Editors, First Readers and Rewrite; or how to shed the skin of a reclusive writer?

[Kraveree]

I don't want to beat around the bush so here goes.

I love writing but as it is mostly a solo effort, meaning that the process of writing happens purely in my mind, I have a hard time transitioning to a different one.
I have been at the helm of my computer (and before that the good pen and paper) for a few decades now and write stories that benefit me more than anyone else.
I reconsidered a few weeks back and tried to see if I could actually captivate a few people. Not the easiest step for a reclusive writer.

Following that first step I got confused. Perhaps I should have done more researching but the past is the past. Needing to find some perspective, I like to see if I can make some sense into the whole editor (either grammar only or a more collaborative synergy and anything in between), first readers and test audience.
The other thing that got me fretting is how to effectively use comments and when to use suggestions or not.

I am not looking for a holy grail here nor am I trying to be overly dramatic. I like to figure out how I can reduce the time needed to adjust my writing style, avoid making mistakes that can easily be avoided. Become a better person as a writer.

My concern is that of finding out what style of editor would fit me. What traits should I be looking for? What advice do you have on making this easier than it currently feels like, namely, like a mountain to climb with bare hands. I don't want to waste my or the editor's time nor would I want to assume that I know anything.
Any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the use of comments and advice, what traps should I expect to fall into? I have this feeling that using an editor for plot/story/character elements might cramp my style or that writing may become more like a task than a pleasure. Again I could be totally wrong but as I don't want to just do this by trial and error -not my style- any rules of the thumb, gut feelings or experience shared would be nice.

I have a thick skin which can be a benefit as well as a short-coming as it comes with an opinion. So don't worry about giving things to me straight.

end-of-line.

 

[sr71plt]

I suggest using an editor/beta reader only for technical presentation help and advice on whether the content was coherent and flowed for them (with advice on what to do about it very minimal) and that you try to learn the mechanics as well as you can yourself and use a dictionary for spelling. The fewer mistakes you make in the original, the fewer that will remain after the editor has had it. I suggest not to use an editor as a cowriter or as someone who changes your voice or that you use as a crux for any aspect of the story.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

I don't want to beat around the bush so here goes.

I love writing but as it is mostly a solo effort, meaning that the process of writing happens purely in my mind, I have a hard time transitioning to a different one.
I have been at the helm of my computer (and before that the good pen and paper) for a few decades now and write stories that benefit me more than anyone else.
I reconsidered a few weeks back and tried to see if I could actually captivate a few people. Not the easiest step for a reclusive writer.

Following that first step I got confused. Perhaps I should have done more researching but the past is the past. Needing to find some perspective, I like to see if I can make some sense into the whole editor (either grammar only or a more collaborative synergy and anything in between), first readers and test audience.
The other thing that got me fretting is how to effectively use comments and when to use suggestions or not.

I am not looking for a holy grail here nor am I trying to be overly dramatic. I like to figure out how I can reduce the time needed to adjust my writing style, avoid making mistakes that can easily be avoided. Become a better person as a writer.

My concern is that of finding out what style of editor would fit me. What traits should I be looking for? What advice do you have on making this easier than it currently feels like, namely, like a mountain to climb with bare hands. I don't want to waste my or the editor's time nor would I want to assume that I know anything.
Any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the use of comments and advice, what traps should I expect to fall into? I have this feeling that using an editor for plot/story/character elements might cramp my style or that writing may become more like a task than a pleasure. Again I could be totally wrong but as I don't want to just do this by trial and error -not my style- any rules of the thumb, gut feelings or experience shared would be nice.

I have a thick skin which can be a benefit as well as a short-coming as it comes with an opinion. So don't worry about giving things to me straight.

end-of-line.

You seem like a thoughtful person... Maybe one of us who over think things.

You sound like you need someone to challenge you a bit, rather than gush over your work and tell you that you are fabulous.

So... Find an author whose stuff you like. Contact them directly. Offer beer.

 

[AKentuckyLady]

Hi,

What Pilot said is dead on. I think you want a literary editor, not a copy editor (unless your spelling and sentence structure is really up in the air). A literary editor will scan your story for continuity, spot flaws in your story line or plot, or even some missed opportunities where you can improve. Very rarely will they ask you to change the details of your story.

You could easily post something in the Editor's forum asking for a literary editor. If they also tell you that your grammar or sentences need improving, you could then ask if the are willing to do it (not all will) or you can run it through a spell checker or editor program.

Just my .02.

 

[Gorza]

I don't want to beat around the bush so here goes.

I love writing but as it is mostly a solo effort, meaning that the process of writing happens purely in my mind, I have a hard time transitioning to a different one.
I have been at the helm of my computer (and before that the good pen and paper) for a few decades now and write stories that benefit me more than anyone else.
I reconsidered a few weeks back and tried to see if I could actually captivate a few people. Not the easiest step for a reclusive writer.

Write for yourself first. That's always the place to start. Otherwise writing has become work. Quite often, pleasure writing becomes work-like because you have to become disciplined or push yourself to get your writing into shape or make deadlines. Yet if there's no pleasure or satisfaction, there's no point.

You'll find a lot of people saying we should write for ourselves, but few talking about writing for readers. Writing is a form of communication, even if we do it alone. The great effect of having an editor is that there's someone there giving you feedback. As our stories first inhabit our imagination, we can never read over our own stories afresh. We never find it difficult to understand ourselves. We always have our source imagination on which to draw. When I edit, I often say to a writer, "I'm sure you know what this is about, but your readers won't have a clue".

Following that first step I got confused. Perhaps I should have done more researching but the past is the past. Needing to find some perspective, I like to see if I can make some sense into the whole editor (either grammar only or a more collaborative synergy and anything in between), first readers and test audience.
The other thing that got me fretting is how to effectively use comments and when to use suggestions or not.

I am not looking for a holy grail here nor am I trying to be overly dramatic. I like to figure out how I can reduce the time needed to adjust my writing style, avoid making mistakes that can easily be avoided. Become a better person as a writer.

My concern is that of finding out what style of editor would fit me. What traits should I be looking for? What advice do you have on making this easier than it currently feels like, namely, like a mountain to climb with bare hands. I don't want to waste my or the editor's time nor would I want to assume that I know anything.
Any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the use of comments and advice, what traps should I expect to fall into? I have this feeling that using an editor for plot/story/character elements might cramp my style or that writing may become more like a task than a pleasure. Again I could be totally wrong but as I don't want to just do this by trial and error -not my style- any rules of the thumb, gut feelings or experience shared would be nice.

I have a thick skin which can be a benefit as well as a short-coming as it comes with an opinion. So don't worry about giving things to me straight.

end-of-line.

I, and any decent editor, will tell you that the story is yours and all edits and suggestions are for you to accept or reject. I expect my writers to reject the odd edit. I understand that I don't always get what they're doing, and we need to talk about it. Talking is important in an editor: you need to have open lines of communication.

Editors can do what I call the janitorial work (spelling, grammar, punctuation, continuity) because we all make mistakes. If a writer has an obvious blindspot for something (punctuating dialogue, for instance), I'll point it out to them. As writers, we all need to keep these basic skills honed. There are some who seek editorial help, when what they really need to do is learn to clean up their own shit. I don't imagine you're in that camp. This janitorial editing is mostly the work of the writer, with the editor catching the odd few things that were missed.

Whether I comment on plot or not often depends on whether a story triggers my imagination. I sometimes do dry editing, where I engage very lightly with the text. Some writers prefer that. Sometimes I get engaged with a text, and offer many more suggestions on plot, character and setting. Some writers don't like this. I learn how much engagement an writer wants, but much more depends on how the story makes me feel.

I like an editor who also writes. You can read their stories and see if they have a style you like. If you have particular tastes (writing mainly for certain categories), then it's good to find an editor who is reasonably knowledgeable and comfortable with that. Someone who has a professional approach to editing is good. Someone you can converse with, via email, and feel comfortable talking about your writing with them. Last of all, mutual respect is vital. Sometimes an editor suggests something you don't like, but if you come to respect their judgement, and know they're respectful of you, it makes the difficult decisions easier.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Hi, welcome to the thread!


There are two different kinds of editing work, as others have said here: copy-editing (just tidy up typos and spelling) and beta-reading: spot holes in the plot, suggest better characterisation techniques.

I do a lot of beta reading, I find it great fun and I presume the authors I edit for enjoy it, as they usually come back for more. I'm not very interested in simple copy-editing - there are others who enjoy doing just that. I like working with a writer on a project, to bring out of it the story they wanted to write in a better form.

Like Gorza says, if you want to develop your writing to better suit readers, a beta reader is helpful. A beta reader will read your story as a reader, not as the writer so you'll get expert reading opinion on it before you put it up for the comments and email feedback to start flowing in. It's fun to have someone with whom to share the comments on your story and discuss them.

(BTW You can get this feedback not only in Comments and from a Beta Reader, you can go on Story Feedback and get feedback there too.)

If you just want a copy editor, you can go on the Editors' Forum and ask, making sure you specify that you only want perhaps a general reaction to the story ("I like it," "I like it but the part where you dropped into a dream was confusing,") and some copy-editing.

When I first came on this board, I was very anxious about someone editing my stories. I didn't want odd ideas being put forward about how I should write them. However I've now worked with three or four editors. I don't always agree with them but I found their input invaluable. They have done such a lot to improve my writing style, and given me lots of support, and friendship.

 

[Kraveree]

Thank you all for the advice and insights.
It made me feel less insecure and more determined to actually go out there and find someone to help me out with my short comings.
In short, I:

• do overthink which is very true

• got myself a new supply of beer

• find the idea of a literary editor less scary

• understand better what these steps entail and what kind of traits to look for that are compatible with mine.

• am not the only one who frets over these things.

 

[sr71plt]

There are three kinds of editors: acquisitions editors (that's what Laurel does here), development editors (help with the content and structure) and copyeditors (the nuts and bolts of grammar, spelling, punctuation). (Some list researchers as a fourth variety--but they aren't editing anything; they're fact checking).