Disheartened

[AylahAyres]

I have been editor for many years but I am new to Lit. In the past few days I have received several pieces to edit. One gentleman I reviewed sent me a message of thanks for taking the time and hard work. I replied that I signed up as a volunteer editor to help. After a long conversation it came out that there are several editors on here that are not as helpful but damaging.
he was told he was an idiot to even think he could write something people would want to read.
That is appalling. As an editor a person who chooses to share a piece of themselves to be picked apart, reshaped and scrutinized is hard enough. Cutting people down is not okay. I hope the editor reads this...
If all you want to do is judge people on how worthy you think their work is put down the red pen and become a critic.

Ticked off,
Aylah

 

[RodenAddison]

I have been editor for many years but I am new to Lit. In the past few days I have received several pieces to edit. One gentleman I reviewed sent me a message of thanks for taking the time and hard work. I replied that I signed up as a volunteer editor to help. After a long conversation it came out that there are several editors on here that are not as helpful but damaging.
he was told he was an idiot to even think he could write something people would want to read.
That is appalling. As an editor a person who chooses to share a piece of themselves to be picked apart, reshaped and scrutinized is hard enough. Cutting people down is not okay. I hope the editor reads this...
If all you want to do is judge people on how worthy you think their work is put down the red pen and become a critic.

Ticked off,
Aylah

Sad isn't it? I feel bad for people who take that approach. I don't know how you can feel taller by pushing someone down into the mud. It's a horrible approach to live rooted in the first grade.

I hope the guy keeps writing. The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun and I believe that's true, but there's usually a better way, or another more entertaining way to say it.

 

[olivemarie]

How horrible! Is there a "recommended editors" thread or something similar people can check out? There's always recommended authors to read, but I think it could be beneficial to reference helpful editors.

 

[AylahAyres]

You should start one.

 

[PennLady]

How horrible! Is there a "recommended editors" thread or something similar people can check out? There's always recommended authors to read, but I think it could be beneficial to reference helpful editors.

There are lists by the month of available editors. I can't say if they're good or not, but they are probably a little more reliable than the VE list.

No, I haven't seen a recommended editors list. I can see some problems, though. People may take offense at being left off the list. A bigger problem is that editors may than get overwhelmed by requests and have to turn people down.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Aylah, what you say is horrific. I've edited a bit but I don't do it on a regular basis as I travel too much.

No-one has the right to say a writer should not be writing. You do your best in copy-editing - punctuation and CMS are not for everyone - then give your take on plotting and structure. Most people I've done work for seem to be grateful for the effort.

What's the expression? Great oaks from little acorns grow. Everyone has to start somewhere and fiction - erotic or not - is not easy. We didn't learn it in school and lit is a place for wannabees to get a leg up with a tad of advice.

 

[AylahAyres]

I have gotten a lot of feed back on the issue I'm glad there is so many people as shocked about it as I am. Oh little acrons....

 

[LaRascasse]

And I'm willing to bet none of these "exalted" editors are great writers either. They are just trolls who decided to be VEs.

Nowadays I edit only for my regulars, but back when I took on new authors, I made it a point not to hurt anyone's feelings. They shared something they invested some time and effort into with me for my skills and don't deserve to be badmouthed.

Well all except this one woman who never quite got the Lit memo about pedophilia being a no-no(and complete non-con for that matter). That story, I politely tossed back where it came from.

 

[MarieWriter]

VE and comments

As a VE, I sure hope I'm not a troll. LOL I love to write and honestly, editing makes me a better writer-- lets me see grammar issues and errors that my own eyes will become blind to in my work...

I have a profile on here about being a VE--

http://www.literotica.com/editors/editorpage.php?uid=1411064

plus I post in the monthly available forum when I am available.

I edit the story for grammar and comp., etc.. Not for how good or bad a story is, that's SUBJECTIVE-- not factual. If I am asked questions about stories or how I think they might be made better from a readers/writers/editors perspective, I will answer that. But to tell someone to stop writing?!! Wow, that's harsh.

I doubt is many of us on here are making six figures in the book writing department-- So enjoy it and write. Or get over yourself.

Oh and on a side note--- I did once turned down an edit because of the subject material-- Never even saw the story-- and the author sent me back an email hammering me and calling me names because I wouldn't look at his story.. LOL

Jerks abound....

 

[sissykristine123]

I am new to the editing process and serve as a volunteer in hopes of helping others and being part of the process. There is no rational point in telling someone they can not write well. To do so is very insensitive and harmful to their process. Readers decide what is worth reading and what is not. I suppose publishers weigh worth and well they should. With that said, as a VE I serve as neither a consumer or publisher. Perhaps whomever (or is it whoever) said these hurtful things should withdraw from editing and become a little league coach.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

... Is there a "recommended editors" thread or something similar people can check out? ...

The nearest thing to that is the annual "Most Helpful Editor" competition. (http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=806008) That also has the disadvantage that winners are likely to be inundated with requests.

And I'm willing to bet none of these "exalted" editors are great writers either. They are just trolls who decided to be VEs. ...

That is simply not true. Some such "trolls" may exist, but editing involves too much work for the average troll.

... honestly, editing makes me a better writer ...

That was also true for me.

 

[Sanidia]

I have only edited a few stories on here but have never said anything of the sorts to an author! and would never think too!
I agree with the above comments, recommended editors, whoever these people are are giving us willing editor's a bad name...

so disappointed

 

[palisa]

And I'm willing to bet none of these "exalted" editors are great writers either.

Off-topic, but you're really talking about two different sets of skills. They don't necessarily overlap, especially if you're talking about fiction writing.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

OK, I agree, but editing seems to have become a weasel word that covers copy editing, literary editing and even beta reading etc..

In my opinion, the best editors don't publish and the best writers don't edit. They are totally different disciplines - at least if you're professional.

 

[_Lynn_]

OK, I agree, but editing seems to have become a weasel word that covers copy editing, literary editing and even beta reading etc..

In my opinion, the best editors don't publish and the best writers don't edit. They are totally different disciplines - at least if you're professional.

I do agree with your first statement. Editor/editing covers many things here. The VE program doesn't require any proof of a person's ability and Lit doesn't offer the different levels.

I am wondering why you believe 'the best writers don't edit' and 'the best editors don't publish', though. They are two separate skills, yes, but many people have more than one skill.
(Just for discussion . . . not to argue.)

 

[sr71plt]

Some just don't edit in genres or category (fiction/nonfiction) in which they write.

Conversely, the skills being different (which I agree they are) doesn't mean that someone can't have talent for both of the skills. To declare axiomatically that they can't overlap is unfounded sweeping generalization.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

No, I didn't mean the skills of editing and writing were mutually exclusive, just that most seem to specialize in one or other discipline given experience and recognition.

 

[gentledemands]

elfin. Your avatar is the sexiest set of four lines I have ever seen.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

elfin. Your avatar is the sexiest set of four lines I have ever seen.

Sir, I blush in pride at your charming compliment.

 

[EbersMoll]

I have been editor for many years but I am new to Lit. In the past few days I have received several pieces to edit. One gentleman I reviewed sent me a message of thanks for taking the time and hard work. I replied that I signed up as a volunteer editor to help. After a long conversation it came out that there are several editors on here that are not as helpful but damaging.
he was told he was an idiot to even think he could write something people would want to read.
That is appalling. As an editor a person who chooses to share a piece of themselves to be picked apart, reshaped and scrutinized is hard enough. Cutting people down is not okay. I hope the editor reads this...
If all you want to do is judge people on how worthy you think their work is put down the red pen and become a critic.

Ticked off,
Aylah

Sadly, Lit also lacks some of the checks and balances of more traditional publishing approaches. This affects a number of aspects of the creative process.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Sadly, Lit also lacks some of the checks and balances of more traditional publishing approaches. This affects a number of aspects of the creative process.

That's not altogether a bad thing. Some people enjoy writing and sharing their work with an audience, even if their writing skills aren't at a professional standard, and Lit gives them an outlet - which means they get the opportunity to improve their skills.

In traditional, professional publishing the bar is much higher. When I'm doing paid tech editing I approach that with a professional attitude, which means being thorough, timely, and polite. But I'm also going to be tougher on my authors than I would in an amateur setting - my employer is paying them to do a job, and if they're not competent for that job then they shouldn't be doing it.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

... When I'm doing paid tech editing I approach that with a professional attitude, which means being thorough, timely, and polite. But I'm also going to be tougher on my authors than I would in an amateur setting - my employer is paying them to do a job, and if they're not competent for that job then they shouldn't be doing it.

So you do an inferior job as a VE than you would if you were being paid?

Isn't that selling your authors short?

While I always try to be polite, I do not let authors off errors they have made. I do, however, try to use humour to ease the blow. For example to correct "She opened her leg wide" I would say "Plural needed - assuming she has two or more legs".

 

[lovecraft68]

So you do an inferior job as a VE than you would if you were being paid?

Isn't that selling your authors short?

While I always try to be polite, I do not let authors off errors they have made. I do, however, try to use humour to ease the blow. For example to correct "She opened her leg wide" I would say "Plural needed - assuming she has two or more legs".

The humor is a nice touch one editor I had did that and was so funny I would scroll through the story hoping for another mistake and clever one liner.

Sometimes though if it was a bad one it would be "really LC, Really?"

 

[Brandie69]

In a sense, editing is necessarily being critical. It does take a certain effort and maybe skill to do it in a way that isn't hurtful. Humor is good, if you can muster it. If that fails, simply being clinical is a good fall-back position.

Sometimes when I'm by myself reading what someone else has written, I'll sit here swearing out loud. But that's never what I write on the paper, even if it's been submitted for a grade.

Unfortunately, I think a system for rating volunteer editors would be unworkable, because the good ones would quickly be swamped. And if it became common to tell on the bad ones here, this could become a fairly unpleasant place.

 

[Bramblethorn]

So you do an inferior job as a VE than you would if you were being paid?

No. Where did I say anything about doing an inferior job? It's not even an option; I'm a perfectionist when it comes to editing, I'll correct anything I see.

But this thread started with discussion of editors passing judgement on whether a writer should be writing at all. In a VE setting, it's generally inappropriate for an editor to make that judgement - unless they're giving bad medical advice or similar, even crap writers have the right to tell a story.

In a professional setting, it may be entirely appropriate for an editor to say "this guy is not competent in the job he's been hired for, and you shouldn't hire him again".

(If I sound grumpy just now, it's because I'm getting towards the tail-end of a 700-page editing job where the authors don't understand some of the fundamentals of the subject they're supposed to be teaching to others. This results in a LOT of extra work for yours truly.)