Volunteer editors

[Lying Eyes]

Seems I need a volunteer editor for my latest piece since the kind lady that I usually deal with is ocupied at the moment.

I know the question of how to find a volunteer editor should be a simple one to answer. Pick one from the many listed...

But in the past I had poor experience randomly picking editors, some not responding back to my plea for help or taking ages to reply to my request. Worse is those that agree but go MIA after I send them my piece in need of editing

I would be very grateful if someone could recommend someone or volunteer themselves. Preferably someone willing to work through PM rather then send me attachments through mail since I have technical problems downloading them.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

You and all the rest of us, lol. I lost my editor recently and have had a hell of a time finding someone trustworthy and dependable to replace her (no luck so far.) I have contacted numerous poeple through the VE program, but I either get no response, or they say they can and then disappear after I send the story.

I'm in the same boat as you.

 

[gauchecritic]

two conditions

Less than two and half thousand words and no violence, other than that (and assuming you'd be willing to chivvy me along after about a week) I'll edit for either of you.

Question. Is it editing (as in proofing) you require or the all encompassing gauchcritique, which takes a lot longer and is composed wholly of what I think writing should be rather than what text books think?

And more than one story a month is right out.

Otherwise...

Gauche

 

[Teenage Venus]

I would be very grateful if someone could recommend someone

I can recommend someone, but whether he would thank me for doing so is another matter. He obviously has his own commitments.

If you are fortunate enough to get his help you are on a winner. "cantdog"

Sorry if I dropped you in it cantdog - you shouln't be so good

 

[Lord Naraku]

Don't feel bad my story never got edited either I patiently battled the VE program for about a month and just gave up. My completed story is still in limbo, I'll most likely just submit it without editing.

 

[cantdog]

Re: two conditions

Less than two and half thousand words and no violence, other than that (and assuming you'd be willing to chivvy me along after about a week) I'll edit for either of you.

Question. Is it editing (as in proofing) you require or the all encompassing gauchcritique, which takes a lot longer and is composed wholly of what I think writing should be rather than what text books think?

And more than one story a month is right out.

Otherwise...

Gauche

Gawd, Gauche! I don't believe I've ever done one as short as 2500 words. I guess I have no control over myself.

But editing a novel is lotsa work all free for nothing, isn't it? With damn little prospect of pay in sight, we can't justify paying an editor; it appears we're stuck helping each other out or submitting raw.

I've done both, but only twice did the editor give me much I could use. My friends get tired of proofing once the novelty wears off.

How long is this thing, Lying Eyes? I'm doing this Scots historical chapter or two for a fellow right today, but by the end of, say, Sunday or Monday I should have an empty desk.

cantdog

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

It's actually not proofing I am looking for. I am quite proficient in spelling and grammar. What I am looking for is an editor who will read over my story and tell me where it's lacking, ie needs more details, needs more development, etc.

I appreciate the offer Gauche, but I do write more than one story a month usually (and they often go over 2,500 words even if just by a little bit.) For now, I am just submitting them after going back over them myself (even though I often don't catch areas that need work, lol).

 

[cantdog]

I taught grammar, but there are often weird typos and things. A mini critique is much more useful, and I will do that for folks, as well. Not everyone wants somebody's feet all over the work, though, so I ask people what they need.

If you are proficient, you ought to take on a few short works from time to time, to help people out. If you can wheedle Gauche into a critique, he's insightful. Hiddenself isn't bad. Mab will tell you. By reputation Old Weird Harold can edit with the best of them. There's lots of people here who can, but it does take time.

It makes for community, though.

 

[gauchecritic]

It's actually not proofing I am looking for. I am quite proficient in spelling and grammar. What I am looking for is an editor who will read over my story and tell me where it's lacking, ie needs more details, needs more development, etc.

I appreciate the offer Gauche, but I do write more than one story a month usually (and they often go over 2,500 words even if just by a little bit.) For now, I am just submitting them after going back over them myself (even though I often don't catch areas that need work, lol).

Ok. I'll stretch but I ain't doing no novels.

The reason I put the limits on is that it takes a lot of work on my part (only slightly easier than actually writing) editing the way I do. Usually small and fiddly nit-picking which I can't ignore, stopping myself from re-writing all the way through (and spell checking US spelling into English doesn't help).

Tell you what Crim, if you like, send me one and I'll edit it and see if we like each other enough to carry on eh?

Gauche

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Ok. I'll stretch but I ain't doing no novels.

<snip>

Tell you what Crim, if you like, send me one and I'll edit it and see if we like each other enough to carry on eh?

Gauche

LOL, you don't have to worry about doing novels. Most of mine hover around 3,000-3,500 but every once in a blue moon I will write something longer.

Ok... I'll send one your way. I have one that's been written for awhile (and it's actually just under 2,500 words), but I haven't submitted it because I am not happy with it, and the two editors I sent it to never bothered to respond back. PM is on its way to you....

 

[Foxfan69]

Like many of you have stated; I've found the volunteer editor program to be frustrating.


1. No reply of any kind from the editor.

2. A reply consisting of "I don't edit that catagory or I only edit works of x amount of words." {Don't say you will edit a story catagory if you won't!}

3. The editor accepts my work and after a long wait; a month or more; informs me that they are too busy at this time to help. {If you don't have the time then don't offer to be an editor.}

4. After accepting my work, I receive a complete rewrite from the editor. I've had two stories "edited" for me which turned out to be nothing more than my title and characters being 'ghostwritten' into a completely different story.


I just need some help on spelling; [my spell check program sucks!]; and some suggestions on how to 'tighten up' my stories to make them more readable.

Of course, these shortcomings of the editor program have been pointed out many times with little or no change.


Foxfan69's stories
http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/memberpage.php?uid=83189&page=submissions

 

[cantdog]

Like many of you have stated; I've found the volunteer editor program to be frustrating.


1. No reply of any kind from the editor.

2. A reply consisting of "I don't edit that catagory or I only edit works of x amount of words." {Don't say you will edit a story catagory if you won't!}

3. The editor accepts my work and after a long wait; a month or more; informs me that they are too busy at this time to help. {If you don't have the time then don't offer to be an editor.}

4. After accepting my work, I receive a complete rewrite from the editor. I've had two stories "edited" for me which turned out to be nothing more than my title and characters being 'ghostwritten' into a completely different story.


I just need some help on spelling; [my spell check program sucks!]; and some suggestions on how to 'tighten up' my stories to make them more readable.

Of course, these shortcomings of the editor program have been pointed out many times with little or no change.


Foxfan69's stories
http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/memberpage.php?uid=83189&page=submissions

Actually, FoxFan, I have found my editor-less-ness to have cleared right up. Two things did this. A particular volunteer editor off the board, and my doing editing for other people. When my "particular editor" is not available due to real life and interruptions of that kind, I have enough of a pool of people I've helped to be able to ask one of them to take a story on.
Perhaps you could consider a reciprocal sort of approach. It has helped my own situation.

 

[Foxfan69]

Actually, FoxFan, I have found my editor-less-ness to have cleared right up. Two things did this. A particular volunteer editor off the board, and my doing editing for other people. When my "particular editor" is not available due to real life and interruptions of that kind, I have enough of a pool of people I've helped to be able to ask one of them to take a story on.
Perhaps you could consider a reciprocal sort of approach. It has helped my own situation.

Thanks, cantdog. It does make sense to offer help as well as ask for help.

Foxfan69's stories
http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/memberpage.php?uid=83189&page=submissions

 

[Black Tulip]

There is another solution as well, although that takes more time.

I was lucky enough to get an editor by advertising myself on the Editor's Forum. I need him for grammar and vocabulary things.

If I am uncertain about the story itself I can ask fellow writers from the AH, but there is also the Story Discussion Circle. You can have your story looked over by more than one person, getting a lot of useful opinions and advice to improve your writing.
The only thing in return is that you take a serious look at the work of two others.

Take a look, it's worth it:

Story Discussion Circle

End of message.