"New Editor Is Working And Seeks Advice, No Limits!"

M2VIIDS

Experienced
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Apr 22, 2011
Posts
50
It almost seems as if I could've had a choice in whether or not I can set limits. I'm not specialized enough to work like that. I'm new to this whole 'editing online work' thing, although I do have a vast majority of resources, love reading the work of the everyday man, not the commercialized shit(aka Twilight) that people are willing to shove out for. I honestly feel like this could become a new experience. I want to hear from experienced editors, and I'd love to become an apprentice to another editor, although I feel that would be asking for too much. Input alone would be enough. Thank you kindly for giving me your time, and reply in this thread if you've got absolutely anything to say.
 
It almost seems as if I could've had a choice in whether or not I can set limits. I'm not specialized enough to work like that. I'm new to this whole 'editing online work' thing, although I do have a vast majority of resources, love reading the work of the everyday man, not the commercialized shit(aka Twilight) that people are willing to shove out for. I honestly feel like this could become a new experience. I want to hear from experienced editors, and I'd love to become an apprentice to another editor, although I feel that would be asking for too much. Input alone would be enough. Thank you kindly for giving me your time, and reply in this thread if you've got absolutely anything to say.

Be encouraged.....& keep on knocking on doors!
 
Cymru, sorry to be a pest, but when you say "editor", what do you mean? Definitions of "editor" range from proofreader, that is, simply comparing original manuscript with finished product, conforming latter to former, with simple queries; to copy editor (which is what I do)--correcting grammar, syntax, spelling and sentence structure, but not continuity, characterization or plot; to editor, pointing out discontinuities (she was blonde in ch 1, now is redhead in ch 2 with no beauty parlor visit in between); suggesting changes in characterization (he was a wimp two paragraphs ago and now he's macho--why? How?); and plot (why does he leave town and come back to confront X? He should stay, confront X, then leave). Writers don't always tell you what they want, so better to tell them what you do. Saves time and frustration.
 
It almost seems as if I could've had a choice in whether or not I can set limits. I'm not specialized enough to work like that. I'm new to this whole 'editing online work' thing, although I do have a vast majority of resources, love reading the work of the everyday man, not the commercialized shit(aka Twilight) that people are willing to shove out for. I honestly feel like this could become a new experience. I want to hear from experienced editors, and I'd love to become an apprentice to another editor, although I feel that would be asking for too much. Input alone would be enough. Thank you kindly for giving me your time, and reply in this thread if you've got absolutely anything to say.

I would recommend that you identify your strengths, Do misspellings stand out like they do to me, or do you rely on spellcheck? Are you good at seeing wording usage problems -- "their" versus "there", or "then" versus "than"? Can you offer input as to the flow of the story? What about punctuation? Perhaps you can do it all -- I'd like to think that I can, after having edited for about the past 4 years or so, but I'm not perfect, and I'm not saying that I am.

Be kind to the writers in all cases. Be encouraging no matter the condition of the story. You are an editor but you are also a teacher.

Keep the writers involved in the editing process. When they email you a story then acknowledge its receipt, and every other day (or more frequently if you prefer) tell them where they are in position if in a queue as to when you might start the edit, or where you are in the story.

Oh, and this happens too. Writers will start off in first-person and drift off into third-person, things like this. Don't make assumptions, stop the edit and ask the writers what their intentions were. Again, they may be rookies making mistakes.

Never forget that you're not dealing with a story, but a person.

I can tell you that there is nothing more fulfilling than a published writer thanking you for the help they received from you.

Most important, don't guess. If you have a question, post a thread here. An answer usually comes within a few hours.

Okay, so get out there. Edit. And enjoy the experience.

If you have any questions about editing you might prefer to be private, feel free to PM me. I check frequently.
 
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I would recommend that you identify your strengths, Do misspellings stand out like they do to me, or do you rely on spellcheck? Are you good at seeing wording usage problems -- "their" versus "there", or "then" versus "than"? Can you offer input as to the flow of the story? What about punctuation? Perhaps you can do it all -- I'd like to think that I can, after having edited for about the past 4 years or so, but I'm not perfect, and I'm not saying that I am.

Be kind to the writers in all cases. Be encouraging no matter the condition of the story. You are an editor but you are also a teacher.

Keep the writers involved in the editing process. When they email you a story then acknowledge its receipt, and every other day (or more frequently if you prefer) tell them where they are in position if in a queue as to when you might start the edit, or where you are in the story.

Oh, and this happens too. Writers will start off in first-person and drift off into third-person, things like this. Don't make assumptions, stop the edit and ask the writers what their intentions were. Again, they may be rookies making mistakes.

Never forget that you're not dealing with a story, but a person.

I can tell you that there is nothing more fulfilling than a published writer thanking you for the help they received from you.

Most important, don't guess. If you have a question, post a thread here. An answer usually comes within a few hours.

Okay, so get out there. Edit. And enjoy the experience.

If you have any questions about editing you might prefer to be private, feel free to PM me. I check frequently.

I couldn't have said it any better!:rose:
 
Thanks, LadyC. Coming from you that's a <i>real</i> compliment!

Okay, so maybe what works when you're writing a story doesn't work so well here. :rose:

It wasn't a compliment, sweetie; it was a statement of fact that's all!:rose:

With my declining health I've lost a whole lot of my abilities with words and find it very difficult to put two, or more, sentences together and make them have sense with each other.:(
 
It wasn't a compliment, sweetie; it was a statement of fact that's all!:rose:

With my declining health I've lost a whole lot of my abilities with words and find it very difficult to put two, or more, sentences together and make them have sense with each other.:(

Oh, I should've known the great LadyC would never compliment me ;)
 
The other side of the coin

It almost seems as if I could've had a choice in whether or not I can set limits. I'm not specialized enough to work like that. I'm new to this whole 'editing online work' thing, although I do have a vast majority of resources, love reading the work of the everyday man, not the commercialized shit(aka Twilight) that people are willing to shove out for. I honestly feel like this could become a new experience. I want to hear from experienced editors, and I'd love to become an apprentice to another editor, although I feel that would be asking for too much. Input alone would be enough. Thank you kindly for giving me your time, and reply in this thread if you've got absolutely anything to say.

As a first time writer I have to say letting me know what your willing to do, what your strenghts are would save both of us a lot of time.

when I went looking for an editor I read all of their "I do X,Y,z but not A,B,C."
I also made sure to include a description of the work as best as I was able to make sure that this was a project that they were willing to undertake.

I for one count on my editor(s) to tell me when I have gone of on a tangent or misused syntaxt, also my spelling is shamefull, and punctuation ROFL yeah... lets just say I love my editor(s) to death!

However, my case is a bit unique as I work with about 5 editors each having their own scope of expertise. this allowes each of them to concentrate on the parts they are strong in. I have found that with so many sets of eyes on the work that it is becoming something I do wish to publish to that end you have to ask yourself do you want credit for the work you put in?

I have given each of my sweeties the option of printing their name in the work or not. Most of them have said no but a few have said that they would appreciate it.

Best of luck I am sure you will make a wonderful editor :D
Enjoy the ride.
 
Thank you very much for the comments, I'm glad to be getting responses here, and encouraging words are also soup for the soul. Thank you very much.
 
As a first time writer I have to say letting me know what your willing to do, what your strenghts are would save both of us a lot of time.

when I went looking for an editor I read all of their "I do X,Y,z but not A,B,C."
I also made sure to include a description of the work as best as I was able to make sure that this was a project that they were willing to undertake.

I for one count on my editor(s) to tell me when I have gone of on a tangent or misused syntaxt, also my spelling is shamefull, and punctuation ROFL yeah... lets just say I love my editor(s) to death!

However, my case is a bit unique as I work with about 5 editors each having their own scope of expertise. this allowes each of them to concentrate on the parts they are strong in. I have found that with so many sets of eyes on the work that it is becoming something I do wish to publish to that end you have to ask yourself do you want credit for the work you put in?

I have given each of my sweeties the option of printing their name in the work or not. Most of them have said no but a few have said that they would appreciate it.

Best of luck I am sure you will make a wonderful editor :D
Enjoy the ride.

LOL. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
 
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