When is it a good time to find an editor?

[Sensitiveguy708]

I have been writing my story(s) for awhile and I haven't quiet finished it. I been wondering when should I request editorial help...when I'm finished or would it be fair to have my story looked at incomplete...with the possibility of bouncing some ideas off to give the story a decent ending.

I seem to have run into a problem as I start my stories out, but halfway through I'm unsatisfied how it reads and unable to finish it. Part of the problem is that I've designed a set of characters for multiple stories (their origins). So I been writing three different stories at various times.

Anyway my main concern here is when is it a good (and fair) time to request an editor? Typically how much input is an editor willing to give? Basically I would like to know what entails in editor besides proofreading. Any insight would be much appreciated.

 

[LadyVer]

I have been writing my story(s) for awhile and I haven't quiet finished it. I been wondering when should I request editorial help...when I'm finished or would it be fair to have my story looked at incomplete...with the possibility of bouncing some ideas off to give the story a decent ending.

I seem to have run into a problem as I start my stories out, but halfway through I'm unsatisfied how it reads and unable to finish it. Part of the problem is that I've designed a set of characters for multiple stories (their origins). So I been writing three different stories at various times.

Anyway my main concern here is when is it a good (and fair) time to request an editor? Typically how much input is an editor willing to give? Basically I would like to know what entails in editor besides proofreading. Any insight would be much appreciated.

It's up to individual authorial preferences and needs. Usually, a good time to look for editing is when the writer feels he/she has done all they can to the story (or they're sick of it). Given that many volunteer editors have other obligations and work full time outside Lit and aren't professional editors, finding a VE that is a good fit and dependable is really a crap shoot on Lit. Some VE's copy edit for mechanics, some just edit for structural issues. The writer needs to decide what he/she wants and then clearly communicate that in their editing request, along with their category, sex themes, word count, and time frame.

 

[Sensitiveguy708]

It's up to individual authorial preferences and needs...The writer needs to decide what he/she wants and then clearly communicate that in their editing request, along with their category, sex themes, word count, and time frame.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[HeyAll]

My advice would be to find an editor as soon as possible because a good editor is hard to come by.

 

[sr71plt]

I agree that it depends on the interests of the editor. I'm one, though, who doesn't want to see it until it's written and you've done all you can with it. I don't mind pointing out what I think you could have done better with the context, but I don't want to become someone's coauthor or the lazy author's finisher or creative substitute. For here, I want only to edit for the technicals.

 

[Sensitiveguy708]

I don't want to become someone's coauthor or the lazy author's finisher or creative substitute. For here, I want only to edit for the technicals.

I get the feeling is a widespread train of thought. Completely understandable. I suppose this answers the question and I know now that I need to finish the story. I'll get there...eventually.

 

[Delilah_Night]

The first draft of anything is shit---Hemingway

Don't worry overly much. Listen to your characters and see where they lead you to end the story. If you're really stuck, an editor may be able to help you. But the best editors don't co-write. They'll ask you questions to help you figure out where you want the story to go.

The worst mistake I ever made was stopping a story 20k words in to go back and edit the first section. It's been ten years. I've been published in a dozen anthologies, my first novella recently came out, and I just finished the first draft of a novel. I can't, for whatever reason, finish that damn ghost story. I got too far into my own head and am now trapped beyond repair.

Even if you think it's shit (and like Hemingway said--the first draft of anything is shit) keep writing because you can't edit what you haven't written.

 

[sr71plt]

The first draft of anything is shit---Hemingway

Just because Hemingway said it doesn't make it so, though. Writers aren't all the same. Some can have the story organized well in their minds before they write the first draft. Writing isn't a one size fits all art.

 

[_Lynn_]

Just because Hemingway said it doesn't make it so, though. Writers aren't all the same. Some can have the story organized well in their minds before they write the first draft. Writing isn't a one size fits all art.

I was thinking that, too. I don't have a story in my head before I begin writing, but the OCD doesn't like mistakes. That means I correct (and change) as I go. In fact, I wrote a story one day and submitted the first draft to the Winter Holiday Contest hours later. It took first place. Is it perfect? Of course not. But it's far from shit.

 

[sr71plt]

I almost never delete anything from my first draft. Subsequent reviews just expand it. And I limit reviews. If I review it more than two times, it starts to lose its freshness and flow.

 

[Sensitiveguy708]

Just because Hemingway said it doesn't make it so, though. Writers aren't all the same. Some can have the story organized well in their minds before they write the first draft. Writing isn't a one size fits all art.

I think the quote is less about first drafts and more about getting things down on paper. Yes there are talented writers, but the quote in context also says...keep writing because you can't edit what you haven't written.

Which pretty much applies to my situation. I need to get it down on paper before I think about finding an editor.

I'm working on it, even if it's a paragraph or two a night. As long as I feel like there's progress being made I'll finish it sooner than later.

I appreciate all the advice given.

 

[sr71plt]

A first draft would be the first time it was written out. Doesn't change what I posted.

 

[LWulf]

I wrote a very interesting five paragraph comment regarding this issue and others comments, but the webpage timed out, I didn't save my password, and couldn't retrieve the original page to copy paste it here again.
Cue sad trombone.
I almost don't want to write it again but will try in brief...

****

I agree what others have said that you need to get it finished first prior to submitting to an author.

It took me 7 years of writing a story prior to submitting it here. It's also taken me 40 years to write one story (and have yet to finish writing it) but that's a mainstream novel.

My point is, that I understand not feeling like you have finished writing a story and wanting to edit it yourself, again and again, but with regards to Volunteer Editors, you must bring it to a point and say "that's enough." Anything else will likely be frowned on by VEs.

****

Akin to this is what a writer here, whom I respect, who coined a term for someone other than an editor, who might help in writing a story. Their role is to look for plot holes and they may help with helping to get a story finished (no, SR71, it isn't a copy editor). I, sadly, have forgotten the term (twice! hrm (and I shan't ask again)) and I've seen it used in professional settings/publishing houses, but unless you know the term, it's almost impossible to find it.

There are some people here who do that sort of role, but it is harder to find them than trying to find VE. What you would do is submit it to (this role) and then submit the more finished version to a VE.

(The trouble with memory is that negatives are stronger memories than positives which is why I remember SR71 saying what it isn't while I forget that it is)

****

I'd also like to reinforce what LadyVer mentioned in passing. It is completely seemly and appropriate to give, or ask for, an eta from a VE. Don't be a mush-mouth and think it too forward.

****

Something you mentioned in passing I'd like to discuss which others have either omitted or overlooked.

I have not encountered this, but I believe it is okay to ask for a VE to read another story for context purposes, opposed to the story you are asking them to edit. It is likely that if you ask a VE to edit three stories at once, that you won't get anybody to help you.

VEs are... well, voluntary and as such are likely to rebuke doing something that they suspect you will simply post on kadoodle or whatever.

In other words, they won't do for free what they think you will sell for money.

You'd have to check with more experienced writers here with regards to whether a VE will read a reference story while editing a cross linked second story.

...okay, not so brief.

 

[sr71plt]

Akin to this is what a writer here, whom I respect, who coined a term for someone other than an editor, who might help in writing a story. Their role is to look for plot holes and they may help with helping to get a story finished (no, SR71, it isn't a copy editor).

Depending on how much work must be done on it, that would be either a content editor (lesser work) or development editor (greater work).

They get paid a lot for doing this in the mainstream and a publishing house would really want to land an author to get into doing this for them.