MichelleLovesTo
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2005
- Posts
- 291
I'm without internet at home. I've developed the habit of copying threads/topics which interest me and reading them in Word at my convenience. I can set it for colors which are most pleasing to my eye and really get a nice overview on things.
As well as reading several editing threads, I've read several "how-tos" on writing and editing in the stories area. There seems to be a fair amount of animosity from some editors who feel they are being used as spell-check. I do understand that frustration; I’ve certainly seen my share if stories which would have been improved by basic editing in Word or another program. Still, there is almost an anger at writers, as if the majority are looking for serfs. In some cases I got the impression that the writers WERE the serfs – that there proper roll was to bow and scrape at the feet of infallible editors.
I legitimately think some people simply are unable to see that they are poor writers. They’re not aware that, what looks like a simple sentence to them, is fraught with mistakes and is nearly painful to read. These people are frustrating, but they’re not trying to deliberately waste someone’s time. There is actually a disorder where people cannot judge competence, and so they cannot see that they are incompetent. Think American Idol.
There are also people who’ve offered their editorial skills, but unfortunately bungled and mangled the sentence where they offered their assistance. I have to wonder if they, like the writers in the above paragraph, just don’t see where they’re lacking. What do you do with that?
I’ve also seen, what I’m sure are some good editors, make the edit function in Word nearly collapse in nervous exhaustion. (I’m thinking of the chameleon in the Warner Bros. cartoon who, when faced with a plaid background sobs, “I can’t do it! I just can’t do it!”) Now in many cases it has been in the informal setting of the board where mistakes are more excusable – but in a thread where they proclaim their impeccable skills, suggesting an author would be wise to listen to their advice?
And what about the people who write the How-To on writing, but leave in a half-dozen or more of their own errors? The comments are usually filled with mistake laden praise for the author who dared to state writers need to hold to standards of spelling and grammar. The mistakes are human. Who hasn’t read through something and missed a screw-up? But in these situations it seems implausible that extra care would not be taken.
Note I don’t hold myself up as an expert, because I’m notoriously bad with grammar and punctuation. In short, I don’t want to be a hypocrite.
As a writer, I strive to constantly improve. I’ll read an article on something I feel I know pretty well, because pretty well is not good enough. I know that only a fool thinks they don’t need refreshers and reminders. I want an editor who:
1. Understands my writing.
2. Strives to be as good of an editor as I strive to be a writer. (And I’m not sure I don’t need an editor on that last sentence.)
3. Knows that the process is a partnership. The editor sees things the author misses and makes sure their intent is clear. The author evaluates the editors suggestions, accepts most of them, and fights for the few which really matter. Neither is subservient to the other – both are subservient to the story.
I don’t need or want an editor who does not “get” me, thinks I’m an idiot, or who thinks I have to mindlessly accept every suggestion. I certainly don’t want an editor who needs an editor more than I do!
I've worked with my editor for over a year, and I'm constantly amazed how he catches the things I've missed. I easily agree with 90% of his comments. My stories would be weakened without his help. I'm in awe of what he does.
He edited a story which is soon to be published in an anthology, and their editor had very little work to do -- most of it more along the lines of personal preference/fine-tuning.
There are people here who I'd love to work with -- and others who've convinced me if would not be advantageous for either one of us.
As well as reading several editing threads, I've read several "how-tos" on writing and editing in the stories area. There seems to be a fair amount of animosity from some editors who feel they are being used as spell-check. I do understand that frustration; I’ve certainly seen my share if stories which would have been improved by basic editing in Word or another program. Still, there is almost an anger at writers, as if the majority are looking for serfs. In some cases I got the impression that the writers WERE the serfs – that there proper roll was to bow and scrape at the feet of infallible editors.
I legitimately think some people simply are unable to see that they are poor writers. They’re not aware that, what looks like a simple sentence to them, is fraught with mistakes and is nearly painful to read. These people are frustrating, but they’re not trying to deliberately waste someone’s time. There is actually a disorder where people cannot judge competence, and so they cannot see that they are incompetent. Think American Idol.
There are also people who’ve offered their editorial skills, but unfortunately bungled and mangled the sentence where they offered their assistance. I have to wonder if they, like the writers in the above paragraph, just don’t see where they’re lacking. What do you do with that?
I’ve also seen, what I’m sure are some good editors, make the edit function in Word nearly collapse in nervous exhaustion. (I’m thinking of the chameleon in the Warner Bros. cartoon who, when faced with a plaid background sobs, “I can’t do it! I just can’t do it!”) Now in many cases it has been in the informal setting of the board where mistakes are more excusable – but in a thread where they proclaim their impeccable skills, suggesting an author would be wise to listen to their advice?
And what about the people who write the How-To on writing, but leave in a half-dozen or more of their own errors? The comments are usually filled with mistake laden praise for the author who dared to state writers need to hold to standards of spelling and grammar. The mistakes are human. Who hasn’t read through something and missed a screw-up? But in these situations it seems implausible that extra care would not be taken.
Note I don’t hold myself up as an expert, because I’m notoriously bad with grammar and punctuation. In short, I don’t want to be a hypocrite.
As a writer, I strive to constantly improve. I’ll read an article on something I feel I know pretty well, because pretty well is not good enough. I know that only a fool thinks they don’t need refreshers and reminders. I want an editor who:
1. Understands my writing.
2. Strives to be as good of an editor as I strive to be a writer. (And I’m not sure I don’t need an editor on that last sentence.)
3. Knows that the process is a partnership. The editor sees things the author misses and makes sure their intent is clear. The author evaluates the editors suggestions, accepts most of them, and fights for the few which really matter. Neither is subservient to the other – both are subservient to the story.
I don’t need or want an editor who does not “get” me, thinks I’m an idiot, or who thinks I have to mindlessly accept every suggestion. I certainly don’t want an editor who needs an editor more than I do!
I've worked with my editor for over a year, and I'm constantly amazed how he catches the things I've missed. I easily agree with 90% of his comments. My stories would be weakened without his help. I'm in awe of what he does.
He edited a story which is soon to be published in an anthology, and their editor had very little work to do -- most of it more along the lines of personal preference/fine-tuning.
There are people here who I'd love to work with -- and others who've convinced me if would not be advantageous for either one of us.
