Any pitfalls in just not bothering with an editor?

[Perfideous]

I'm just wondering because I haven't been able to get one. Not one that was any use.

Is it compulsory to have one?

 

[PennLady]

No you don't need an editor.

If you'd like to find one, your best bet is to go to the Editor's Forum and look at the "sticky" posts at the top of the thread. The top one should list the available editors for the current month. You can look them over and see who you think would best fit. Or you can post your own thread requesting an editor. Either way, be sure to include info about your story: how long it is, whether it's finished, what genre, when you'd like it back, etc.

Having an editor will not speed up your story posting time, though. All the editing through the site is on a volunteer basis and has nothing to do with Lit. They don't sponsor it, they don't vet people, etc.

Good luck.

 

[astuffedshirt_perv]

The pitfalls are that you will post a story that sounds good to you but not to another reader because of grammar, spelling, plot holes, name changes etc. A second set of eyes is, in my opinion, invaluable.

In addition to what PennLady said about getting an editor on the forum, you can also go to http://www.literotica.com/stories/index.php and click on the eighth link, Volunteer Editors. Contact 5-8 of the most recent postings, you will likely hear back from 20-40% of them in my experience.

 

[Bramblethorn]

An editor isn't compulsory, but the mod does sometimes reject submissions for spelling/punctuation problems. A good editor might help prevent that happening - although if it does happen, you still have the option to fix the problems and resubmit.

 

[PennLady]

The pitfalls are that you will post a story that sounds good to you but not to another reader because of grammar, spelling, plot holes, name changes etc. A second set of eyes is, in my opinion, invaluable.

In addition to what PennLady said about getting an editor on the forum, you can also go to http://www.literotica.com/stories/index.php and click on the eighth link, Volunteer Editors. Contact 5-8 of the most recent postings, you will likely hear back from 20-40% of them in my experience.

Thanks. I meant to say what you did in your first graph but got sidetracked. Mornings can be busy.

And I agree -- I almost never submit anything without at least one other person looking at it. It's too easy to have "there" for "their," or a not where you don't want one, to be missing a word, etc. That's before you get to plot holes, continuity, etc.

The Volunteer Editors' list is also a resource, but be wary -- many profiles are outdated and the people no longer here. If you can see when they joined, and they are recent, then you probably have a better shot at getting a reply.

 

[DeYaKen]

As many have said using an editor is not compulsory, nor does it speed up acceptance of your story. If you are confident that your English and grammar are good, or your skin is thick enough to ignore the people who will call you illiterate because you used sat instead of sitting, go ahead and post.

Many problems with your text can be ironed out using www.p r o writingaid.com.(leave out the spaces and underlines) I would recommend, if you use this site, that you divide your story into 1000 word chunks for the purpose of analysis.

A good editor will not only correct your English but will also tell you when you have missed bits out. As a writer it is very easy to think that the reader knows as much about the character as you do. As a result you miss little bits out that prove to be vital later in the story.

I have scrapped stories because, after the editor had commented, I realised that they just didn't stand up. I've added detail to characters when my editor told me they were too thin.

A good editor will help you make a good story better.

Finding an editor is indeed a problem. They seem to have lives outside of lit. My first editor, the wonderful Juicystarchild had to give up due to pressures of real life. Since then it's been difficult for me to find a replacement. I prefer female editors and they seem to be the ones whose lives are already full.

I prefer women because they give me a different viewpoint.

It is frustrating to find someone offering their services, only to have them ignore your request, but persevere you might find someone like Juicy.

 

[Perfideous]

As many have said using an editor is not compulsory, nor does it speed up acceptance of your story. If you are confident that your English and grammar are good, or your skin is thick enough to ignore the people who will call you illiterate because you used sat instead of sitting, go ahead and post.

Many problems with your text can be ironed out using www.p r o writingaid.com.(leave out the spaces and underlines) I would recommend, if you use this site, that you divide your story into 1000 word chunks for the purpose of analysis.

A good editor will not only correct your English but will also tell you when you have missed bits out. As a writer it is very easy to think that the reader knows as much about the character as you do. As a result you miss little bits out that prove to be vital later in the story.

I have scrapped stories because, after the editor had commented, I realised that they just didn't stand up. I've added detail to characters when my editor told me they were too thin.

A good editor will help you make a good story better.

Finding an editor is indeed a problem. They seem to have lives outside of lit. My first editor, the wonderful Juicystarchild had to give up due to pressures of real life. Since then it's been difficult for me to find a replacement. I prefer female editors and they seem to be the ones whose lives are already full.

I prefer women because they give me a different viewpoint.

It is frustrating to find someone offering their services, only to have them ignore your request, but persevere you might find someone like Juicy.

Thanks to all of you and having posted for two years on XNXX I am aware of the 'post posting blues." So naturally when I decided I would like to post here the first thing I thought was 'need an editor'

I've spent over six weeks now and I'm no closer now than I was when I started.

I know the standards here are far higher than XN and I want to post quality work here.


This is a snippet from Daffy and Daisy a lesbian romance. (They both know Daffy was a boy but they use the name anyway) Just in case any one's editing juices get stirred.



The hotel had a ground floor and a first floor; we were on the first floor. We embraced as soon as we were in the room and within seconds we were naked.

I had had visions of a leisurely dinner, a few glasses of wine then a relaxed entry into the world of lesbian sex. No, we had almost torn our clothes in our haste to get naked then we were at it like ferrets. Kissing and tonguing like mad, exploring each other with our fingers and spreading as wide as we could so we could be explored.

Her touch was amazing and as she traced yet another line down over my arm pit, down my side, across my left butt cheek, into my crack then up through my slit I thought I might just explode.

“Are you sure you haven’t done this before?” I asked as I held both hands over my head to make it easier to torment my poor defenseless armpits.

“Absolutely, mind you I have watched a shit load of videos,” she told me with a look of pure evil.

EDITED BY MOD: Two to three paragraphs is an acceptable amount to post on the forum.

 

[LadyVer]

I do some editimg but only for writers I know from the forums and for certain categories. (I'm booked for the next 2 weeks) Anyway, the others have given good advice. I would add that it's helpful that both author and editor be direct and honest with each other, be flexible and be open to questions. Also, as this is a working/professional relationship, it's better to keep personal issues and info to a minimum. Finally, don't expect an editor to do a full editing job in 24 hours. It usually takes around a couple of weeks to edit a 9k-word doc (usually a two-step process)--and it could take longer depending on number of errors. I fit the editing in between job hunting and other RL obligatons.

 

[Perfideous]

I do some editimg but only for writers I know from the forums and for certain categories. (I'm booked for the next 2 weeks) Anyway, the others have given good advice. I would add that it's helpful that both author and editor be direct and honest with each other, be flexible and be open to questions. Also, as this is a working/professional relationship, it's better to keep personal issues and info to a minimum. Finally, don't expect an editor to do a full editing job in 24 hours. It usually takes around a couple of weeks to edit a 9k-word doc (usually a two-step process)--and it could take longer depending on number of errors. I fit the editing in between job hunting and other RL obligatons.

Thanks for that. I'm not sure I agree with you entirely but the time-frame is interesting; that long?

 

[LadyVer]

Thanks for that. I'm not sure I agree with you entirely but the time-frame is interesting; that long?

Depends on story, author and editor--how well written story is, how long it is, what author wants editor to edit. I have a hard time with just making mechanical edits when sentence structure is poor and I can't figure out what author is trying to say. Most volunteer editors have to fit editing projects around other things.

 

[PennLady]

Thanks for that. I'm not sure I agree with you entirely but the time-frame is interesting; that long?

It depends a lot on the writer, the editor, and how clean the copy of the story is. I could turn around a 9k story probably within a day, provided it's reasonably well-written. But then I don't work outside the home -- although my 4yo keeps me busy -- and so can manage my time differently than someone who has a 9-5 office job. I also just work fast when I do it.

However, I will say that like LadyVer, if I find other problems on top of mechanical ones, I won't be able to let them slide. If they are bad or pervasive enough, I'll return the story with some general advice and a few corrections. I expect authors to have a basic grasp of grammar and punctuation rules. I don't mind pointing out a few errors, but I'm not an English teacher and I'm not going to correct every mistake, especially if the same mistakes are made repeatedly.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I'm just wondering because I haven't been able to get one. Not one that was any use.

Is it compulsory to have one?

I don't fool with aspiring LIT writers. I did and learned that 99.99% want a pat on the back and confirmation that their tale is at least marvelous. Let them learn some humility.

 

[LadyVer]

I don't fool with aspiring LIT writers. I did and learned that 99.99% want a pat on the back and confirmation that their tale is at least marvelous. Let them learn some humility.

That's pretty much a universal trait of all writers, Jim, even published authors. It's also very human to want one's work admired whether it's deserving or not.

 

[DeYaKen]

Who needs to learn humility

I don't fool with aspiring LIT writers. I did and learned that 99.99% want a pat on the back and confirmation that their tale is at least marvelous. Let them learn some humility.

From this quote it looks like it's not the author who needs to learn humility.

 

[Perfideous]

That's pretty much a universal trait of all writers, Jim, even published authors. It's also very human to want one's work admired whether it's deserving or not.

It certainly is and I am no exception. That, though, is not what I want. I want to post stories that are sufficiently high enough in quality that they belong here. That is my goal and I know I haven't got to where I want to be yet.

 

[LadyVer]

It certainly is and I am no exception. That, though, is not what I want. I want to post stories that are sufficiently high enough in quality that they belong here. That is my goal and I know I haven't got to where I want to be yet.

Well, not all Lit stories are high quality...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

From this quote it looks like it's not the author who needs to learn humility.

Its the voice of experience you read.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

That's pretty much a universal trait of all writers, Jim, even published authors. It's also very human to want one's work admired whether it's deserving or not.

Cant argue that, and I don't gotta suffer it neither. Theys plenty of do-gooders on LIT eager to tame tender narcissists.

 

[StrokerChase]

Yes you can get so into your story that you're not reading it objectively. Many times I'm writing so much that I can't see typos but other people can. It's important to get an editor but many can't afford it. If you can't afford it then I suggest putting the work away for awhile, then checking it with fresh eyes. So many times I've been surprised to find work that I thought was good before riddled with typos

 

[DeYaKen]

Cant argue that, and I don't gotta suffer it neither. Theys plenty of do-gooders on LIT eager to tame tender narcissists.

Is it not narcissistic to list all your qualifications on your profile. Look at me see how clever i am.

If you don't like the stories don't read em

 

[LadyVer]

Cant argue that, and I don't gotta suffer it neither. Theys plenty of do-gooders on LIT eager to tame tender narcissists.

To each their own. Personally, I don't see the point in making everything a battle and everyone the enemy on a porn site.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

To each their own. Personally, I don't see the point in making everything a battle and everyone the enemy on a porn site.

It takes two to tango. You make it seem like I'm the Wizard of Oz, able to make people do my bidding. I'll wager that 99% never stop to smell my roses, and if they do, they wail 'PU!' and leave. I do the same. Many I ignore and avoid. Those I fight want to fight....like you.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Is it not narcissistic to list all your qualifications on your profile. Look at me see how clever i am.

If you don't like the stories don't read em

Youre a Brit. I fully understand why no modern Brit is narcissistic.

 

[LadyVer]

It takes two to tango. You make it seem like I'm the Wizard of Oz, able to make people do my bidding. I'll wager that 99% never stop to smell my roses, and if they do, they wail 'PU!' and leave. I do the same. Many I ignore and avoid. Those I fight want to fight....like you.

I don't get your meaning about the Wizard of Oz. I'm not much of a fighter and actually don't enjoy fighting for the sake of fighting. I will disagree with people though. The op's original issue was about using an editor. Maybe you have editing experience that you can share that might be helpful.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I don't get your meaning about the Wizard of Oz. I'm not much of a fighter and actually don't enjoy fighting for the sake of fighting. I will disagree with people though. The op's original issue was about using an editor. Maybe you have editing experience that you can share that might be helpful.

The OP wants a back pat and confirmation of his marvel's wonders.

You don't fool me, you love to fight; youre like Davy Crockett jumping in the bushes with the bear.

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free!
Raised in the woods so she knew every tree!
Killed her a bar when she was only three!