can i reject a job after i have agreed to look?

[sexylilmissie]

I have a piece that I am supposed to be editing that is absolute trash. The person that sent it to me didn't even bother to run a spell check on it before they sent it, each sentence requires major reconstruction to make it even make sense.

I am wondering if it is acceptable to write up a really long list of suggestions for improvement and send it back for a rewrite (even though I am finally to the point I would really rather tell them their story is trash and I would suggest to just delete it and save the world some agony)

yes I am now in a foul mood...blame it on the writers lol

 

[KillerMuffin]

Whatever you do, sound professional and polite. That always helps in the long run. You can write a letter (email letter) that's professional and not too lengthy that lists a series of problems and possible resources the writer could use to correct them. Be encouraging, of course, but don't lie.

 

[sylph54]

I agree with Muffin.

An editor is not obligated to spend more time with a piece than the writer.

 

[HawaiiBill]

Recommend the writers' resources

Literotica does a very good job in posting a fine section of resources for writers, from Strunk and White to our own Killer Muffin. Only two 'unprepared' pieces have come to me and, in both cases, the wanna-be authors were sent there -- gently and with encouragement that they keep trying.

It might be helpful if there were more encouragement on our submission page(s) and forms, to look into this fine collection before sending those literary gems along. Most folks have no idea what the writing process entails but, once exposed to the depth of the task, can find a more realistic view on getting their ideas into readable form.

 

[hiddenself]

I would probably give details on the first one or two paragraphs to show the author what level of rewriting is needed. I would then suggest that the author spend some time reading others' stories before attempting to rewrite/edit his/her own. I would finish by saying that it's only my opinion and other editors (or the readers) may disagree -- so the author should feel free to try someone else or whatever.

 

[HawaiiBill]

I would finish by saying that it's only my opinion and other editors (or the readers) may disagree -- so the author should feel free to try someone else or whatever.

Strongly recommended:

Assume authority. Of course it is your opinion but that's what the writer wanted. My only point is that young or new writers need some straight talk. They're wanting to be writers, not coddled. Giving them candid and understandable reactions to their work helps.

If necessary to cushion your advice, talk about the theme or subject of the piece, NOT the writing. If there is anything there at all, in terms of story, help the writer to express that more successfully. Helps to avoid the bogs of detail for spelling, grammar, etc.

Right, I had one submission from a typist who had no intention whatsoever of being a "writer." He just wanted to get something off his chest through a main character impossible to like. That's what I told him I read in his piece. He hadn't seen it and he needed to have it pointed out.

 

[Weird Harold]

I would probably give details on the first one or two paragraphs to show the author what level of rewriting is needed. I would then suggest that the author spend some time reading others' stories before attempting to rewrite/edit his/her own.

When I encountered stories with recurring errors, I'd fix the first dozen occurances and add a note that the author needed to track down the rest of them.

I returned several stories with only the first 1/4 to 1/3 actually edited with a suggestion the author fix the rest of the story and send it back for a second edit. (most of them did send the revised story back for a seond edit, so I must not have hurt their feelings too badly.)

 

[Aaron Dazer]

Writers Stand point

For some one with both bad Spelling and Grammar. I'd say be as Honest as possible with out being Insulting. if you can't even follow my point because of bad writing I’d like to know, or other wise what's the point. Also if your just being nice and can't stand the genre or Plot say so, Most writers are looking for help not to torment an Editor. Or the Polite

“something come up and I don’t have the time I though I did, and I don’t know when I can get back to it sorry.”

And there are lazy people out there, that want to see how much they can get someone else to do. Identify them and say I’ll gladly edit your Draft, After you do.

 

[sexylilmissie]

Thanks everyone, I did sit down and write a series of pointers. I also included a few of the glaring mistakes and requested that the person repair them.

I also did offer to try it again after they had shown me an effort of fixing the mistakes, but never heard another word about it. I suppose even though I did my best to sound encouraging as the plot line wasn't bad, either I discouraged them anyway, they took it to another editor or are still fixing errors.

Either way, it is now out of my hands and I an satisfied for the moment.

 

[snooper]

You could try returning it with a cover note saying:

Sorry. You sent me an early draft (before spell-check and re-read) by mistake. Please could you send me the latest version?