editing nightmare

[sunny55235]

I've been asked to edit a story, and as much as I've tried I just don't think I can do it. The story needs so much work I don't even know where to begin, and I honestly don't think I'm the person who should be doing it. Is there anyone willing to help with some serious editing, or can suggest someone else?

 

[BlackShanglan]

Sunny -

I know what you mean about being confronted with a story that is so disjointed or difficult that you don't know where to start. If I might suggest ... I think that the most helpful thing you can do (other than calling in more firepower, as you've done, and I think that's wise) is to narrow your critique to the one or two most significant issues in the story.

When the story has a lot of problems, this can be one of the most difficult tasks an editor faces. It can also be one of the most challenging and rewarding, as it calls for a high level of analytical thinking, some careful detachment from the text, and a rather enjoyable puzzle/problem-solving approach. I try to remind myself, from time to time - although you'd hardly know it looking at my reviews - that it's more important to communicate one or two good strong ideas clearly than to try to detail every tiny thing that could be changed. If I try to communicate too many details on what to fix, I find that in many ways it's like giving no information at all; the deluge drowns the poor unfortunate writer, and s/he ends up with no clear idea of what to do or where to start. The story will in the end be stronger if you suggest only a couple of things to fix and they get fixed than if you list everything and the author is too swamped to do any of it.

That said ... I'd be happy to take a look at the story Feel free to PM me, post a link, email the story, etc., but please do check with the author first if the story is not publically posted.

Shanglan

 

[BlackShanglan]

Phew! Talk about having all the cockiness ground out of you. That was a real beast. Nice work, Sunny, in getting as far as you did!

Shanglan

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I've been asked to edit a story, and as much as I've tried I just don't think I can do it. The story needs so much work I don't even know where to begin, and I honestly don't think I'm the person who should be doing it. Is there anyone willing to help with some serious editing, or can suggest someone else?

I think it's important to remember that an editor is not a co-author. If you've got a story that can't be edited with a reasonable amount of effort, send it back to the author and tell them it's not ready.and why.

---dr.M.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Re: Re: editing nightmare

I think it's important to remember that an editor is not a co-author. If you've got a story that can't be edited with a reasonable amount of effort, send it back to the author and tell them it's not ready.and why.

---dr.M.

Oh bugger. Now I read this

Well, I survived it ... and it did have some fun and interesting elements, including, amusingly enough for me, someone who really knew sailing ships (the topic of my last appeal for general help). But damned if I won't remember the Dr.'s words next time.