generosity.

Definitely being lazy. I bow before my wonderful editor, Sascha Illyvich, who guided me into improving my writing which turned into my first published work. As an editor you help shine light onto problems. It is us, the writer's, who do the fixing otherwise you'd be the writer, not the editor. Definitely you need to establish boundaries for the lazy people.

 

[sr71plt]

It is "we," the writers . . . couldn't resist. Sorry.

 

[MoonlessNight]

Thanks everyone. I'm so happy you all took the time to share your opinions. I set my boundaries and let this author know he would have to do all the writing on his own.