Too Helpful

[Cal Y. Pygia]

A few Literotica editors are too "helpful." For example, one rejected an essay I wrote because he or she thought that the paragraphs were too long. That's an authorial, not an editorial, decision. In other cases, so-called editors have neglected to correct occasional typographical errors that were overlooked during the writer's own proofreading, editing, and revision process. Editors should confine themselves to editorial tasks and resist the temptation of being a writer at the author's expense. If they want to write a story, they should write one of their own, not mangle someone else's story. A good editor is as valuable as he or she is rare. The problem is that bad ones abound, especially when their services are voluntary and virtually anyone can sign up to be one.

 

[LadyCibelle]

Too helpful??????

A few Literotica editors are too "helpful." For example, one rejected an essay I wrote because he or she thought that the paragraphs were too long. That's an authorial, not an editorial, decision. In other cases, so-called editors have neglected to correct occasional typographical errors that were overlooked during the writer's own proofreading, editing, and revision process. Editors should confine themselves to editorial tasks and resist the temptation of being a writer at the author's expense. If they want to write a story, they should write one of their own, not mangle someone else's story. A good editor is as valuable as he or she is rare. The problem is that bad ones abound, especially when their services are voluntary and virtually anyone can sign up to be one.

And what's your complaint exactly? The editor told you your paragraphs were too long? Well they probably were according to Lit standarts and he/she simply pointed out something that would have been rejected by Lit reviewers anyway.

As for overlooking typos and grammaticals errors, unless I'm wrong yeah right as if I could , WE editors are still human being and we're still entitled to make mistakes, just like any other person on the planet.

Editors should confine themselves to editorial tasks and resist the temptation of being a writer at the author's expense.

If that comment is really all you think an editor should be you have a long road ahead of you. Can I recommend you read this thread. Can I also suggest you read this essay. I wrote it with writers like you in mind. You might learn something about what an editor or isn't and discover that the one you had was a God's gift and want to thank him/her instead of complaining.

I might sound harsh to you....BUT...I can't and WILL NOT let anyone complain about any editors without a good reason. Bring me proof the editors didn't do a good job and I'll be right there with you on my soap box but everything you've said here speaks volume about your editor and even more about you and what I read doesn't make you someone I'd recommend any editors to work with.

 

[Cal Y. Pygia]

Edit Yourself

I certainly have nothing to learn from someone like you. What a (expletive of one's own choice) you are!

 

[LadyCibelle]

I certainly have nothing to learn from someone like you. What a (expletive of one's own choice) you are!

Thank you I like compliment

 

[cloudy]

A few Literotica editors are too "helpful." For example, one rejected an essay I wrote because he or she thought that the paragraphs were too long. That's an authorial, not an editorial, decision. In other cases, so-called editors have neglected to correct occasional typographical errors that were overlooked during the writer's own proofreading, editing, and revision process. Editors should confine themselves to editorial tasks and resist the temptation of being a writer at the author's expense. If they want to write a story, they should write one of their own, not mangle someone else's story. A good editor is as valuable as he or she is rare. The problem is that bad ones abound, especially when their services are voluntary and virtually anyone can sign up to be one.

Something you apparently don't realize - many of the volunteer editors are also authors who contribute regularly to Literotica....like myself. So, your comment about "if they want to write a story, blah blah blah" is so inaccurate as to be ridiculous.

You have a horrible attitude. Good luck on your quest for an editor, you'll need it.

 

[jtmalone70]

**********

 

[LadyCibelle]

Someone who happens to know what they're talking about?

I have to said it again....YOU are my new hero

 

[Weird Harold]

Editors should confine themselves to editorial tasks and resist the temptation of being a writer at the author's expense. If they want to write a story, they should write one of their own, not mangle someone else's story.

1: Most of the volunteer editors are also authors.

2: you apparently don't want an editor, you want an inhumanly perfect proofreader.

3: Placing paragraphs breaks is a grammar and punctutaion issue, which while open to interpretation on the exact rules IS an editorial function, just as pointing out run-on sentences and sentence fragments is an editorial function.

4: if you didn't save an original copy of your story so that you could completely reject the volunteer editor's advice, you were very foolish.

 

[shannon_est]

I certainly have nothing to learn from someone like you. What a (expletive of one's own choice) you are!

Thank you I like compliment

LadyCibelle, I would just like to know what expletive you inserted there.

Cal... maybe you should check out my thread Can you read this? for a partial explination as to why typos are missed. The other part of the explination is human error, and last time I checked, our VE's are human. (well there's a couple the jury is still out on, but I'm sure they're still mammals at least)

Paragraph spacing is of utmost importance on the internet. Most of us don't take the time to print out stories to read. BIG CHUNKS of words on the screen is very eyestraining. Most of us, as readers, when we run into it will basically say 'fuck it' and move on. Your editor was just trying to help you gain and retain readers. If you don't want people to read your stories, by all means, use one big clump of words... all I have to say is "NEXTTTT!"

And as most everybody has already stated, most of the editors ARE authors, and from what I can tell, they have a grasp on what works and what doesn't.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Perhaps there is a confusion of terms here. IMHO, proofreading digs down in the bowels to unearth (correct) typos, misspellings, punctuation etc,

Copyediting does the above plus capitalization, grammar, word usage tone etc.

Surely, substantive editing should be concerned with analyzing the structure and plot (and sub-plots), helping the author to get better clarity and relevance from his writing and improving the tension.

Cal, there is a difference in writing in HTML and PDF. Paragraph length is dictated by the medium - I can write much longer paras in print or PDF - it's not a question of personal choice.

i thought I didn't need an editor until someone pointed out that, 'Disappearing into her bedroom, she flung herself on the bed,' was probably physically impossible.

We can all learn.

 

[mack_the_knife]

A few Literotica editors are too "helpful." For example, one rejected an essay I wrote because he or she thought that the paragraphs were too long. That's an authorial, not an editorial, decision. In other cases, so-called editors have neglected to correct occasional typographical errors that were overlooked during the writer's own proofreading, editing, and revision process. Editors should confine themselves to editorial tasks and resist the temptation of being a writer at the author's expense. If they want to write a story, they should write one of their own, not mangle someone else's story. A good editor is as valuable as he or she is rare. The problem is that bad ones abound, especially when their services are voluntary and virtually anyone can sign up to be one.

Um...

ed·it Audio pronunciation of "edit" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (dt)
tr.v. ed·it·ed, ed·it·ing, ed·its

1.
1. To prepare (written material) for publication or presentation, as by correcting, revising, or adapting.
2. To prepare an edition of for publication.
3. To modify or adapt so as to make suitable or acceptable.

What part of this were they not doing properly? Sounds to me like you want a proofreader, not an editor. They are different creatures. A proofreader's job is to correct little spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. An editor's job is to correct the whole damn thing. To improve the story.

Editors are value-added components to the writing process, not a self-propelled spell-checker. My PC has a spell-checker (this post not withstanding), if I could write a chunk of software that could truly edit, my wealth would rival Willie Gates in a year or two. Editing calls for judgement, which computers (and many authors) suck at.

If an editor thinks that a rambling, twenty-line paragraph with four different subjects would be better served by tearing it apart into four or five paragraphs, they're probably right from the standpoint of the reader, if nothing else.

If you just want a proofer, then ask for a simple proofreading, be clear about it, up front. But, don't be surprised when some editors turn you down then. As volunteers, they don't HAVE to edit anything. I'm honored that editors have offered to work on my tales, trying their level best to improve them. I don't, however, let my ego get in the way of that process.

Breaking up rambling paragraphs is EXACTLY an editorial job. They are most certainly not doing something at YOUR expense. They are doing something that sacrifices their time for your BENEFIT.

 

[LadyCibelle]

LadyCibelle, I would just like to know what expletive you inserted there.

Shannon, the expletive wasn't important here. You or anyone else can insert the one of their choice, me I chose to insert "BITCH" .....what's important is that he thought me important enough to get mad at me and want to call me names

Furthermore, he really feels threatened by me and others not agreeing with him as he trolled ALL my stories and poems right after I disagreed with him.

 

[cloudy]

Shannon, the expletive wasn't important here. You or anyone else can insert the one of their choice, me I chose to insert "BITCH" .....what's important is that he thought me important enough to get mad at me and want to call me names

Furthermore, he really feels threatened by me and others not agreeing with him as he trolled ALL my stories and poems right after I disagreed with him.

tsk, tsk...jealousy is such an ugly emotion, too. Too bad he chooses to play elementary school games, instead of actually *gasp* writing something, isn't it?

 

[LadyCibelle]

tsk, tsk...jealousy is such an ugly emotion, too. Too bad he chooses to play elementary school games, instead of actually *gasp* writing something, isn't it?

Well you know what they say...simple minds play simple games. When your IQ is 10 below the earthworm that's the only kind of games you can play.

 

[cloudy]

Well you know what they say...simple minds play simple games. When your IQ is 10 below the earthworm that's the only kind of games you can play.

Bless his little heart! I suppose he really can't help it.

(my catty southern-ness is coming out....sorry )

 

[LadyCibelle]

Bless his little heart! I suppose he really can't help it.

(my catty southern-ness is coming out....sorry )

Never be sorry for being who you are...something my momma taught me.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Never be sorry for being who you are...something my momma taught me.

Mine too.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

An editor helps you with a story. It's free help, help you sought and are free to ignore.

Para breaks are most defintely within the editors realm to point out. I do my own para break checks by pasteing a work into notepad, since it gives a similar display to Lit. Long paras are hard on the eyes and will earn you back clicks. It's an editor's position to point this out. How you handle it is, of course, up to you, but an editor would be remiss if they didn't point out formatting and other issues you face posting here at lit.

I haven't personally taken advantage of the volunteer editors program here, although I readily admit my works would be better if I had. And I reccomend them to writers who ask for my help, since my grammar isn't up to par.

When someone helps you, giving of their own time freely, common courtesy would dictate you act accordingly. If an editor dosen't suit you, you are free to look for another, but bitching about the one you had is bad form at the least. At the worst, it's just plain ole fashioned petty.

 

[minsue]

A few Literotica editors are too "helpful." For example, one rejected an essay I wrote because he or she thought that the paragraphs were too long. That's an authorial, not an editorial, decision. In other cases, so-called editors have neglected to correct occasional typographical errors that were overlooked during the writer's own proofreading, editing, and revision process. Editors should confine themselves to editorial tasks and resist the temptation of being a writer at the author's expense. If they want to write a story, they should write one of their own, not mangle someone else's story. A good editor is as valuable as he or she is rare. The problem is that bad ones abound, especially when their services are voluntary and virtually anyone can sign up to be one.

What we have here is a failure to communicate......


I'm guessing that you all are talking about apples and oranges here. Based on your complaints about an essay being rejected and other pieces being posted with typos, you seem to be referring to the site editors. They are not the same people as the volunteer editors on this board.

The volunteer editors are people who selflessly edit for other writers on a volunteer basis. They have no say in what stories are posted and cannot reject or accept a story for the site.

The site editors run this free website and decide which stories fit the guidelines. They do not make any changes to the stories.

As for the paragraphs, it is difficult to read a long paragraph on a computer screen.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

It looks like Cal belly flopped out of this conversation some time back. Most newbies can't handle this kind of heat anyway.

LadyC. is by far one of the greatest volunteer editors this site will ever have the privelage of being graced with. She knows what the fuck she's doing when she sits down with a story and goes to work on it. If she does make some sort of a mistake, or faulters in catching a mistake, I could easily dismiss it due to the fact that she takes on so much work as a volunteer.

No writer in his or her right mind can, by any stretch of common sense, begrudge LadyC. for her efforts, knowledge or attitude.

Pardon me for blowing the horns of praise in her honor, but any wannabe writer who should feel the need to dismiss her as an expletive should have his or her skull inspected for feeble matter.

 

[LadyCibelle]

It looks like Cal belly flopped out of this conversation some time back. Most newbies can't handle this kind of heat anyway.

LadyC. is by far one of the greatest volunteer editors this site will ever have the privelage of being graced with. She knows what the fuck she's doing when she sits down with a story and goes to work on it. If she does make some sort of a mistake, or faulters in catching a mistake, I could easily dismiss it due to the fact that she takes on so much work as a volunteer.

No writer in his or her right mind can, by any stretch of common sense, begrudge LadyC. for her efforts, knowledge or attitude.

Pardon me for blowing the horns of praise in her honor, but any wannabe writer who should feel the need to dismiss her as an expletive should have his or her skull inspected for feeble matter.

Wow Mr Horn!!!

Long time no see and what a way to reconnect uh
Thanks for defending my honour but "weenie dick" here wasn't complaining about me, at least not at first, he was complaining about editors doing their job and him not liking them telling him he was shit.

Then it became personal when he trolled and one-bombed my poems and stories but that's par for the course and it shows how threatened he feels by me that's all.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Wow Mr Horn!!!

Long time no see and what a way to reconnect uh
Thanks for defending my honour but "weenie dick" here wasn't complaining about me, at least not at first, he was complaining about editors doing their job and him not liking them telling him he was shit.

Then it became personal when he trolled and one-bombed my poems and stories but that's par for the course and it shows how threatened he feels by me that's all.

It sounded like a bit of honesty would give a bit of a moral boost. I'm somehow sure that your poems and stories have received a bit of benefit from that also.

I'm never far away, sweetie. I watch you guys in here all the time. I'm ... I'm ... I'm a lurker in the EF.

*pulls cloak over my head and retreats back into the shadows*

 

[LadyCibelle]

It sounded like a bit of honesty would give a bit of a moral boost. I'm somehow sure that your poems and stories have received a bit of benefit from that also.

I'm never far away, sweetie. I watch you guys in here all the time. I'm ... I'm ... I'm a lurker in the EF.

*pulls cloak over my head and retreats back into the shadows*

Ooh lurking is s fun Just don't be a stranger and come say hi once in a while.

Thanks for the morale boost and the vote of confidence....we've come a long way haven't we.

Now, what are you waiting for....go and read my latest story. The link is in my sigline!

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Ooh lurking is s fun Just don't be a stranger and come say hi once in a while.

Thanks for the morale boost and the vote of confidence....we've come a long way haven't we.

Now, what are you waiting for....go and read my latest story. The link is in my sigline!

I'll be on it tomorrow night, luv.*roses thrown from the shadows... *

 

[LadyCibelle]

I'll be on it tomorrow night, luv.*roses thrown from the shadows... *

If you're to throw roses at me, at least do it in plain sight so I can thank and kiss you properly.