cowritter vs editor

[firesflair]

ok, so I will admit quite easily that I consider myself a low talented newb in regards to writing stories, so I have one big question. what is the difference between a co-writer/author and an editor?
A few years a go I had a story edited (on a different site), I didn't know what to expect (and still don't), and was shocked that there were more then grammatical/spelling changes. It felt more like the person helped me write the story then fine-tune it.

also, when would you use/find a co-author/writer, and when would you use/find an editor?

 

[Stella_Omega]

A co-writer would really write the story with you. You'd invite someone to write with you for whatever reason. Then the whole thing would probably have to be passed to an editor.

There are two kinds of editors: copy, and content. A copy editor concentrates on grammar and spelling. They might change sentences to make them more accurate, IF you've agreed with them about doing that.

A content editor might go much further. They might point out plot holes, ask you to make major changes in elements of your writing. But they wouldn't normally do it themselves.

If an editor does something you didn't ask for, you can say so-- and revert your manuscript. You might have a poor fit.

 

[Weird Harold]

also, when would you use/find a co-author/writer, and when would you use/find an editor?

I look for a co-author when I get stuck on a story and don't know how to handle a scene or plotline.

I look for editors/beta readers when I think a story is ready to submit and want the additional eyes to find any errors/inconsistencies to make it perfect.

As Stella said, the bottom line is that it is your story when it goes to an editor and you have the final choice to accept or reject any changes. When it goes back and forth to a co-author, you have to compromise on any changes.

 

[lovecraft68]

ok, so I will admit quite easily that I consider myself a low talented newb in regards to writing stories, so I have one big question. what is the difference between a co-writer/author and an editor?
A few years a go I had a story edited (on a different site), I didn't know what to expect (and still don't), and was shocked that there were more then grammatical/spelling changes. It felt more like the person helped me write the story then fine-tune it.

also, when would you use/find a co-author/writer, and when would you use/find an editor?

Stella and Harold covered this much better than I could but one more thing I would like to toss in is this. I would think a difference would be a co-author/writer would want credit or that you would mention them and give them credit rather than make as if you wrote it yourself.

I mention this because recently in a comment section an author mentioned that someone writes some of his scenes but had never mentioned it before and took some heat and lost a little credibility (not that I think we have much here) and now it becomes well what else doesn't he write.

So if you are entertaining the idea of a co author be fair and upfront in your authors notes right off the bat.

 

[firesflair]

ok, thanks you guys. your answers make sense, and clarify this a lot.