Editor in motion....

[christabelll]

HI there folks... its me again. I had an great editor who had to bow out with not enough time to devote. Another Editor - who seems nice enough, but seems to only want me to write stuff that I cannot write (I should say will not write), although he seems pleasantly surprised at what I have written. What shocked me about this editor is that the piece I got back actually had more punctuation problems than when I sent it... writing teacher? Maybe for 8th graders.... Seems like a nice enough fellow, but I need an editor not some one who is looking for jack off fodder by requesting specific scenarios to be written in order to edit for me. Ugh....



–About Me and my writing -

Writer of Paranormal/Fantasy/Romance and poetry with a strong erotic bent. I have 6 stories and 3 poems currently published (2008) at Literotica.com, an erotic story site. I have accumulated nearly 75,000 hits for my stories in less than 10 months. Three are in the Sci-fi/ Fantasy Category, which have received an unprecedented number of hits in a lesser - read category, accounting for nearly 20,000 of the accumulated votes in this site’s Category. Two of my stories have been listed in “Literotica’s Top 500.” I have three novels in progress and am hoping to contract this year with a brick and mortar publishing firm.

Mature, Voluptuous, I am a writer, artist, reenactment enthusiast, a “Renny” (Renaissance Faire regular). I design and make my own period garb. I was a historical skills teacher and performer for many years in California via The Living History Center. I am a history enthusiast with a special kinship with Medieval, Renaissance and Restoration Periods. And yes, the ancient world fascinates me too. I find them all incredible fodder for the imagination and have been known to wax profound for hours on the subject. That is, until I see the glazed looks on my friends’ faces and apologize profusely for such passionate oratorical exposition.

I have a terrible inner dialogue that argues vehemently or agrees adamantly with my many readers’ words offered in regard to my writing efforts. I LOVE to write. I am truly a stream of consciousness writer and am often unaware of what has fallen onto the pages until the creek has run dry. I have actually been shocked at what has materialized as the written word at times. My poetry is very much written in imagistic profundities that have word choices that could twist the meaning in several ways… In my prose, I aspire to that as well. I want the many possibilities to be conveyed in the word paintings I strive to create.

After much wandering, I now live in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA.


What I am looking for -

I am looking for a collaborative editor - One that can catch the grammar and punctuation issues that I miss. One that can offer suggestions on how to maybe write something another way. Can point out where things dont make sense, gaps or missing information, continuity, strength of characters, emotional investments, etc. I do not want to be bullied or bullshitted. If Sci-Fantasy-Romance-paranormal stuff is not your thing, please Do NOT reply. If poetic, florid, prosey stories fuck with your head, do not fuck with mine by bombasting me over why my style stucks and yours is better.


Now my stories are linked in my signature. Take a gander. If you think you can handle it drop me a PM...


a ps: My average word count is 10k per installment. Sometimes I send it as I am writing it... Other times I will send you a story complete - usually about 40k in word count. I am striving for 150k or more. It will be a good mix of shorts and longish short stories and if you are willing editing novel/ellas in the near future.

 

[Lalah]

HI there folks... its me again. I had an great editor who had to bow out with not enough time to devote. Another Editor - who seems nice enough, but seems to only want me to write stuff that I cannot write (I should say will not write), although he seems pleasantly surprised at what I have written. What shocked me about this editor is that the piece I got back actually had more punctuation problems than when I sent it... writing teacher? Maybe for 8th graders.... Seems like a nice enough fellow, but I need an editor not some one who is looking for jack off fodder by requesting specific scenarios to be written in order to edit for me. Ugh....



–About Me and my writing -

Writer of Paranormal/Fantasy/Romance and poetry with a strong erotic bent. I have 6 stories and 3 poems currently published (2008) at Literotica.com, an erotic story site. I have accumulated nearly 75,000 hits for my stories in less than 10 months. Three are in the Sci-fi/ Fantasy Category, which have received an unprecedented number of hits in a lesser - read category, accounting for nearly 20,000 of the accumulated votes in this site’s Category. Two of my stories have been listed in “Literotica’s Top 500.” I have three novels in progress and am hoping to contract this year with a brick and mortar publishing firm.

Mature, Voluptuous, I am a writer, artist, reenactment enthusiast, a “Renny” (Renaissance Faire regular). I design and make my own period garb. I was a historical skills teacher and performer for many years in California via The Living History Center. I am a history enthusiast with a special kinship with Medieval, Renaissance and Restoration Periods. And yes, the ancient world fascinates me too. I find them all incredible fodder for the imagination and have been known to wax profound for hours on the subject. That is, until I see the glazed looks on my friends’ faces and apologize profusely for such passionate oratorical exposition.

I have a terrible inner dialogue that argues vehemently or agrees adamantly with my many readers’ words offered in regard to my writing efforts. I LOVE to write. I am truly a stream of consciousness writer and am often unaware of what has fallen onto the pages until the creek has run dry. I have actually been shocked at what has materialized as the written word at times. My poetry is very much written in imagistic profundities that have word choices that could twist the meaning in several ways… In my prose, I aspire to that as well. I want the many possibilities to be conveyed in the word paintings I strive to create.

After much wandering, I now live in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA.


What I am looking for -

I am looking for a collaborative editor - One that can catch the grammar and punctuation issues that I miss. One that can offer suggestions on how to maybe write something another way. Can point out where things dont make sense, gaps or missing information, continuity, strength of characters, emotional investments, etc. I do not want to be bullied or bullshitted. If Sci-Fantasy-Romance-paranormal stuff is not your thing, please Do NOT reply. If poetic, florid, prosey stories fuck with your head, do not fuck with mine by bombasting me over why my style stucks and yours is better.


Now my stories are linked in my signature. Take a gander. If you think you can handle it drop me a PM...


a ps: My average word count is 10k per installment. Sometimes I send it as I am writing it... Other times I will send you a story complete - usually about 40k in word count. I am striving for 150k or more. It will be a good mix of shorts and longish short stories and if you are willing editing novel/ellas in the near future.

I don't think this is the good way to go about finding a new editor. Bad mouthing your previous one and then going on about how awesome you are is not a good way to make a first impression.

These people are giving their time for free, it' s a favor they're doing to you, not the opposite. It sounds to me like you're asking for a real, professional editor.

Also, you don't "contract" with a brick and mortar publishing firm, you submit your work and hope they take interest. You make it sounds like you're the one making the decision.

 

[christabelll]

Okay -
I wasnt bad mouthing any one - stating impressions and how I felt about the requests to write specific scenario's, yes that made me uncomfortable and states WHY I am looking for another editor.

How Awesome I am? Oh PLEASE! Except for my breasts maybe??? I'm just yer average person hoping to take her writing somewhere besides free boards.

I was asked to write a bio - I used facts that can be proven and threw in a little about myself.. If you took offense? thats yours not mine. If its so god awful in the self agrandizement department (isnt that the point?) then show me an aspiring authors bio that I can use as a framework for a new draft. personally I HATE writing BIO's.

So I have pipe dreams, to whit - a contract with a brick and mortar publishing house - its a duh thing that I have to submit the fucker first!

And A working partnership with an editor that could turn into much more down the road? Thats wrong of me to desire? I would love to have a simpatico editor who can walk along side me as I try to break us BOTH into the cash markets.

Down the road, if print publishing becomes a reality, I really wont have much say in the matter will I? The pub house will assign me an editor and thats that.
(At least thats what I've read at all the pub houses I've looked at. You dont really get a choice you just gotta try and work it out.) So if in the beginning I want someone I can really work with - bounce idea's off of, capture the fleeting moment of muse work, then you bet...

I have many colors in my box - which one do you prefer I write with? The false modesty, groveling, groping, pleading colors? Or the decent self confidence, this is what I am looking for, are ya game colors?

Just trying to keep it real even through all the smoke screens.

 

[Lalah]

Try the color of humility, it's a good one that's not jaring to most people.

Unprecedented hits, 75k views, Top 500, words choices that twists the meaning in several ways, word paintings etc. Have you been taking bio advices from scouries by any chance?

What's the "Mature, Voluptuous" part has to do with your writing? If anything come out as too much it's certainly it.

Don't embellish things so much when describing yourself, and you'll realize most people will find you more manageable.

 

[christabelll]

Who the fuck is Scouries????? gods - you obviously dont want to be an editor for me so leave it alone will you?

You have taken offense where none has been intentionallygiven. But you know what they say the path to hell................... and - live and burn -
Oh wait I did that already - twice! Hmmm maybe the surgeons missed something when they were slicing layers of skin off my ass for several skin grafts...

I dont do grovel. Did that with the ex and all it got me was a punch in the face. hence him being the ex. And false humility is like being a freaking pew warmer. I don't do either. I am too freaking old to get down on my knees and beg as being to lowly for any one to even consider working with me.

perhaps if you offered something besides insults and objections laden with venom - maybe offering (oh perish the thought) something CONSTRUCTIVE then I would be willing to listen. As it stands- nah. Just you seem to be someone being pissy and dare I say it? Oh if I say it just means I am akin to this scouries person right? Never mind... not worth it.

 

[sr71plt]

Who the fuck is Scouries????? gods - you obviously dont want to be an editor for me so leave it alone will you?

You have taken offense where none has been intentionallygiven. But you know what they say the path to hell................... and - live and burn -
Oh wait I did that already - twice! Hmmm maybe the surgeons missed something when they were slicing layers of skin off my ass for several skin grafts...

I dont do grovel. Did that with the ex and all it got me was a punch in the face. hence him being the ex. And false humility is like being a freaking pew warmer. I don't do either. I am too freaking old to get down on my knees and beg as being to lowly for any one to even consider working with me.

perhaps if you offered something besides insults and objections laden with venom - maybe offering (oh perish the thought) something CONSTRUCTIVE then I would be willing to listen. As it stands- nah. Just you seem to be someone being pissy and dare I say it? Oh if I say it just means I am akin to this scouries person right? Never mind... not worth it.

Well, you did state in your initial posting that you had an editor who returned the edit with more punctuation errors than were in it to begin with. Although I believe this could be true, as Lalah noted, it's not a very good way to advertise for another editor here. That's essentially all Lalah was trying to convey to you, I think.

 

[christabelll]

Well, you did state in your initial posting that you had an editor who returned the edit with more punctuation errors than were in it to begin with. Although I believe this could be true, as Lalah noted, it's not a very good way to advertise for another editor here. That's essentially all Lalah was trying to convey to you, I think.

SR I understood that - I didnt name names just impressions and how it made me feel and why - the rest just felt like a personal attack - slamming me and my efforts - without anything other than a stupid freaking BIO that was Requested to include my "approximated" stats and what floats my boat besides writing - to go by. And its true... red lines like crackle glaze in the document where there were none when I sent it. Oh well. Sucks finding the right partner sometimes dont it?

 

[sr71plt]

SR I understood that - I didnt name names just impressions and how it made me feel and why - the rest just felt like a personal attack - slamming me and my efforts - without anything other than a stupid freaking BIO that was Requested to include my "approximated" stats and what floats my boat besides writing - to go by. And its true... red lines like crackle glaze in the document where there were none when I sent it. Oh well. Sucks finding the right partner sometimes dont it?

If the editor you criticized directly is a VE editor here, that editor knows you were talking about him, and other VE editors will know you were talking about him, and your chances of . . .

It boggles my mind that clients and editors alike on this thread talk in specifics enough on a public board for all of those involved--or close to the ones involved--know exactly who is being raked over the coals. I suspect even I know who you were talking about here, and Lord knows, I'm not in with the VE bunch.

If the one you criticized was not an "editor" posting to this site, it would have been a very good idea for you to note that in your initial posting.

 

[LadyCibelle]

I seldom agree with hewhoIwontname above me, but this time I have to. Knowing your worth is good, not being self-deprecating when it isn't necessary is even better, but even to me, your 'ad' seemed like a slap in the face of the editor you didn't name, and an over-agrandisizing of your own ability.

Just my 0.02.

 

[christabelll]

Now that I have had my pain meds....

Fuck.

Well... I did write a long letter to said person. I'm an idiot sometimes but I own it

Now that said... I apologize... for being an idiot. I wont do that particular
"tres gros faux paus" again.

But onwards and upwards...even if it means going sideways and backwards, usually accompnaied by bruises, sneezes, curses and laughter.

I truly did was sincerely trying not be a putz let alone be compared to some yayahoohoo that everyone seems to hate. Seen it dont participate and havent at any rate. Bitch and other things I might be but not spiteful or hateful by any means.

Later -


goof juice works real good

 

[LadyCibelle]

What you did just now tells me that you are a good person who made a mistake....and you owned up to it.

That shows intestinal fortitude and greatness of character; two traits that I greatly admire.

Now that i've sucked up enough....can I have some of your goof juice, mine isn't doing me any good at the moment.

 

[christabelll]

I seldom agree with hewhoIwontname above me, but this time I have to. Knowing your worth is good, not being self-deprecating when it isn't necessary is even better, but even to me, your 'ad' seemed like a slap in the face of the editor you didn't name, and an over-agrandisizing of your own ability.

Just my 0.02.

Well good grief - wonders never cease ((((Lady)))) I am sorry i have put you in that predicament

And once again I apologize - truly and sincerely and with humility and embarrassment rife within my heart.

This is twice now I have asked this - HOW DO I WRITE A BETTER ONE? I hate it that I dont do it well never have (who knew with 25 years of theater?) But I dont know what to say or write that makes me seem less obnoxious and still conveys my hard won efforts, my excited eagerness and future plans.

I dont want to sound pompous, concieted or anything like that. I'm really not as confident as that seems. For goodness sake -


This is all pretty fricking new to me. Even with a year here I still dont know a 1/4 of what I should about this business of writing.

 

[christabelll]

Sure Lady - morphine? straight up or with rocks?

 

[LadyCibelle]

Sure Lady - morphine? straight up or with rocks?

Oh please, yes. I'll be eternally grateful to you. This damn fibro is a bitch and pain in the ass.

 

[christabelll]

Egads! ((((Gingerly Gives you a Hug)))
me its daily migraines that nothing touches... but the morphine makes it possible to semi function past it. Going on oh 3 months straight...

Nothing compared to Fibro I know. Man oh Man--- Heres another hug just because (((((((((((((((((((Lady)))))))))))))))))))))

 

[LadyCibelle]

Well good grief - wonders never cease ((((Lady)))) I am sorry i have put you in that predicament

And once again I apologize - truly and sincerely and with humility and embarrassment rife within my heart.

This is twice now I have asked this - HOW DO I WRITE A BETTER ONE? I hate it that I dont do it well never have (who knew with 25 years of theater?) But I dont know what to say or write that makes me seem less obnoxious and still conveys my hard won efforts, my excited eagerness and future plans.

I dont want to sound pompous, concieted or anything like that. I'm really not as confident as that seems. For goodness sake -


This is all pretty fricking new to me. Even with a year here I still dont know a 1/4 of what I should about this business of writing.

Stop apologizing, babe. Once is enough. I know all about the pride of hard-work effort being rewarded and I wouldn't want you to deny yourself the pleasure of shouting it on the rooftop. You deserve the recognition and acknowledgement.

Now, I'm NOT an ad writing person, even my VE Profile was mostly written by my husband, but what I can recommend is maybe if you toned it down a notch or two.

Don't lower your expectations for anything in the world, you're entitled to those, just tone down your ad a bit, and let the VE, who'll respond to your request, know what exactly you want and DON'T want. I think it might be more effective that way.

You also have to keep in mind, that most people are afraid or feel threatened by a woman who knows her own worth.

 

[christabelll]

HI there folks... its me again. I had an great editor who had to bow out with not enough time to devote. Another Editor - was recommended but we really have some fundamental differences of direction.



–About Me and my writing -


I am a writer, artist, reenactment enthusiast, a “Renny” (Renaissance Faire regular). I design and make my own period garb. I was a historical skills teacher and performer for many years in California via The Living History Center. I am a history enthusiast with a special kinship with Medieval, Renaissance and Restoration Periods. And yes, the ancient world fascinates me too. I find them all incredible fodder for the imagination and have been known to wax profound for hours on the subject. That is, until I see the glazed looks on my friends’ faces and apologize profusely for such passionate oratorical exposition. Give me enough mead and I will attempt to charm dryads from trees and mermaids from the sea...Drives my friends bats but they love me anyway.

I have a terrible inner dialogue that argues vehemently or agrees adamantly with many readers’ words offered in regard to my writing efforts. I LOVE to write. I am truly a stream of consciousness writer and am often unaware of what has fallen onto the pages until the creek has run dry. I have actually been shocked at what has materialized as the written word at times. My poetry is very much written in imagistic profundities that have word choices that could twist the meaning in several ways…at least that is what I am trying to do! In my prose, I aspire to that as well. I want the many possibilities to be conveyed in the word paintings I strive to create. Jaquelyn Frank, Tad Williams, Sean Russell and CJ Cheryhh are my heros when it comes to word smithing. I so - want to write - like that!

My writing tends to encompass the sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal/romance erotica categories. I am doing remarkably well at Literotica.com based on the feedback, hits and votes I am receiving for the nine entries I bravely fronted to their members. Luckily it has bolstered my confidence in such sufficiencies that I am going to try for a brick and mortar publishing firm this year. I sincerely enjoy the give and take between fellow writers, editors and fans. Even the nay sayers have something to add.


What I am looking for -

I am looking for a collaborative editor - One that can catch the grammar and punctuation issues that I miss. One that can offer suggestions on how to maybe write something another way. Can point out where things dont make sense, gaps or missing information, continuity, strength of characters, emotional investments, etc. This will vary piece to piece as not all will need such sloggings through and others will need fine toothed combs.

As the author - Its my responsibility to listen and incorporate and weed and ignore as neccessary to stay to true to whats being created... But I can and have and will again taken two or three sentences that have been offered in suggest mode or question mode and run with it... almost like being in a huge room with lights in every corner but you got to go to each one and turn it on just to see if what your looking for is 'right' there.

However that said, I do not want to be bullied or bullshitted. If Sci-Fantasy-Romance-paranormal stuff is not your thing, please Do NOT reply. If poetic, florid, prosey stories fuck with your head, do not fuck with mine by bombasting me over why my style sucks and yours is better.

my stories are linked in my signature. Take a gander. If you like my word streams, and think we can work together on future writings, drop me a note in PM.

a ps: My average word count is 10k per installment. Sometimes I send it as I am writing it... Other times I will send you a story complete - usually about 40k in word count. I am striving for 150k or more. It will be a good mix of shorts and longish short stories and if you are willing editing novel/ellas in the near future.

Edited for obvious reasons

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I am so very, very sorry if I've caused pain...

Forget it

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Christa Belle Is a Talented Writer

I have been editing for CB for a while for stories of moderate length to be posted on Lit. She's a very good writer, very imaginary and creative. But when she approached me with a 15k version with intentions of writing a novel I begged off. I love wriitng too much to put it aside for too long (and she was very understanding of that). I'll spend an hour or two editing to help someone get posted on Lit, but I've already (previously) drawn the line there.

CB is a good person, and nothing I've read here changes that (I'm so sorry, huggss!). Lit is about loving support and forgiveness. I continue to use my short list of contacts to help her find a suitable editor.

Lalah, many thanks for coming to my defense, even though you had no idea it was me.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Curious...

If the editor you criticized directly is a VE editor here, that editor knows you were talking about him, and other VE editors will know you were talking about him, and your chances of . . .

It boggles my mind that clients and editors alike on this thread talk in specifics enough on a public board for all of those involved--or close to the ones involved--know exactly who is being raked over the coals. I suspect even I know who you were talking about here, and Lord knows, I'm not in with the VE bunch.

If the one you criticized was not an "editor" posting to this site, it would have been a very good idea for you to note that in your initial posting.

Just curious, did you suspect it was me?

I'm not ashamed of the help I provide nor am I ashamed of my decision to limit what I do. I do feel guilty about having to let go of a writer who I have edited for who has outgrown this website and has loftier goals than Lit, but as a mentor that's what I want to see happen, as it's the ultimate compliment.

We're a grounded bunch, SR71. By the way, I appreciated your input to an earlier thread, which helped.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Allow Me To Clarify

I'm the "great editor"...

 

[smidgeon]

I'm the "great editor"...

I heard that somewhere.... Actually, I think you were the one who told me.

 

[christabelll]

So the end result is that Seeker stepped out - and didnt have to.
I have three editor possibilities and we are mutually auditing eachother at the moment.
I learned that once again best of intentions still pave a path
I made new friends
And - LOL - I started writing the sequel to one of my stories.
All that in three days.
Cool

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Best of Luck

When I missed a third-grade English question on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader" I realized my skills were limited (no, I wasn't actually a contestant, just watching). In the words of Clint Eastwood; "A man has to know his limitations."

So this old anchor has been cut free and CB is floating to the top.

Hope the other editor I tipped you off about can help, or that you'll find your own.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Don't Be Spiteful...Please

So the end result is that Seeker stepped out - and didnt have to.
I have three editor possibilities and we are mutually auditing eachother at the moment.
I learned that once again best of intentions still pave a path
I made new friends
And - LOL - I started writing the sequel to one of my stories.
All that in three days.
Cool

You're ignoring my apologetic emails for hooking you up with an incompatible editor; fine. And I have provided you leads to others that may help (not sure what's happening there). And I sincerely hope you find one because you have amazing talent that is beyond my scope.

And if this is how you want to end this editorial relationship, so be it. Never mind the time I've taken away from my life to make your story better so you could achieve these lofty heights.

I still wish you the best <huggs>. You have a true talent.