Help needed from other Editors ASAP

[adetaildiva]

I'm in the midst of editing a lengthy story & could use some guidance from those with more experience than I. The story appears to be a "non-consensual/reluctance" story involving a group.

My question: how much character development is needed for this type of story .......... or for any story?

Which leads to the next question: what's the best way to guide the author to the best results?

I'd appreciate feedback as soon as possible. Thanks!!!

 

[lordporksword]

It might be helpful if you turned your IM's on.

 

[adetaildiva]

It might be helpful if you turned your IM's on.

Okey dokey. Yahoo IM addy is posted in the profile & turned on at my desk.

*fingers drumming, waiting for helpful replies*

 

[snooper]

... The story appears to be a "non-consensual/reluctance" story involving a group. ...

Isn't that clear? If not, then you have real problems.

... My question: how much character development is needed for this type of story .......... or for any story? ...

It doesn't depend on the genre, but on the intent. If a story is about several people who are (roughly) equally important to the reader's enjoyment then they need to have about the same character development. Other characters can be what I call 'cardboard cutouts' like the barman who serves the main protagonists (thus telling the reader that they are boozing) but is of no other relevance to the story. Given that the main characters are all developed to the same level, that level can be very detailed or quite slender. A single incident may have almost no character development, but detailed biological descriptions - then it's a stroke story. A gang rape story done from the victim's POV in the first person may have a lot of character detail about the victim, but the rapists can be relatively anonymous.

... Which leads to the next question: what's the best way to guide the author to the best results? ...

I insert comments into the story giving the questions that arise in my mind the first time I read through. I don't try to answer or correct them. An example might be When did you tell the reader she already had kids? or I hadn't realised he was black. That sort of thing guides the author to what is missing - there is no guarantee that it will produce "best" results.

I'd appreciate feedback as soon as possible.

Six hours is the fastest I can do!

 

[adetaildiva]

Thanks for the insight, Snooper! This tells me what I needed to know & what I need to do now. *gawd, he'p me!*