Do You Use an Editor?

[drksideofthemoon]

I'm to chicken to go to the SDC. I can take a little criticism but I don't know if I could handle having my storys scrutinized like that. I don't think I have even one that would stand up to well.

What's SDC? At first I worried about what people thought about my stories, I used to worry about feedback, and getting my ego stroked, I used to worry about my scores, and the number of votes.

I got sick of trying to pander to everyone. Now, I don't care. I don't care if anyone reads my stories, I don't care if anyone likes them. It is still nice to hear from people if they do like my work, but it doesn't matter if they do. I write to please only one person now, and that is myself.

And now that I don't care, I think I'm a better writer...

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

What's SDC? At first I worried about what people thought about my stories, I used to worry about feedback, and getting my ego stroked, I used to worry about my scores, and the number of votes.

I got sick of trying to pander to everyone. Now, I don't care. I don't care if anyone reads my stories, I don't care if anyone likes them. It is still nice to hear from people if they do like my work, but it doesn't matter if they do. I write to please only one person now, and that is myself.

And now that I don't care, I think I'm a better writer...

If I didn't want other people to read my stuff, I wouldn't post it. I do write to please others, just not everybody. I would care if nobody read my stuff and I would care if nobody liked my stuff. I just don't care that some people don't read it or like it.

 

[BlackShanglan]

You'd be surprised how much it doesn't hurt.

Besides, I met Shanglan there.

Ah, I remember it well. One of my finest Lit memories.

One really does meet the best people on the SDC. They're generally a kind bunch, and especially if you tell them what you want. If you let them know that you wouldn't say no to a little reassurance, they're a gentle lot. If you tell them that you're looking for a really thorough shake-down, they'll give it to you straight. I've enjoyed every experience I've had there, and the help and advice I've been given has done marvellous things for the works critiqued. Even when I get advice I don't agree with, reasoning out for myslef why I disagree inevitably helps me to sharpen my own sense of my goals.

Shanglan

 

[drksideofthemoon]

If I didn't want other people to read my stuff, I wouldn't post it. I do write to please others, just not everybody. I would care if nobody read my stuff and I would care if nobody liked my stuff. I just don't care that some people don't read it or like it.

I do hope that people read my work, but whether 1 person, or 100,000 people read it, it doesn't matter any more. What matters is the enjoyment I get of creating something, and the feeling that I am getting better at writing.

I don't write what I think people will want, I don't write to become popular, I write what interests me. I don't write to get the little "H", or the "W", or the "E"(fat chance of that one ever happening). If I get one comment, or one email about a story that says, "That reminded me of...or I remember..." then, that's enough, for me.

I hope that makes a little more sense...

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

I do hope that people read my work, but whether 1 person, or 100,000 people read it, it doesn't matter any more. What matters is the enjoyment I get of creating something, and the feeling that I am getting better at writing.

I don't write what I think people will want, I don't write to become popular, I write what interests me. I don't write to get the little "H", or the "W", or the "E"(fat chance of that one ever happening). If I get one comment, or one email about a story that says, "That reminded me of...or I remember..." then, that's enough, for me.

I hope that makes a little more sense...

Perfect sense.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Ah, I remember it well. One of my finest Lit memories.

Mine too, truly.

 

[simulacre]

I've been editing others for a few years, in French I'll edit for grammar, structure, make suggestions on the story and characters if needed. In English I ask the author to have someone else take a look at grammar (since I'm not qualified) but I'll edit for everything else. I only suggest, I color code everything, add notes along the way and take the time to mention strengths as well as flaws (otherwise it could be quite discouraging for the author). I don't usually rewrite parts that need rewriting for them because I fear my style might interfere with theirs, instead I try to explain clearly why it doesn't work, once they understand why they usually know how to rewrite. When I do make suggestions on how to rewrite I'll try to at least give two to chose from (more if I can come up with it because it gives them more freedom).

When it comes to my own stories, I eventually get to a point where I don't see my mistakes anymore. I rewrite a lot, work my stories word by word but there's always the "what I think is there" problem and I miss a few spelling mistakes sometimes because I'm concentrating on something else. My latest, I decided I needed an editor and went in search of one through the volunteer program, without luck. I finally posted in the editor's forum and was met with an answer. I was hoping for someone who would give my story the same respect I give other's. I was a bit reluctant, knowing that I bend a few rules and wondering if the editor would recognise that I do this on purpuse. But I figured if I didn't like it, all I had to do was not take her suggestions into consideration. So I sent my story along with questions about two aspects I was concerned about. Guess I was lucky, it was a great experience, she picked up on a few spelling mistakes that had been overlooked and the one suggestion for change that she made she simply highligted the word putting a note beside it asking me if I was sure I wanted to use that word (I wasn't and I changed it). She took the time to address my concerns about the two points I had mentionned, explaining why she tought I shouldn't change it. I'm going to use her services again!

My advice if you're looking for an editor:

-If they write themselves, take the time to read their stories and pick one that doesn't have the same strengths you do. It might be tempting to pick one whose style resembles your own because they'll tend to agree with you but one that is strong in areas where you're weak will give you so much more to work with.

-If you have a bad experience with one. Thank them for their help and go looking for someone else, you'll eventually find one that suits you, dont give up because you'll always improve once you've found a good one. They're not all alike and since you're the writer you get to chose. (It's more difficult to do that if you use friends as editors, so I'd say use friends only if you're sure they will suit your needs).

-Send them the story only once you've done all the editing you can do, it's a simple matter of respect for them. It's annoying to receive a story that obviously hasn't even been reread and that annoyance can lead to a refusal or a less thorough work.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Excellent list, Simulacre. I would add this as well: tell the editor exactly what sort of editing you are looking for. Sometimes I want someone to look at a very early draft and just tell me if the premise sounds interesting and the characters are starting to make a little sense. At other times I need help with a style edit - someone to tell me where a narrator isn't coming across as sympathetic (bless you, Rika, for that!) or when metaphor describing one of the characters is God-awfully wrong (thanks, Carson, as always, for the phrase "Please. God. Stop it."). Once I'm done all of that, I can always use another set of eyes to notice where I've missed a typo or left out a word that my brain filled in. The key thing, I think, is to make sure that the editor knows which of those stages you're at and what you want. There's no point in your editor wasting his/her time and annoying you by correcting comma errors in a first-off rough draft from which whole paragraphs will eventually be cut; similarly, whatever the editor's vision for the piece might be, if you consider the story done and just in need of proofing, you can spare yourself and the editor much grief and work by saying this clearly up front.

Shanglan

 

[JRaven]

When I posted my first story, "The Graduation Present", I really worked feverishly on it. I re-read it so many times, I could almost quote it verbatim. Then in a moment of self doubt, I decided not to post it all. About a month later, I changed my mind. (women are allowed to do that) When I re-read it again, I found a ton of many errors. I fixed them. But, I again decided not to post it. Two months after that, I found it again on my PC. There weren't so many errors. I easily fixed them. Then, I decided to let my husband read it. When half way through, he unzipped his pants. I decided that it was good enough to post.
(BTW, it's up for vetting into the Erotic Anthology.)

For my second story, "Matt's Attitude Adjustment", I decided to use the volunteer editor program. I emailed an editor and never got a response. I emailed a second. I emailed a third. I decided the hell with it. I went through the story again and fixed the errors I found. It hasn't done very well.

Eight stories later (as of midnight tonight!), I think that my best editor is time. Leave the story alone for a few months, then go back to it. You forget what you meant, read what you actually wrote. The mistakes will glare at you.

I might try SDC. I do have a story that is over 30,000 words. I'd be happy if it were as small as Darkside's 20,000. But I just cant seem to figure out what to take out of the story. I have NO idea where to break it up into chapters.

But first, I do have a gentleman that has suggested giving it a good read. As soon as he sends me his email addy, I'll email it to him. (hint, hint)

Jenny

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I might try SDC. I do have a story that is over 30,000 words. I'd be happy if it were as small as Darkside's 20,000. But I just cant seem to figure out what to take out of the story. I have NO idea where to break it up into chapters.

Hey give me time, when I first started writing I thought 5000 words was a big deal, when I hit 10K I was amazed, 15K blew my mind....and now the last two chapters of Montana Summer are in the 20K range...I'll be at 30K in a month or two...LOL!!

I wish I could help you on the chapter break dilemna, I have a rough idea how chapters are supposed to work. My chapters aren't really chapters, more of a pt1, pt 2, pt3 kind of thing....

What is SDC?

 

[damppanties]

What is SDC?

The Story Discussion Circle - Guided author criticism of specific stories.

You should at least visit, even if you're too intimidated to participate.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

The Story Discussion Circle - Guided author criticism of specific stories.

You should at least visit, even if you're too intimidated to participate.

Oh there!! I don't know why I would be intimidated though...

 

[damppanties]

Oh there!! I don't know why I would be intimidated though...

Most people do.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Most people do.

Imtimidated is what you are when you are looking down the wrong end of a barrel of a gun...

I don't think I would be intimidated...

 

[damppanties]

I don't think I would be intimidated...

Good, that.

The word I wanted was awe, perhaps.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Good, that.

The word I wanted was awe, perhaps.

Awe....I would have been in awe if I had ever met Pope John Paul II, I would be in awe if I met His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, I don't think awed is how I would feel about some people reading my smutty little tales....

Here is a sample of the piece I am working on...tell me what you think of it...

Ryan stared at the fire as he sat on the rock, he looked up at Charlie, “You know I wasn’t scared yesterday, not of dying, I didn’t get scared until I got home.”

Charlie nodded, “There is a strength when you are doing right, there is a power in the truth, and it can make us all feel ten feet tall”

“Are you afraid of dying?” Ryan looked at Charlie.

“No,” Charlie poked at the fire with a stick, and then looked at Ryan, “When the pale rider comes for me, I will welcome him with open arms, and embrace him like an old friend, I will kiss his cheeks. To fear your death, is to fear your life, death will come to everyone. It is as important as your birth, the beginning of your life, death is a part of your life; it is the end of your life. Worrying about your death that will surely come is wasting your life. I have had a good life, and I have danced in many Sun Dances, and I have tried to observe and keep the old ways alive. I am a lucky man, I have lived two lives, I have lived in the land of my father, and his father, I have a strong son, I am a respected man. I have loved, and been loved by many women,” Charlie paused for a moment and looked over at Walter, “Even my wife.”

Walt just chuckled and shook his head.

“What did you mean, you had lived two lives?” Ryan asked his eyes were on Charlie.

Charlie stopped playing with the fire and looked up at the stars, “When I was about your age, or maybe a little younger I was an angry young man. I blamed all of my weaknesses and faults on every one else. I lived in a whiskey bottle, and I was a drunkard, I wouldn’t listen to my father and mother, I caused them great pain, and even greater shame. Finally an old man came and talked to me one day when I was in jail, and asked me why I had no pride. I asked him what did I have to be proud of; I was an Indian living on a reservation. He shook his head, and told me that my ancestors roamed the plains; part of the greatest light cavalry in the world, they fought with Tatanka Yotanka, or Sitting Bull. He told me that some of my ancestors probably died at Wounded Knee. He said to deny pride in myself was to deny my ancestors. He told me that I was Lakota, and to take pride in that. He took me to my first AA meeting, and through him I learned the way of the warrior. And that began my second life.”

“What do you do now? Ryan couldn’t remember anyone telling him what Charlie did for a living.

Walt snorted, “He’s the chief, he just causes a lot of trouble for the rest of us.”

Charlie shook his head and rolled his eyes, “Damn kids.”

Ryan stared at the fire for the longest time and then looked at Charlie, “I remember becoming a warrior…”

Walter sat in silence, and waited for his father’s response.

Charlie nodded his head, “I thought that you might”

“I remember what it meant, and how it felt. There was honor among them then, and I remember something else,” Ryan eyes were locked on to the flames licking at the wood in the fire.

Charlie’s voice was gentle, “What else do you remember?”

“How proud I was to be Lakota, there was never any fear in me, and maybe that is part of the reason I wasn’t scared yesterday,” he looked at Charlie, and Walter, “I know I’m not Lakota, and I will never be, but I know what it is to be one.”

“You may not have been born of a Lakota mother, or had a Lakota father, but in your soul you are one of our people, and you have the heart of a warrior. You proved that yesterday. In the old times what you did yesterday would have made you a warrior in the eyes of the village, yesterday you met the enemy, and you counted coup,” Charlie’s voice carried a lot of conviction as he spoke, “You have met the Wanagi, you have had a visit from your spirit guide, and you have defended the sanctity of this place, in my eyes you are as much a Lakota as me, or my sons.”

 

[damppanties]

I don't think awed is how I would feel about some people reading my smutty little tales....

They do a lot more than read, but if smutty little tales are all you write, then I don't think you'd be interested in SDC.

Here is a sample of the piece I am working on...tell me what you think of it...

I like it a lot. I'd like to see the whole thing though.

Charlie stopped playing with the fire and looked up at the stars, “When I was about your age, or maybe a little younger I was an angry young man. I blamed all of my weaknesses and faults on every one else. I lived in a whiskey bottle, and I was a drunkard, I wouldn’t listen to my father and mother, I caused them great pain, and even greater shame. Finally an old man came and talked to me one day when I was in jail, and asked me why I had no pride. I asked him what did I have to be proud of; I was an Indian living on a reservation. He shook his head, and told me that my ancestors roamed the plains; part of the greatest light cavalry in the world, they fought with Tatanka Yotanka, or Sitting Bull. He told me that some of my ancestors probably died at Wounded Knee. He said to deny pride in myself was to deny my ancestors. He told me that I was Lakota, and to take pride in that. He took me to my first AA meeting, and through him I learned the way of the warrior. And that began my second life.”

You know, on one hand, you write this. And then you also say you write 'smutty little tales'. Is that too much modesty, humour or putting down your stuff? I didn't really get it.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

They do a lot more than read, but if smutty little tales are all you write, then I don't think you'd be interested in SDC.



I like it a lot. I'd like to see the whole thing though.


You know, on one hand, you write this. And then you also say you write 'smutty little tales'. Is that too much modesty, humour or putting down your stuff? I didn't really get it.

Humor, more than anything, I don't put down my own work. I view my work much as I view myself, my work is what it is, and I am who I am, nothing more, and nothing less.

It is an excerpt from Montana Summer Ch 08. Montana Summer started out as sex with a bit of a story to it, like most of my work, I do try to tell a story. Somewhere along the way, something happened the story became the driving force, the eroticism was secondary.

If you want to see the whole story send me a pm with your email, I will send you a copy of the rough draft.

 

[damppanties]

Humor, more than anything, I don't put down my own work. I view my work much as I view myself, my work is what it is, and I am who I am, nothing more, and nothing less.

It is an excerpt from Montana Summer Ch 08. Montana Summer started out as sex with a bit of a story to it, like most of my work, I do try to tell a story. Somewhere along the way, something happened the story became the driving force, the eroticism was secondary.

If you want to see the whole story send me a pm with your email, I will send you a copy of the rough draft.

It's really hard to guess on discussion boards if you're not using smileys. I'm glad I asked.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

It's really hard to guess on discussion boards if you're not using smileys. I'm glad I asked.

I'm glad you asked too... <--- thats two in one night...

 

[damppanties]

I'm glad you asked too... <--- thats two in one night...

Now I'm just so proud of myself. To introduce someone to the world of smileys... Ahhh... pure bliss!

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Now I'm just so proud of myself. To introduce someone to the world of smileys... Ahhh... pure bliss!

Does bouncing fruit count?

If nothing else, you have accomplished this made me use mulitple 's in one post...

 

[damppanties]

Does bouncing fruit count?

If nothing else, you have accomplished this made me use mulitple 's in one post...

No, no! You do not want it to become smiley addiction!

Gentle and appropriate use of smileys is what we advocate.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

No, no! You do not want it to become smiley addiction!

Gentle and appropriate use of smileys is what we advocate.

Hello? Smileys Anonomous? Yes, we have a case of rampant Smiley abuse...no, it's not pretty. I understand...keep him busy...yes...ten minutes...we will be watching .

Sirens? I thought I heard sirens?

 

[damppanties]

Hello? Smileys Anonomous? Yes, we have a case of rampant Smiley abuse...no, it's not pretty. I understand...keep him busy...yes...ten minutes...we will be watching .

Sirens? I thought I heard sirens?

You're getting it.

Smileys are also people you know. That green grinning fellow is chinese, see?