I need an Editor...

[Isobael]

Hello. My name is Isobael.

I have a few stories already posted on Lit and am reposting my first story to Lit that I did some editing on myself, but I'm looking for an Editor that can help me.

What I need is someone who has actual editing experience and not someone who just "loves to read and is good at editing spelling and grammar". I need help with the concept of showing versus telling as I seem to need to expand on this in my stories.

I need someone who is knowledgeable in the New York style of editing. Don't ask me what that means, it's what I was told when I submitted a story for publication.

I don't need someone to hold my hand or gently guide me as I am serious in taking my writing to a more serious/professional level.

I write in the categories of:

NonHuman (Vampires, Were-creatures, Fae)
Fantasy
Romance

I guess it's a combination of urban romance/urban paranormal and paranormal/supernatural romance.

My stories aren't "stroke" stories, and if you're looking for sex ladened chapters, then you'll be disappointed. I write romance novels, not porn.

If you think you can help, email me at xxxxxl@gmail.com

You can also read what I've submitted to Lit. I am resubmitting "Untamed", which I did do some editing on but it's this story that I want to have edited more in depth, for publication.

 

[sbaggyblurb]

The New York Times Style

Hi Isobael,

I read your work with interest, and think I may be able to help you with the "showing instead of telling" part.

By the "New York editing style", perhaps you mean "The New York Times Style".

Basically, it's just another way of removing ambiguity and also makes less work for the proof readers and editors, who can expect submitted work to adhere to this style. It's similar to the APA style.

If you're serious about it, then you should get

http://www.amazon.com/York-Times-Manual-Style-Usage/dp/0812963881

Personally, I prefer the Guardian & Observer style.

But in my opinion, these guides assume that the reading public are aware of them, whereas in many cases, they are not.

In creative writing, I say sod it and write in a way that you would tell a story verbally... and if no one can understand you, then stop... and engage your brain... before your continuing.

Best wishes,
Sbaggy.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

... If you think you can help, email me at xxxxxxx@gmail.com ...

Sorry, but that was a really bad idea. Putting your email on view is an open invitation to a pile of spam mail. I would strongly advise that if you still can, you edit it out now.

...
By the "New York editing style", perhaps you mean "The New York Times Style".
...
Personally, I prefer the Guardian & Observer style.
...

The real problem with all of these guides, including the very popular Chicago Manual of Style, is that they are guides for journalists writing for the newspaper concerned. Literature (which I hope we are considering here) has a much more florid style - few numerals (most numbers in words), no abbreviations ("etc" becomes "and so forth", St. is always Street), and yet in direct speech words like "gonna" are acceptable where appropriate. The physical attributes of characters are implied rather than catalogued. Compare: “In came Mrs. Fezziwig. She was 5’ 11”, 280lbs, 48DD-44-48. She was smiling.” with Charles Dickens’ original: “In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile.” I don’t expect everyone on Literotica to write like Dickens, but I do wish they would stop writing like police pathologists.

 

[lokeman]

I just want to add what snooper said. If Isobal is looking for the editor she describes it would be better for her to hire a Professional editor who charges a buck a page.
Us editors at Literorica, (inclulding me) are editors who help writers with spelling, grammar and syntax. Remember, the readers at Literotica aren't looking for F Scott Fitzgerald or Ernest Hemmingway prose. And yet, the reader wants a story that flows easily so they can read it with trying to deciper bad spelling, and yes, even grammar and syntax.
If Isobal is having trouble with "show dont tell" she should get a book on it. One of the best books I have ever bought was "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Renni Browne and Dave King. I have written three books and this book is many a writer's bible, including me.