Because amateurs — even well-meaning ones, with college degrees in Comparative English Literature or whatever — often create conversations JUST LIKE THIS.
This is why for anything truly important, go with somebody who edits for monies, full time, in that specific field.
Related:
The evil secret to ALL WRITING – editing is everything
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Guy – Photo by Suhyoon Cho
Reformed journalist. Scribbler of speeches and whatnot. Wrote a thriller that was a finalist for some award.
This is so funny because its so true…
Lol “what nose-glasses?” That sums up a lot of criticism from strangers. Most just avoid saying anything, which I’m not sure is better or worse. Editing is time-consuming and repetitive and borderline mind-bending, but necessary.
Editing is everything.
I’ve caused some hurt stupid writer feelings just by suggesting to other writers that just maybe input from their trusted beta readers might not be all the editing their book needs. Sure, it’s more expensive up front, and I know that scares off a lot of newbies, but what really seems to terrify the ones I talk to is fear someone’s going to eff with their precious work. At that point, no matter how many books you’ve indie-published, I call “amateur.”
You only speak the truth.
Ah hahaha! My stupid writer feelings and my stupid editor feelings both are feeling this….
Glad you liked it.
This is sooooo funny and is why I am going to an impartial source for criticism! Hahaha!
You should bring this link to my Use Me and Abuse Me Day party which starts today! My guests would love it…
The what party?
Come over and see! The Use Me and Abuse Me Day party on my blog! Leave a link and click on a few. It is still raging!
Here’s the link. Feel free to delete this. Don’t forget to check out the dance bombing instruction.
http://susielindau.com/2012/07/11/use-me-and-abuse-me-day-dance-bomber-edition/
I totally agree you need a professional editor, but how do you go about finding a decent one? Is there a register of such editors?
I recently used an editor I had selected from a top, writers journal. I spoke to a selection of editors before picking this particular one. She came across as very professional. She wasn’t the cheapest either, but she was in line with most I had spoken to. She promised me six weeks as she had a project she needed to finish first. She took three months and when I finally got my manuscript back I got the impression she had rushed it in the last two weeks (I do have evidence to back that up). Although most of what she’d done seems ok I found a few sentences spread out through my MS that she had changed and now made absolutely no sense what-so-ever.
Next time I will be looking else where, but where is the best place to look?
I vouch for Theresa Stevens.
Wow. As true as this is, and as sensitive as I am, the “stupid writer feelings” line was fantastic! Part of what makes it so great, though, is those dull XtraNormal electronic voices.
I imagine this is exactly the kind of conversation I’ll be having one day (hopefully soon).
Appreciated your distinction between proof-reading and editing (and realized I probably put my money on the wrong horse–twice) and the mention of Teresa-the-editor whose blog I checked but couldn’t figure out how to follow.
Copy editing and proofing are easy. Real editing is hard and worth it.
I know many writers think it’s not necessary, even get advice from other idies and self-appointed indie gurus that editing is not necessary. I say… wrong. Good editing may be the most important aspect of writing.
Those people really believe that? Wow. That’s a special kind of stupid.
Yes.
That was so funny! Thanks for the laugh this morning back in the states.