Do You Use an Editor?

[BlackShanglan]

I like having people to bounce ideas off of in the early stages. I also like people who can look at a draft and tell me what's working and what's not. Fortunately, I have been blessed with two excellent editors and with wonderful help from the SDC. All of the people with whom I have worked have been quite respectful of where I want to take a story. One of them did make a series of suggestions that lead to me completely changing the focus and nature of a work - but what a great change it was.

Shanglan

 

[English Lady]

I tend to grab someone to edit for me when i enter a competition, but sometimes not. I think my work needs it, my grammar is crap but I get embarassed constantly asking for help and constantly having to be helped with exactly the same thing I'm not quick and although I know the grammar is improving (I don't get as many things correct now as i once did) I still feel like I am imposing on someone to point out mistakes they've pointed out to me before on other pieces.

My husband has started to help me with my editing, he's great from picking up on bits that don't work right but not so good on the technicalities past picking up typos. I tend to just leave it at a hubby edit if it's a short piece as, generally, they don't have as many mistakes in'em anyway

 

[~Horse~]

No, I don't have an editor. I have a friend who on occasion reads some of my work and makes some great comments. However, I don't feel too comfortable having someone cut through and edit my texts. Maybe if I was paid to write or was about to publish I would consider that as useful.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I tend to grab someone to edit for me when i enter a competition, but sometimes not. I think my work needs it, my grammar is crap but I get embarassed constantly asking for help and constantly having to be helped with exactly the same thing I'm not quick and although I know the grammar is improving (I don't get as many things correct now as i once did) I still feel like I am imposing on someone to point out mistakes they've pointed out to me before on other pieces.

My husband has started to help me with my editing, he's great from picking up on bits that don't work right but not so good on the technicalities past picking up typos. I tend to just leave it at a hubby edit if it's a short piece as, generally, they don't have as many mistakes in'em anyway

Well my biggest problem is dyslexia, I am slightly dyslexic, and I will leave words, or letters out. When I proofread my brain will automatically compensate and add the word in as I read. I have found that when I read it outloud I find most of the mistakes, or at least more...

What really frustrates me is I will proofread, and proofread, and then as soon as it is accpeted the errors stand out like a prick at a wedding...LOL!!

Take care, and Happy New Year!

Brian
drksideofthemoon

 

[Black Tulip]

I always use an editor. When I started writing I wanted somebody to check my English, since it's not my first language. In the process I have learned to avoid some annoying spelling and grammar issues, but my editor also asks questions, gives suggestions and makes me look twice at what I am actually trying to say. LOL
All in all I think it has improved my writing.

He uses track changes by the way, so I can always say yes or no to his alterations.

We do not always see eye to eye on certain elements, but that's where a second opinion comes in. Usually from a fellow writer at Lit, if I can snare one.

If I have serious questions about a story, I am very happy to go to the Story Discussion Circle. Having your story dissected there can be a little painful ( ) but it's worth it. The process leaves you with tons of useful suggestions and nit-picky editing.

http://www.addis-welt.de/smilie/smilie/snowman/laugh.gif

 

[hugo_sam]

Always!!
I know my stuff is mostly rambling crap. The wonderful people that have taken on the task of editing for me have been great. Kind, patient and helpfull beyond reason to try to make my junk readable to others. I use several people, both for content of the stories and to not burden one unduly. I have also asked for edits of already posted things in an effort to learn how to do better. They have been as helpful as the presubmit edits, even though the reader never sees the directional changes on that particular work.
Some of my favorite editors are the ones that profess no editing skills but do such a marvelous job of cleaning my stuff up.
Having used an editor, I would never consider submitting a story without at least one edit now, some more than one.
p.s. Always give credit to the editor for their volunteered work, thank them for their help, kindness, and generousity.
IMHO

 

[rgraham666]

Another thread got me thinking, how many writers here use an editor, and why, or why not.

Me: No, I'm selfish, I refuse to relinquish any control of my work to anyone.

It depends on the story.

My short pieces of smut, say under 3,000 words, I don't use an editor. The story is simple enough that I don't sweat it too much. It's also not important to me that I get a short piece of smut just right.

My longer pieces, I have an editor and several proofreaders. Between them, they're very good at spotting things that detract from the story.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

No. I do my own editing.

For my more ambitious stuff, I have a few trusted people I respect who'll read it and give me an opinion, and that can be invaluable, but I'm as likely to reject their advice as not. I have pretty strong feelings about what I write. The auditor has to be someone who I really respect as a writer though. I don't want someone telling me all my sentences are run-on when that;s the very effect I'm trying to achieve.

I've done the same for other people, suggesting structural changes in stories (and I'm a bit miffed to say that two of the stories I edited last year won first prize in their respective contests and no credit was given me. More than a bit miffed, actually. They were big changes and saved what were rather pedestrian stories.) but I can't do close editing because I just take over the story. I'm very picky and a real pain in the ass.

I'm always willing to give advice on a story, though, and I don't want credit. Only if you win it would be nice.

 

[Black Tulip]

p.s. Always give credit to the editor for their volunteered work, thank them for their help, kindness, and generousity.
IMHO

I totally agree.

http://www.addis-welt.de/smilie/smilie/snowman/laugh.gif

 

[Whisky7up]

I'm amazed at the number of people not using an editor. No matter how carefully I re-read and re-read and re-read what I have written, I know what I meant to say and sometimes I 'read' what I meant to say. It's not always what I actually typed.

Given Lit readers are on both sides of the Atlantic, some words and expressions may be misunderstood. As a Brit, it's handy having an editor from the other side to reduce the chances of confusion.

 

[zeb1094]

I use TextPad 4.0.1 it's really handy.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I'm amazed at the number of people not using an editor. No matter how carefully I re-read and re-read and re-read what I have written, I know what I meant to say and sometimes I 'read' what I meant to say. It's not always what I actually typed.

Given Lit readers are on both sides of the Atlantic, some words and expressions may be misunderstood. As a Brit, it's handy having an editor from the other side to reduce the chances of confusion.

My stuff rarely gets posted without a glitch or three or four, but it's the same whether I use an outside editor or not.

We should make a distinction here between editors and proofreaders. You can probably never have too many proofreaders, but an editor--somepne who checks for consistency and clarity and content--that's something else.

 

[Evil Alpaca]

Another thread got me thinking, how many writers here use an editor, and why, or why not.

Me: No, I'm selfish, I refuse to relinquish any control of my work to anyone.

I'm trying to use an editor. It hasn't worked for me in the past, but I've had a number of people comment that (even if they liked the stories) that I have a number of errors that I didn't catch in proof-reading. I'm not likely to make major changes based on other people's opinions (as others have said, it's MY story), but hearing their ideas can give me ideas.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I mainly self-edit, but only when I am out of the drafting stage. Right now I have two novels in the drafting phase and one in the editing phase. The one in the editing phase is complete. It was posted on Lit to great reviews and ratings in its first draft form but when I decided to try selling it, I knew I needed an editor.

A friend put me in contact with a stunningly good editor who's trying to whip my sloppy diction into shape. She's also caught some recurring themes, including one glaring contradiction in the main character's personality that I have to fix; this was something I never would have seen myself. She's helped me immensely and I've never felt like she was taking control, although we have argued good-naturedly over a few issues. Which she was right about.

The only thing I won't let her do that she wanted is change my title.

 

[Munachi]

I have someone who sometimes proofreads my stories, but don't really have an editor. Actually I would like one or even several editors, especially right now that I have quite a few of ideas but some problems of how to really bring them across, I could use a few tips. But somehow I can't really find the right editor it seems. I tried to use the volunteer editor program when I first signed up here but never got an answer from the ones I contacted, so I kind of gave up on that...

 

[carsonshepherd]

I have someone who sometimes proofreads my stories, but don't really have an editor. Actually I would like one or even several editors, especially right now that I have quite a few of ideas but some problems of how to really bring them across, I could use a few tips. But somehow I can't really find the right editor it seems. I tried to use the volunteer editor program when I first signed up here but never got an answer from the ones I contacted, so I kind of gave up on that...

Drop down to the SDC. You'll get some good criticism down there, if you can handle it.

You also might run across someone who will blow you away with their brilliance and generosity.

 

[Liar]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. But I always let someone go through it for spelling and grammar mishaps that I and MSWord might have missed.

 

[damppanties]

I have someone who sometimes proofreads my stories, but don't really have an editor. Actually I would like one or even several editors, especially right now that I have quite a few of ideas but some problems of how to really bring them across, I could use a few tips. But somehow I can't really find the right editor it seems. I tried to use the volunteer editor program when I first signed up here but never got an answer from the ones I contacted, so I kind of gave up on that...

How about trying the Editor's Forum? I found it just today and have no idea if it helps, but it's surely worth a try.

 

[hugo_sam]

Another thought on an editor is ask someone here. Find a writer that you like/respect their work and ASK if they have the time and inclination to edit for you for that story. Like SJ said, a really large 20K word story will probably put off a lot of folks but the smaller sized works should be easier. I had a volunteer editor but now generally use someone from here who 'fits' with the cat/style/ storyline. I have been more than pleased with the results. They can at the very least try to make my crap readable.
IMHO

Hugo

 

[Munachi]

Drop down to the SDC. You'll get some good criticism down there, if you can handle it.

You also might run across someone who will blow you away with their brilliance and generosity.

i am looking at the sdc lately and considering to ask for help there at some point... the only problem, and that goes for the editors forum as well, is that i usually write my stories in german at first, and translate them later on into english. and in the german forum there are just very few people, so it is harder to find an editor there... but i suppose i could at some point start to write them in english first, and then translate into german. or write both versions paralell.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Drop down to the SDC. You'll get some good criticism down there, if you can handle it.

You also might run across someone who will blow you away with their brilliance and generosity.

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.

 

[carsonshepherd]

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.

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

Besides, I met Shanglan there.

 

[SlickTony]

My stuff rarely gets posted without a glitch or three or four, but it's the same whether I use an outside editor or not.

We should make a distinction here between editors and proofreaders. You can probably never have too many proofreaders, but an editor--somepne who checks for consistency and clarity and content--that's something else.

That's why I fine-comb and tweak everything that goes out for at least a week beforehand.

 

[Alex756]

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.

We're nice people

Just SAY how you feel and what you're looking for Sides you learn alot by going over other people's work as well and there are lost of good stories up to do your reviews of in order to be able to post one of your own. Try it, check out whats there, offer your opinions and join us

~Alex

 

[Stella_Omega]

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.

Every story you have up is marked with the little red "H"
I don't think you have much to worry about