Editor waffle

[wildsweetone]

It seems that I'm doing an okay job of being an Editor. I am wondering though, when the hell all the lessons I'm learning are going to transfer into my own writing. lol

Is this just a phase?

And...

Am I ever going to pick up a novel to read and actually enjoy reading it without noticing all the crap that seeps through into the published page?

disclaimer this is not to do with the authors whose work i edit. rather, it's to do with an internal process that i feel may never end.

 

[cherrylips_au]

Habits can be hard to break and it's always easier to see what needs improvement in other peoples work then our own.

Maybe you just need someone to edit your work so you can learn that way. Sometimes we can learn that way then on our own.

Anyway just my thoughts.

Good luck and I hope you know you help lots of people sometimes without even realising it.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Eventually.

No.

No.

 

[OT]

Most cliche's get to be cliche's because they ring true (there really is a good deal of bliss in ignorance). So sadly, me thinks you are ruined for life.

But all is not lost. You can either continue the journey up the food chain and find ever better writers or, with a bit of twisted perspective, learn to derive joy from the crap; Something akin to reading a trashy novel on purpose. Enjoy it for what it is.

 

[gauchecritic]

Most of my best work is in editing suggestions for other people.

If I took as much time on my own work as I seem to do with other peoples I'd never get a story posted.

But then I'm just

Gauche

 

[Guest]

<Whew>

You had me nervous there for a minute kiddo!

I remain,

 

[wildsweetone]

cherrylips_au: You may have a very good point there. I will farm out a couple of my darlings and see what kinds of comments are returned. Thanks for that, and thanks too for your last comments, it's nice to know I'm not a complete waste of bytes.

KillerMuffin: Thank you for your succinct reality check, I needed that. I appreciate you posting.

OT: Darn, and I thought there was still hope! Derive pleasure from the crap? Hmm that sounds like a category I try to avoid

gauchecritic: I understand you dear, I wish to hell I could write a book with some of my editing gems They'd get a great laugh at the very least

Sandyman: Now dear, YOU were nervous? God, there sure as hell aint any hope for me now.

 

[Guest]

just to be contrary

WSO-

How fun to post on one of your threads again! Missed you!

I am going to disagree and say that I can "turn it off". Perhaps this is a result of living in the Deep South (as in the peanut butter) and having to either wince continually or just turn off my sensitivity.

I have to flip the switch and choose to just read for enjoyment. But I can do it.

b

 

[wildsweetone]

Peanut butter! That stuff should be banned (or used in landfill), god it's disgusting.

Hi bridget Nice to see you! I hope your recovery is going well and everyone is still pitching in and helping around you.

I think I've forgotten how to flick that switch.

I was even listening to an audio tape in my car, a novel, and things that were wrong and that didn't make sense were hitting me in the face as I was driving.

Any ideas on how to learn to flip the switch again?

 

[Guest]

Hmmmmmm

Never heard it called "flicking a switch". Though I guess that could be used.

Is that another Synonym for clit? Switch?

Flicking the switch.....yeah, off...on....off....on....off...on.

Ok. I guess that would work.

I remain,

 

[Whispersecret]

I feel for you, WSO. For what it's worth, I go through that too. You can enjoy something without analyzing it, when it's REALLY GREAT. Sometimes I can read a book that is so well-written and that pulls me in so completely that the mechanics disappear and all that I see is the story. It's sort of like special effects in movies. If they're good, you don't notice the wires, so to speak.

Or, actually, what usually happens to me is that I'll be reading something wonderful, and part of me will realize, "Hey, this is damn good." But I won't be able to figure out exactly how they made it that way. For example, I just finished reading Nora Roberts's "Midnight Bayou." I was consciously aware of her pacing and how perfect it was, but am unable to pinpoint exactly how I could do that myself.

But take heart. That analyzing can only help you as a writer. You can't fix your own stuff if you don't see what's wrong.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Yep. Whisper has hit it dead on the nose.

 

[Guest]

perfect pitch

WSO-

I have a friend who plays the violin and has the gift of perfect pitch. It pains him to listen to music that is 'off'. He has told me of training himself to get past it in order to perform with other musicians. While 'enjoy' would be the wrong word for how he experiences less than perfect music, he does appreciate elements and can listen with a smile.

If the parallel holds, then I understand that others may have difficulty getting past their literary 'perfect pitch'.

I would never claim to have that gift.

There is writing I can't/won't muddle through. Sometimes it is the consistently bad grammar. Other times it is the lack of focus or the poor character development.

But then there are stories that aren't stellar, but are worth the read. When I decide to read them, I click to 'skim plus' mode and read. It is not the same as reading a well-crafted story or novel. I am 'aware' that I am reading. I just let go of picking up on the flaws. I had to learn to do this in order to maintain sanity while reading grant applications and technical papers.

And then there is what OT mentioned about just enjoying the absurdity of it.

b

 

[TheEarl]

Nostradamus ate my hamster and other varied excuses:

I sympathise WSO. I don't do that much editing, but when I do it tends to affect what I read. I sometimes go through a book by an author that I admire trying to see how he/she does something I've spent days trying to do.

The best lessons you learn are ones that you don't notice you've learned. My writing has improved a hell of a lot from listening to other people, being critiqued and giving critiques, yet I couldn't actually pinpoint one thing that I've consciously done to improve it.

Your writing almost certainly improves with everything you learn; you just won't notice it, the way that most people don't notice growing.

You're very right in the sense that it will never end. Nobody's perfect and everybody can improve. So have faith that you will.

BTW. Thank you so much for the work you've done on my recent stories.

The Earl

 

[wildsweetone]

Sandyman: Are you saying I should have an orgasm before reading or before editing?

Whispersecret: You've given me logical thoughts - I can't fix my own stuff if I can't see what's wrong - I'll try to keep that thought in mind to help temper the frustration. Thank you for your comments.

Bridget: I envy your musician friend. I don't often let this particular problem out into the public arena, I tend to bite my lip and wade through it myself. I guess it's just the cold virus that's making me more aware at the moment. Thanks for your support.

TheEarl: I enjoy reading your stories dear, thank you for letting me help. What you've said also makes perfect sense to me. I guess we're all on a learning curve and one that lasts our entire lives. Silly of me to think it might end, now I come to think of it.


Just in case there are any illusions, I actually do enjoy the editorial work I do, so don't worry that I intend stopping it any time soon.

 

[Guest]

LOL.....Wildsweetone asked:

"Sandyman: Are you saying I should have an orgasm before reading or before editing?"

Both. Why limit yourself?

I remain,

 

[wildsweetone]

wow, it's all logical today

I'll get right onto it dear...