The Right Editor

[jehoram]

I was going to post some thoughts here on what makes for a good writer/editor relationship, but it got a bit long and I posted it to the "How To" Section instead:

http://www.literotica.com/s/the-right-editor

I'd appreciate you comments, either here or in the comments section of the story itself (and thanks, estragon and Myhands316 for their comments so far).

 

[estragon]

Jehoram, I did comment on your "how-to" on my "Embarras de Richesse" thread on the SF BB the other day. Your essay was pleasant to read, but not really a "how-to". You describe the paragon who you're lucky enough to have as your editor, but don't tell us how to find one for ourselves. So I thought your piece would be better placed in the essays category.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I read it. Its a gushy mutual admiration schmoozer. No HOW TO in it.

I didnt score it, cuz I normally dont.

 

[jehoram]

Jehoram, I did comment on your "how-to" on my "Embarras de Richesse" thread on the SF BB the other day. Your essay was pleasant to read, but not really a "how-to". You describe the paragon who you're lucky enough to have as your editor, but don't tell us how to find one for ourselves. So I thought your piece would be better placed in the essays category.

You have an excellent point. I really didn't know where to put it, but I figured that since it gave advice to writers, it belonged in the "how to" section. My point was not to praise any particular editor, but to describe a particular writer/editor collaboration that illustrates how an editor should be able to make the writer's prose not only more readable but more credible. Some editors are willing to do that, others aren't, either because they feel that's not part of the job description, or because they think that they'd be intruding on the author's domain more deeply than the author would want.

I started writing erotica for another site, and used their volunteer editorial staff. I appreciated their help, and I was satisfied with their efforts, but I didn't know what I was missing. And, to be frank about it, I felt awkward asking them about help beyond what they were so willing to provide for free; instead, I told myself I should just feel grateful for what I was getting.

As for finding my "paragon," I admit that I lucked out, as authors often do. It came about when Athalia asked me to read some of her stuff and, because I knew her already, it was easier for me to be honest about what needed improvement in her work. And when she returned the favor and gave me perspectives I didn't have (and didn't know I lacked!), I realized how essential that was to the editorial process. That's why I wrote the article.

There are resources available on the site for connecting with editors, such as

http://www.literotica.com/storyxs/voled_author.shtml

and I suggest that writers start there, but go a little farther than to be satisfied with having the editor simply clean up their copy. In particular, if you're a straight male trying to write a Lesbian story that will appeal to Lesbians as well as straight males, the straight male editor you usually use might not be the best choice.

I'm sorry that it wasn't more of a "how to find the right editor" essay, but my advice here is to open the lines of communication with your editors and let them know that you're open to criticism beyond the mechanics of writing. And the essay is also a plea to editors to ask their clients if they're open to such criticism, even though it might be a little outside their comfort zone.

If there's enough commentary on it, I'll be happy to submit a re-write making these points a little more clearer.

 

[sr71plt]

It's more an advertisement than anything else. We don't really have a story file category for that.

Glad you found an editor you meld well with.

 

[Athalia]

It's more an advertisement than anything else.

An advertisement for a service that I don't provide? How does that work, exactly? Perhaps somebody with more business acumen than I have can explain this to me.

I thought I made it clear in my addendum to Jehoram's essay that my services as an editor are not available. Apparently not. So, I reiterate: for the present, and for the foreseeable future, I accept no editorial work from anybody besides him. and I do that only as a personal favour.

Frankly, I'm a little dismayed at the dismissive tone of the reactions that many people have had to this thread. When I proofread his essay, I found myself wondering what experiences other authors have had with editors. Were they positive? Were they destructive? I'd like to find out.

Or could it be that the readers of this thread simply don't use editors, and have nothing to contribute to the thread about their experiences?

 

[sr71plt]

It was posted as a "how to." Sorry, but you have to go all the way back to that to see where it went off the rails. And then it was, ho hum, highlighted on the forum as well.

And it doesn't really contribute anything on the "how to" of being edited (as was pointed out by a poster up the line). It doesn't do anything that the OP claims it does--other than letting us know how much he appreciates your help, and posting on it to the forum as well didn't get it back on the rails.

It's a testimonial essay. Well, a l r i g h t y t h e n.

What are you expecting from a thread on a miss-posted personal testimonial essay that was than trumpeted on the forum as well? Jehoram's worship isn't enough? I did post that I was glad he'd found a good fit with you. We're happy for the two of you. OK?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The lesbian next door aint so great at choosing women, either. Unless midget 200 pound galz with bowl cuts appeal to you. One of her luvs has a wooden leg.

 

[TxRad]

The lesbian next door aint so great at choosing women, either. Unless midget 200 pound galz with bowl cuts appeal to you. One of her luvs has a wooden leg.

I see your point and raise you a glass eyeball.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

... There are resources available on the site for connecting with editors, such as

http://www.literotica.com/storyxs/voled_author.shtml ...

Actually that service is broken. There is no mechanism for removing dormant accounts from the list of Volunteer Editors (for example Snooper has not had a valid email address since I accidentally wrecked that account in January 2008).

There is a list of available editors renewed every month in a sticky on the Editor's Forum. Alternatively a request on that forum preferably specifying the genre, the help you feel you need, and the story's length (in words) will usually result in a volunteer editor's offering help.

An advertisement for a service that I don't provide? How does that work, exactly? Perhaps somebody with more business acumen than I have can explain this to me.

I thought I made it clear in my addendum to Jehoram's essay that my services as an editor are not available. ...

You did. The person who "misunderstood" you is well known on the Editor's Forum where (s)he roundly abuses all and sundry, and is apparently allowed to do so by the authorities despite many complaints. (S)he also makes absurd claims of expertise in many different fields (see my sig).

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I see your point and raise you a glass eyeball.

One of my old perfessers publishes romance novels for cripples.

 

[lovecraft68]

One of my old perfessers publishes romance novels for cripples.

Oh yeah? Well my wife's cat's breath smells like cat food!

Sorry, that's one of my favorite lines from the Simpsons (Ralph Wiggum) and it seems to fit in with the rest of these random statements.

 

[lovecraft68]

What are you expecting from a thread on a miss-posted personal testimonial essay that was then trumpeted on the forum as well?

Fixed that for you. If you're going to argue with an editor be sure to check your grammar.

 

[jehoram]

Actually that service is broken. There is no mechanism for removing dormant accounts from the list of Volunteer Editors (for example Snooper has not had a valid email address since I accidentally wrecked that account in January 2008).

There is a list of available editors renewed every month in a sticky on the Editor's Forum.

Thanks for pointing that out. Is that editor's situation a common experience? I notice that some of the posts were recently updated, so I presume that these editors are still around.

Or could it be that the readers of this thread simply don't use editors, and have nothing to contribute to the thread about their experiences?

Could be. Somebody (Bill Cosby) once remarked on the futility of giving advice: "Smart folks don't need it, and dumb folks won't take it." I am happy that this board is evidently frequented by the former.

As for "worshiping you," please be advised that my barbeque is broken, so I won't be able to slaughter my weekly fatted lamb as my burnt offering to you. I'll do two of them next week. Will that square it? (And how did sr71plt find out about that, anyway?)

 

[sr71plt]

Bad news, Jehoram. Snooper and Lovecraft didn't post to support you; they posted to rag on me. Stick around and you'll get to know the lay of the forum.

I both use an editor and am one, by the way. I do appreciate my editor--highly. I just don't write essays about him or trumpet his virtues on the forum.

 

[lovecraft68]

Yup you'll learn exactly where people stand here. You've already dealt with the Pilot's snippy behavior and now you see those who live to mock him.

Enjoy your stay here and I'll leave you with a little tidbit to make Pilot look like the asshat he is.

You can pick where you want something posted, but the site can and will over rule you and put it where they feel best if they disagree. So where it landed is where the site felt it best placed.

Pay no attention to the idiot telling you otherwise.

 

[sr71plt]

So anyone else agree with Lovecraft that this essay was best placed in "How To"? By all means, chime in if you agree with him.

(I'm not the one who originally pointed out it was misplaced, and we've discussed ad nauseum that the website editor is so swamped with work that she can't get everything right all of the time--although I'm certainly sure Lovecraft always gets everything right. )

Once again, Lovecraft lives here only to needle me. That's certainly adult behavior.

 

[Athalia]

As for "worshiping you," please be advised that my barbeque is broken, so I won't be able to slaughter my weekly fatted lamb as my burnt offering to you. I'll do two of them next week. Will that square it?

That is not acceptable. Prepare to face My wrath.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

Bad news, jehoram, Snooper ... didn't post to support you; [he] posted to rag on me. ...

Sorry to disappoint you SR71plt - you are still on my ignore list. I only see what others quote, or PM me about, from your postings.

I posted the commonly known information about the official VE list to help jehoram.

 

[sr71plt]

Sorry to disappoint you SR71plt - you are still on my ignore list. I only see what others quote, or PM me about, from your postings.

I posted the commonly known information about the official VE list to help jehoram.

First, I don't give a rat's ass if you want to pretend I'm on your ignore list or not--and I suspect no one else does either.

Second, it's always been a headscratcher that someone could rag on the posts of someone when they haven't read the posts. Figure that one out for us.

And, third, if you only posted to pass on information on the official VE list, why did you mention me at all?

Oh, and I see that no one else has zipped in to agree with Lovecraft on the "publish it in the 'How To' category" issue.