Let's Talk About Editing

[AsylumSeeker]

Hi all. I have no problem with giving respect where it is due. I applaud people who improved their lot in life through education. And never will. There are some people here who are true, trained editors. I'm admittedly not. But then there are only so many trained editors.

But I do have some insight. I'm pretty good. And others have reinforced this opinion.

Just saying is all.

Okay, SR, this is where you laugh.

 

[estragon]

Asylum, the devil is in the usual place. "Editing" covers a lot of ground. I can think of about four major categories (and I'm sure others can provide more): plot, characterization, continuity and copy. I myself do strictly the mechanicals--spelling, grammar, syntax, sentence structure (although I have been known to exceed my remit).

But others work on character and motivation, or work on plot. I suppose here on Lit there might even be kinesiology or bio-mechanical editors, who work on positions, natural vs. synthetic lubes and who knows what else.

I can't imagine a professional editor would spend much time here, working for nothing, if s/he could get paying work.

 

[sr71plt]

There are three types of editing: copy, substantive, and developmental.

 

[palisa]

I think substantive is just another name for developmental...you edit the mechanics or you edit the plot, story line, character development, argumentation, organization or whatever else isn't grammar, punctuation and correct word use.

 

[sr71plt]

I think substantive is just another name for developmental...you edit the mechanics or you edit the plot, story line, character development, argumentation, organization or whatever else isn't grammar, punctuation and correct word use.

No. Substantive encompasses the three passes estragon cites, plot, characterization, and continuity--along with clarity and more comprehensive fact checking than copyediting. Developmental editing is much more involved than that--a step below coauthoring and ghost writing, where the editor does massive work with structure and plot construction. (See the Chicago Manual of Style, 2.45-2.47 and Scott Norton's Developmental Editing: A Handbook for Freelancers)

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

... I can think of about four major categories ... plot, characterization, continuity and copy. ...

A separate aspect is to read the story straight through the first time making a (mental) note of questions that pop up as you do so. Any which are not answered by the end of the story can help an author to improve the readability of the story. An example would be "If he has a finger in her arse and is tweaking one nipple, which hand is he using to stroke her hair at the same time?" or "If they were chatting on a park bench, where did the bed on to which he just threw her come from?"

And yes, they are both comments I have made on actual stories I have looked at for authors.