New Idea (Sort Of)

[AsylumSeeker]

Did I say "Sorry"?

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Huh?

Well put, and I bowed to that in my most recent posting but one. Unfortunately, that's not the topic this thread initiated in the original posting. This thread is about taking someone's posted story without their knowledge/request, editing, it and sending it back to them marked up with your "edits."

Since you continue to write, and I have my wits about me, I will be drawn into your web if ever so briefly.

Apparently "good will" is no antidote.

I secretly submit no antidote exists at all.

Instead of doing good and actually helping someone, why are you so selfish that you steal time away from those that could help others? Can't figure your selfish ass out.

 

[sr71plt]

Instead of doing good and actually helping someone, why are you so selfish that you steal time away from those that could help others? Can't figure your selfish ass out.

Perhaps because you are looking through the wrong end of the telescope--or with those club glasses they've given you.

I'm having interesting, productive discussions all over the forum, including this one--despite the personal attacking your club is doing to try to distract me.

Just take off the glasses and take a look for yourself.

The advice I posted to you on the "OK" thread was not only well meant but it also was the publishing industry standard--and I cited the authorities for it. The deterioration from there was because I was trying to give you the most helpful answer possible.

The "oh no, don't do that" response I gave to you on this thread as well, was not only the most helpful response you could get--it's the same advice nearly everyone else gave you too.

I've also stated more than once on this thread that I thought your intentions were well-meant in what you were offering--and I quite gently steered you away from your assumption that palisa was attacking you in any way.

If you don't choose to understand that I was trying to be helpful despite the snide nattering of other, this isn't my problem.

If, after this, you want to fight with me, you'll just have to fight with yourself. If you want to engage in substantive discussions with me--as I am doing elsewhere in the forum--that would be very fine. Do as your conscience tells you to do.

But if you post another question like this to me, don't count on a response. I haven't asked you a loaded false presumptive question like this, and I'll not play those "have you stopped beating your wife yet" games.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I won't lay claim to the idea, a while back I received a random "hello" from someone that was just too damned happy to be alive, but it made my day. If you know or are this person, please make yourself known. If not, a huggss to you anyway!

I find myself working with a GREAT guy that is so upbeat that its infectious, and I feel so much more energized myself. He loves life and leaves me feeling guilty for not being completely happy. But here's the idea. Why not a random "editing"?

It may be unwanted, maybe not, but if you (editors) have extra time, just randomly select a story for whatever reason, edit the story, and send it to the writer. I just did this (okay, admittedly but only by chance, it was less than a Lit page in length, but I didn't know that in advance)

Just an idea.

While your heart is in the right place, I don't think it's a good idea. I know I have no interest in receiving an unsolicited edit on any of my work.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Thanks for your input

While your heart is in the right place, I don't think it's a good idea. I know I have no interest in receiving an unsolicited edit on any of my work.

Point taken. It was a bit idealistic. Perhaps a good, well-meaning intention carried a bit too far.

As my father used to say (bless his soul), "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions!"

Well, the exclamation mark is my doing.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Well, technically, the writer is the one who gets to break the rules, and the editor is the one who has to know the rules so he can fix the writer's mistakes; so an editor could definitely benefit from a college degree, while the writer could probably skate by without one. I was just thinking that at the non-pro level, an un-degreed editor could probably handle the job, especially if it was just grammar and punctuation. Shaping a story, cutting, making suggestions, that's a whole 'nother conversation.

I wonder if editors have terminology for how deeply they delve into a story. SR? AS?

Good question, as also was SR's follow-up. But I don't know how to quote (if it's possible) more than one comment at a time. So I have chosen yours, DZ, as it preceded SR's, although both seem to be "drilling for the same oil", so to speak.

I have no "piece of paper" to wave before your eyes to "prove" my credentials. In fact, I have no college degree whatsoever. I "almost" Clepped an Associate degree, but math was my undoing, hate numbers. But I did spend 20 years "watching the door" as a member of the USAF, and with no college training, currently do curriculum developent and am highly regarded by my employer.

So sometimes experience counts for more than "taking classes". I have a natural writing talent. and if you question this I challenge you to read my lateset stories (I have matured as a writer during the time I've been here).

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=479657&page=submissions

To answer the question, am I "qualified?" Absolutely not, at least not in the "legal" forum. But ask if I'm better able to edit and mentor? Ask my clients, they seem quite satisfied.

DS, back to your question. When I take on a new writer I question them what they want. Corrections only? Comments as to how they can add sizzle? Where they can add a twist?

Mostly they just want corrections.

Does that answer the question? If not, please do tell, I'll be glad to reapproach.

Beating SR to his next question as to how I sell myself as an editor when I'm "obviously and admittedly" unqualified, I can just say this: I don't edit because I enjoy to place personal writing projects and personal commitments aside for days at a time, I do it out of love for the hobby and to help others who want to write. And there's no credentials required for a hobby. But I'm sure he'll find fault with this as well.

 

[sr71plt]

Good question, as also was SR's follow-up. But I don't know how to quote (if it's possible) more than one comment at a time. So I have chosen yours, DZ, as it preceded SR's, although both seem to be "drilling for the same oil", so to speak.

I have no "piece of paper" to wave before your eyes to "prove" my credentials. In fact, I have no college degree whatsoever. I "almost" Clepped an Associate degree, but math was my undoing, hate numbers. But I did spend 20 years "watching the door" as a member of the USAF, and with no college training, currently do curriculum developent and am highly regarded by my employer.

So sometimes experience counts for more than "taking classes". I have a natural writing talent. and if you question this I challenge you to read my lateset stories (I have matured as a writer during the time I've been here).

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=479657&page=submissions

To answer the question, am I "qualified?" Absolutely not, at least not in the "legal" forum. But ask if I'm better able to edit and mentor? Ask my clients, they seem quite satisfied.

DS, back to your question. When I take on a new writer I question them what they want. Corrections only? Comments as to how they can add sizzle? Where they can add a twist?

Mostly they just want corrections.

Does that answer the question? If not, please do tell, I'll be glad to reapproach.

Beating SR to his next question as to how I sell myself as an editor when I'm "obviously and admittedly" unqualified, I can just say this: I don't edit because I enjoy to place personal writing projects and personal commitments aside for days at a time, I do it out of love for the hobby and to help others who want to write. And there's no credentials required for a hobby. But I'm sure he'll find fault with this as well.

Again that presumption from wearing those club glasses.

What's asserted as my "next" question, isn't (brainwashed a bit, are we?). I don't really have a question at all at this point. I don't think you have to be a credentialed (degree on paper) editor to help other writers here, and what you would be doing is some form of editing, so I wouldn't claim it wasn't just because you didn't have credentialed training. (If anyone bothers to check, I stated up the line there that most of the top-ranked book editors don't have formal education credentials; they have extensive on-the-job training and a history of successful results). I think it's great that writers here will help other writers, and a second pair of eyes on a story is valuable as long as the second pair has some experience in what they are doing. (The formal motto of editing, by the way, is "first do no harm"). If the writer getting the help is happy with the help they are getting and they are getting greater success with the help, that's fine.

Now moving to claim that what they are getting is somehow professional-level editing would be a problem, I think, without credentials/history of experience the writer could see and check out--but there's a whole lot of help that could be given short of that. And this Web site offers that sort of help when most others don't. All good--to that point. And I see no reason to go beyond that point unless all people want to do here is argue over the points and present themselves as something they aren't.

 

[palisa]

Spam

Shameless blurb here for a story inspired by this thread and just posted.

A couple of motivations: I figured if I were going to bitch and moan about editing, I should have at least one story posted for others to take potshots at. In addition, the idea of "ganging up" on innocent authors tickled me.

Betsy Finds Her Muse is here.

I see that I'm supposed to be responsible for monitoring the comments on the story? An author's job is never done on this site, I guess...

Thanks to LadyC for the edit, which she agreed to turn around very quickly. She and I agree wholeheartedly that any remaining problems are the sole responsibility of the other.

 

[LadyCibelle]

Shameless blurb here for a story inspired by this thread and just posted.

A couple of motivations: I figured if I were going to bitch and moan about editing, I should have at least one story posted for others to take potshots at. In addition, the idea of "ganging up" on innocent authors tickled me.

Betsy Finds Her Muse is here.

I see that I'm supposed to be responsible for monitoring the comments on the story? An author's job is never done on this site, I guess...

Thanks to LadyC for the edit, which she agreed to turn around very quickly. She and I agree wholeheartedly that any remaining problems are the sole responsibility of the other.

I don't deserve the thanks, my friend. Your story was a work of art even before I started on it, and the little I did didn't make it better, I only gave you my opinion as a reader.

 

[palisa]

I just found one error in the fourth-to-last graf, an error I introduced after the story had been pasted in the submission box. The text that LadyC saw was "As the sun began to set, Betsy watched Mr. Beard load the disassembled frame..."

I decided I wanted her watching from the window, and changed it to "As the sun began to set, Betsy watched from the window as Mr. Beard load the disassembled frame..."

Bah! No way to duck responsibility for THAT one! Gotta resist the urge to tinker sometimes.

But LadyC, your suggestion to introduce some specific grammar problems was inspired. It added to the humor of juxtaposing sex and English usage.

 

[Guest]

I just found one error in the fourth-to-last graf, an error I introduced after the story had been pasted in the submission box. The text that LadyC saw was "As the sun began to set, Betsy watched Mr. Beard load the disassembled frame..."

I decided I wanted her watching from the window, and changed it to "As the sun began to set, Betsy watched from the window as Mr. Beard load the disassembled frame..."

Bah! No way to duck responsibility for THAT one! Gotta resist the urge to tinker sometimes.

But LadyC, your suggestion to introduce some specific grammar problems was inspired. It added to the humor of juxtaposing sex and English usage.

Read and PC'd.

Truly enjoyable read - well done!

 

[Noctame]

hmmm....cool

 

[curl4ever]

Very nice!

Shameless blurb here for a story inspired by this thread and just posted.
Betsy Finds Her Muse is here.

Absolutely delightful!
- curl

 

[snooper]

Off Topic

... But I don't know how to quote (if it's possible) more than one comment at a time. ...

... But I don't know how to quote (if it's possible) more than one comment at a time. ...

As you see, it is possible. In this case I just copied and pasted the same quote twice, but it is that easy/difficult. When quoting one person you just add the [qvote=second author] and [/qvote] (spelled correctly of course) round a simple copy and paste of the second person's words.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Mispost.

 

[torchthebitch]

Snooper

My two pennorth.

1 I personally wouldn't mind unsolicited editing but there are those who can't handle creative comment even when they ask for it

2

As you see, it is possible. In this case I just copied and pasted the same quote twice, but it is that easy/difficult. When quoting one person you just add the [qvote=second author] and [/qvote] (spelled correctly of course) round a simple copy and paste of the second person's words.

I've been trying to find out how to do this. Thanks

3 I'll be sending you my story momentarily once I find what i did with your addy. Ta muchly