On a scale of zelig to Odysseus ...

[anon606]

how pathetic would it be to use an editor for an ego stroke while writing a story?

 

[sr71plt]

Pretty pathetic since editors don't have anything to edit until after the story is written. You can use a coauthor that way, though, if you can find one gullible enough to do it.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Lots of amateur writers try to collect people who are willing to read as the work goes along. "writer's circles" writing groups, fill this funtion. On the internet a common term for such folk is "beta readers." and that's what someone should be asking for at this stage.

It's not exactly pathetic, storytelling has always been about communication, as much as invention-- some people have the ability to put off the communication part until the creative is finished, but they are not the only storytellers out there.

 

[Brunne]

Lots of amateur writers try to collect people who are willing to read as the work goes along. "writer's circles" writing groups, fill this funtion. On the internet a common term for such folk is "beta readers." and that's what someone should be asking for at this stage.

Agree with the above...

Developing relationships with other authors and doing regular 'swaps' is kind of fun - you get good feedback and you also get sneak previews of their latest writing - win/win!

But you do have to do this with someone you trust and respect - partly for the quality of the feedback, and also because you're sending them your work.