Beginner Editor

[Sudders]

Hi all,

I am new to editing/proof-reading and have one very simple question.

When you are editing someone's work, do you:

a) just correct the mistake or story hole yourself

or

b) highlight the error and leave notes so the author can make the corrections.

If anyone can answer me it would be greatly appreciated or maybe there is a good website that has a basic guide...

Thank you,
Sudders

 

[sr71plt]

you should b

 

[Sudders]

you should b

Thank you.

When it comes to basic grammatical errors, is it best to just adjust those yourself, as presumably the list of errors can get quite high depending on the authors skill level?

Highlights and suggestions for plot holes, continuity errors, etc.. and straight up correction for minor grammar and spelling mistakes?

I am looking forward to this new venture into editing and want to make sure I do right by any authors requiring assistance.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm not quite sure on what basis you are hanging out an editor's shingle to be asking these particular questions.

For most electronic editing, real editors use the Word tracking change program. Here you are striking through, but not erasing, what you are suggesting for change and putting in what you are suggesting the corrected word/phrase/punctuation should be. That way the author sees both what they had and what the suggested change. And you do this each time. The author then accepts/rejects the edit.

In publishing houses with hard rules on how copy is to be rendered, rules made clear to the author as "this way or it isn't published," the editor can make what we call "silent changes," where the change isn't shown to the author. But Literotica is such a publisher. At Literotica, the author is the last one with the manuscript--the author is submitting it--so it's best to let the author decide whatever changes are to be accepted.

To erase the original and substitute your "corrections" isn't editing or proofreading--it's rewriting.

 

[rwsteward]

When I use the volunteer editor program, I always send up a copy of the story but with a different file name. I agree with sr71pt that using the 'track changes' makes it much easier for me to find and the correct the goofs.

Not everyone uses the track changes option.

If you were to change a comma to a period and not tell me. Then I'll never see the change and thus the master file won't be updated.

I usually ask the editor to use a different color font if they don't want to use the track changes option.

The 'add comment' feature of word works for small changes.

I want the editor I'm working on to tell me what I'm doing wrong. Explain to me that I'm not doing something right. I know it takes time. Once I understand, I won't make that mistake again.

 

[Sudders]

Thanks for your responses.
I have decided to remove my name from the editor program and find a course that will make me into an editor an author would want to have.
It seems that that would be the suitable solution to my above questions.

 

[mynameisben]

Hi all,

I am new to editing/proof-reading and have one very simple question.

When you are editing someone's work, do you:

a) just correct the mistake or story hole yourself

or

b) highlight the error and leave notes so the author can make the corrections.

If anyone can answer me it would be greatly appreciated or maybe there is a good website that has a basic guide...

Thank you,
Sudders

If it is a grammar or spelling error, I correct the error in an annotation added to the document where it occurs, leaving the original text intact.

If it is a story hole, I point that out in a list of General Comments that I append at the end of the story.

If it is a sentence so badly butchered its multitude of errors is impossible to unravel and explain succinctly, then I may highlight the sentence and offer a re-write of what context and judicious guessing tells me the author meant to convey.

But I never delete any of the original text, nor make in-line corrections. If the author does not make those corrections on their own they will never learn anything.

BTW, "proofreading" is not a hyphenated word.

 

[kbate]

Make judicious use of Red Text for portions which you believe should be deleted. In larger submissions, often entire paragraphs and sometimes entire chapters are largely just extra words. Please note - this usually offends a writer because some of them feel that every word they write is the stuff of legend and deserves its place in print. Depending on the reason for deletion - use a margin note to explain.

Use Blue Text to notate spelling corrections and Grammar corrections. Use margin notes for grammar.

Use Blue for punctuation changes.

Often highlighting assorted sections can help you explain to the writer the reasons you believe they should be, "moved, changed, deleted, or otherwise spindled".

A cover sheet with overall comments and suggestions for general story flow and/or characters also helps.

***

The above applies only to competent writers who are willing to work through two to four drafts before arriving at their final product.

With poor writers - or those who refuse to make changes - either drop them entirely or use the rewrite method and include margin notes. I have done this on a dozen or so stories because it was the only way to demonstrate a better story structure to the writer.

 

[sr71plt]

That certainly would be colorful. But it's a lot of unnecessary work--and hard for the author to read/digest.

There are perfectly good editing programs available. No need to reinvent a wobbly wheel to replace them.

 

[kbate]

That certainly would be colorful. But it's a lot of unnecessary work --and hard for the author to read/digest.

There are perfectly good editing programs available. No need to reinvent a wobbly wheel to replace them.

I do not wish, nor do most others wish to purchase editing programs to edit for Literotica.

With Microsoft word, adding colour is a single click (and you can put red/blue buttons on the toolbar if you take 3 minutes to set up an "editing toolbar".

Coloured markup simulates 'old school' editing better than does 'highlight and annotate'.

It allows the writer to simply ignore all blue (which is simple correction) and concentrate on red and margin notes (which indicate content problems). How very confusing for them.

 

[sr71plt]

Of course if you were a real, trained editor, you wouldn't have to buy a computer program just for Literotica. You'd already have it.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Of course if you were a real, trained editor, you wouldn't have to buy a computer program just for Literotica. You'd already have it.

Editing requires establishing a relationship with a writer. It's a matter of trust. Once you have proven yourself then some writers will be agreeable to all of your changes, at which time you can freely edit their writings within certain limitations - correcting grammar, removing/adding punctuation, et al.

But this takes time. As a beginner I would suggest that you "suggest" changes. I do this in red to delineate my type from theirs.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Of course if you were a real, trained editor, you wouldn't have to buy a computer program just for Literotica. You'd already have it.

Please, SR, why do you have to be intimidating when we have virgins offering their assistance? Yes, we all know how great you are, how many skills you have, all of the knowledge you possess, you've made it abundantly clear on so many occasions. But can you not make a little room for someone else? Unless you're willing to take on the workload yourself, which you won't.

 

[kbate]

Of course if you were a real, trained editor, you wouldn't have to buy a computer program just for Literotica. You'd already have it.

And if you weren't an asshole . . .

No, editing is not my profession. So what? What is your "training"? You used the phrase and word, "very well" and "actually" earlier. That indicates that though you have some sort of "editor training" you are not a very good editor. I would not engage your services.

 

[_Lynn_]

I do not wish, nor do most others wish to purchase editing programs to edit for Literotica.

With Microsoft word, adding colour is a single click (and you can put red/blue buttons on the toolbar if you take 3 minutes to set up an "editing toolbar".

Coloured markup simulates 'old school' editing better than does 'highlight and annotate'.

It allows the writer to simply ignore all blue (which is simple correction) and concentrate on red and margin notes (which indicate content problems). How very confusing for them.

Why would you want the writer to ignore simple corrections? How are they supposed to improve? Having them ignore part of the corrections makes no sense.

 

[baphemetis]

Of course if you were a real, trained editor, you wouldn't have to buy a computer program just for Literotica. You'd already have it.

Careful! That comment may be misinterpreted as being unnecessarily elitist.

In any event, it's not entirely accurate. I am a trained, professional editor, but I don't have special editing software on my home computer. I don't work from home, and I certainly wouldn't dream about bringing erotic fiction to the office to edit.

 

[sr71plt]

And if you weren't an asshole . . .

No, editing is not my profession. So what? What is your "training"? You used the phrase and word, "very well" and "actually" earlier. That indicates that though you have some sort of "editor training" you are not a very good editor. I would not engage your services.

Excuse me (again). I gave a straightforward response to a question, and you were a bitch about it. So, don't talk to me about assholes.

My training is that I have an advanced degree in editing and publishing from the University of Virginia and I've edited over 150 books for mainstream publishers. If you want to send me something you've written (you've posted nothing to Lit.), I'll be happy to edit it and show you I'm a professional editor. And, I wager, show you at the same time that you are a fraud for putting out a shingle as an editor here without any credentials. And then ragging on those of us who are.

If you want to get really bitchy about it, PM me your credentials and I'll give you the URL to my professional Web site.

 

[sr71plt]

Careful! That comment may be misinterpreted as being unnecessarily elitist.

In any event, it's not entirely accurate. I am a trained, professional editor, but I don't have special editing software on my home computer. I don't work from home, and I certainly wouldn't dream about bringing erotic fiction to the office to edit.

Well, seeing how some of the stories here are butchered by volunteer editors and yahoos here want to be individuals as editors rather than following recognized standards, it's hard not to be elitist and not to try to protect the innocent writers.

Bullshit to your claim of being a professional editor at the office and not having a decent computer editing program at home if you edit at home. I don't believe you. This is the twenty-first century, and professional editors aren't that backward.

 

[sr71plt]

Please, SR, why do you have to be intimidating when we have virgins offering their assistance? Yes, we all know how great you are, how many skills you have, all of the knowledge you possess, you've made it abundantly clear on so many occasions. But can you not make a little room for someone else? Unless you're willing to take on the workload yourself, which you won't.

Virgins shouldn't be offering their assistance to an unwitting public, AS. As some point in time, I'd think that would sink in with you.

Virgins should have their virginity removed and get the proper credentials before putting out their shingles. Otherwise they could be honest with the writers and volunteer to be a reader and to give just their uneducated opinions--clearly identifying them as such.

Short of that they are being frauds to writers who assume they have expertise that they don't.

The credo of editing is "first do no harm."

 

[baphemetis]

Bullshit to your claim of being a professional editor at the office and not having a decent computer editing program at home if you edit at home. I don't believe you. This is the twenty-first century, and professional editors aren't that backward.

I'm sorry you feel this way. I don't have anything against you, but I also have nothing to prove to you. I value my anonymity and I am not going to mix business with pleasure.

I will say that I don't have your credentials. However, you can't make the claim that there is no editor in the world who works in an office unless you have personally investigated all of them. I don't know why you find it so difficult to believe, but that's your prerogative.

 

[sr71plt]

However, you can't make the claim that there is no editor in the world who works in an office

Ummm, no. I can't say that. And didn't.

When you've been around here for a while and seen what screwy things the untrained can baldly advise, I think you'll rail against it now and then yourself.

In many cases, the "editors" don't know anything better than the writers they are claiming to be able to help. Editing is a profession. You don't just self-select to do it and hang out a shingle to dupe the unsuspecting writers. Well, apparently here you do.

 

[LissaSue]

Virgins shouldn't be offering their assistance to an unwitting public

If we are unwanted, then Lit should say so. Not you. Until Lit tells us we are no longer needed or that there is special schooling required, we'll keep helping the best way we can. Hopefully, without the nasty attitudes and biases of some that show when they are faced with others who haven't had the same educational opportunities, but have the same driving desire to help.

I'm not saying that people should start blind, but they should feel comfortable coming here for help when they're willing to learn. Not like they've been shut down and made to feel completly worthless.

 

[sr71plt]

Virgins shouldn't be offering their assistance to an unwitting public

If we are unwanted, then Lit should say so. Not you. Until Lit tells us we are no longer needed or that there is special schooling required, we'll keep helping the best way we can. Hopefully, without the nasty attitudes and biases of some that show when they are faced with others who haven't had the same educational opportunities, but have the same driving desire to help.

I'm not saying that people should start blind, but they should feel comfortable coming here for help when they're willing to learn. Not like they've been shut down and made to feel completly worthless.

This started when kbate called me a "sick man" for giving a straightforward response on a word-rendering request on another thread. Check it out for yourself (the "past tense of cum?" thread).

I'm tired of this backbiting for giving standard, authority-backed guidance here. And on top of that, people not wanting to put in the work to learn anything about the craft giving uneducated, unhelpful advice to unwitting writers just because someone wants to pretend to be something they aren't--and can usually get away with it on the Internet.

I'm quite willing to establish my credentials for giving editorial advice in PMs to either the moderator here, MistressLynn, or PennLady. I trust both to be discrete.

Anyone who wants to rag on my advice, just speak up. I'll do just that. And expect them to do so as well. But I won't require that. I know my credentials are good enough to be giving writing and editorial advice here.

It's me--and actual helpful advice--getting shut down here often, LissaSue. Usually by frauds. The writers here deserve better.

I'm willing to vet myself to the forum moderator. Are you? Is kbate?

 

[LissaSue]

I am not questioning your credentials in any way, SR. In fact, I respect who you are and what you do. All that I ask is a little kindness to the scared newbies who want only to help and learn.

I understand that sharing knowledge is one of the greatest kindnesses out there, and honor you for doing so. There are many who would sooner clam up and watch people drown than try and teach them something. However, I'd like to point out that your words can come across as extremly intimidating. Especially to those who are stepping out into something that is new to them.

If I might, I would suggest a softening of words (I'd say tone but it's hard to do that here) and a slightly more personal approach when offering golden bits of knowledge. It could help to people more at ease and better able to accept your tutorage.

But, this is after all, only my suggestion of how I would try to handle people. You are your own person.

 

[sr71plt]

I am not questioning your credentials in any way, SR. In fact, I respect who you are and what you do. All that I ask is a little kindness to the scared newbies who want only to help and learn.

I understand that sharing knowledge is one of the greatest kindnesses out there, and honor you for doing so. There are many who would sooner clam up and watch people drown than try and teach them something. However, I'd like to point out that your words can come across as extremly intimidating. Especially to those who are stepping out into something that is new to them.

If I might, I would suggest a softening of words (I'd say tone but it's hard to do that here) and a slightly more personal approach when offering golden bits of knowledge. It could help to people more at ease and better able to accept your tutorage.

But, this is after all, only my suggestion of how I would try to handle people. You are your own person.

I am kind to newbes--right up until they or someone else dumps on me. Which is what started this this evening. And people here who feel threatened because their pretense is challenged gleefully dump on me whenever they get the chance.

I give more help to newbes here that anyone else I can identify.

In fact, this whole thing is me trying to protect newbe writers.

If you want to help newbes and you don't have the training to be an editor, don't dupe them by claiming that you are an editor. "Editor" is a professional title presuming training and/or education in the craft. Volunteer to read what they have as another set of eyes and give advice honestly identified as untrained.

And now I have vetted my editorial credentials with the moderator. Anyone who wants to doubt me is challenged to do the same.