Exchange of Editorial Services?

[Graymouse]

Okay, so here's the deal. I have this kind-of, sort-of story mostly written. It's finished, I guess, technically, or it will be by the end of this week. I need to give it one more solid proofread. Following that, I'm looking to negotiate an exchange of editorial services, if you will, on a one-story-for-one-story basis. Since I'm hoping for a fairly in-depth, nit-picky, critical analysis, I figure I'd better offer the same in return. I'm not saying I'll be quick--my story is about 10,500 words, I think; if it were someone else's I could probably edit that well in a week or so, but who knows. On the positive side, I'm not in any huge hurry to get mine edited quickly, either. Most of my stories lanquish for years--or eternity--on my hard drive. What's another month or two?

Additionally, I'm not saying my story is good, either. It should be reasonably devoid of major spelling, grammar, plotting errors, etc. but beyond that I make no guarantees. No page-long orgasmic screams or anything, but it may very well still suck. I'd be interested in knowing that before I put it on display for all the world to see.

Incidentally, it's a vampire story but not in the traditional, cliched sense. If I didn't screw it up, it's supposed to be mildly amusing--it's about a totally inept vampire who can't seem to embrace his new destiny.

All right, so that's that. Hopefully someone will take pity on me and take me up on this. I'm willing to edit most anything as long as it's not too exceedingly long and has had a basic spelling and grammar check done already. I'll try to be as thorough as is requested.

Thanks in advance, I guess.

Gray

 

[flawed_ethics]

Well, I can give it the usual. Spelling check. Simple grammatical & punctuation check (personal, not by computer - I figure you can already do that and will over-ride its' nit-picky-ness). A rant on over-usage of the passive voice (if applicable).

For what it's worth, I'll also throw in my personal impressions. Where I felt it was weak, and why. What parts I liked - and why. Where I think it can go if you were to write a sequel. Which characters I liked. Which I didn't. And for both - and explanation.

I must warn you: I'm not an editor. My notes will simply be an opinon.

Regardless, I know how it goes with stories that you've had in the works for years. Good luck!

 

[Pure]

Hi, graymouse,

I looked at your 'userpage' and it says 0 stories posted. Perhaps you could post some links. To put it bluntly, allow others to see the quality of what you've edited, whether it be your own writing or someone else's. That way one might know what's being traded.

 

[Graymouse]

Hey Flawed,

Thanks so much--I would very much appreciate your opinion, in fact. Would you like me to e-mail you when it's done?

Pure,

I understand your point but I'm not sure what I can do. I have edited things over the years at another site and one thing more recently at this site, but to be honest I can't remember what I edited elsewhere and the piece I edited through this message board was not, in fact, posted here. I'm not sure why; it was posted on the author's personal web site with a link posted here but I don't know if she ever made use of my edit or not. She did claim to appreciate it, though.

Of course, none of this makes me sound particularly credible. All I can tell you, I guess, is that I spent some years as an English major with a professional writing emphasis and have done numerous edits. I look at spelling, grammar, punctuation, plot, character development, word choice, story pacing, etc. My edits aren't like "Hey, great story! Really hot! I liked the sex scenes!"

Beyond that, I don't know what else to tell you. I edit my PI's research grants now, so it's not like I'm out of practice. I'm not saying I'm the best editor in the world, but I like to think I'm at least competent. If it helps, I could post a small piece of my story here just to give an idea as to my level of writing (whatever that might be.)

Hope that helps.

Gray

 

[flawed_ethics]

Wow. Sounds like impressive credentials to me. I just write for fun. Like you said though, if you want a joe-schmoe opinion, send a copy my way.

 

[Graymouse]

Ha--I didn't mean to sound impressive, just not illiterate . If I was such a great writer and/or editor, I might actually HAVE that English degree, right? Anyway, a joe-shmoe opinion is great; I don't have aspirations of winning any literary awards or anything. Give me a couple of days to go over it again and I'll send it your way, probably with a few questions about your opinion on characters, the ending, etc.

Again, thanks a lot; I'm one of those nit-picky people who can't stand to post something and later find errors, so this means a great deal to me.

Oh, and incidentally, I love your AV--"Don't go that way. If she'd have kept on goin' that way, she'd have gone straight to that castle . . . "

 

[bridgeburner]

I don't have anything to trade but time

Hi Graymouse,

I don't have anything that's currently ready for any eyes but my own. I do, however, have the time and the interest to take a look at someone else's writings. I've been volunteering my editorial skills here for the past few weeks and so far the responses I've gotten are positive. I've managed to be helpfully honest without driving anyone to tears that I know of.

My strenghths are more in the plot/character/flow areas than in comma usage but it sounds as if you're not likely in much need of mechanical editing, so perhaps I have something to offer. There are a couple of my public critiques on stories here at Literotica --- mostly over in the Story Discussion Circle -- if you want to get a better idea of what my style is.

I can't figure out how to link directly to my posts but I can link you to the proper pages and then direct you to the posts. The story links are available in the threads.


The Gathering Night

Last post is my commentary



Sweet Salvation

Last post is my commentary



Delivery

6th to last post is my commentary


--B

 

[Graymouse]

Excellent; I can't believe I have two willing victims--er, I mean readers. I read your critique of Killermuffin's "Gathering Night" piece and really, that's the sort of thing I'm looking for. I'm interested in aspects of character development, plot, and word choice much more than punctuation (which is not to say there aren't still some punctuation problems, but I'll go back later on my own and fix them so just ignore for now .)

Again, thanks. As I told Flawed Ethics, give me a few days here to finish tidying up and I'll get it out to you. In fact I'm going to start work on it tonight--as soon as I can get over the frustration of having had my car towed. Grr. Anyway, thanks so much to both of you for the generous offers and I'll get busy finishing it at once.

Gray

 

[Reshbod]

flawed_ethics did a great job with my story. He pointed out obvious mistakes and made some good suggestions. Most of the comments were things I should have known, but I just could not see them myself. Anyway, I would be happy to look at your story, not that I would do as good a job as flawed .

I would also like a second opinion on mine if your willing.

 

[flawed_ethics]

flawed_ethics did a great job with my story. He pointed out obvious mistakes and made some good suggestions. Most of the comments were things I should have known, but I just could not see them myself. Anyway, I would be happy to look at your story, not that I would do as good a job as flawed .

Whoa! I had thought from your e-mail that you thought I was over the top in my edit. I'm flattered! I have a reference now!

And Graymouse - No need to rush yourself. I'm in no rush, and I wouldn't think the others on here are either.

 

[bridgeburner]

I've determined that, in future, I will only ever admit to being late for leisure.

Take whatever time you need, Graymouse. When you send me the file be sure to put "Literotica" somewhere in the subject of the email so I don't miss it in the sea of spam I've been getting.

Sorry to hear about your car woes. I can think of few things both more banal and more upsetting than dealing with traffic cops and the DMV.

--B

 

[Reshbod]

Whoa! I had thought from your e-mail that you thought I was over the top in my edit. I'm flattered! I have a reference now!

oops, Sorry you got that impression, you did exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately it doesn't speak well of my writing skill htat you thought that.