Do You Have An Editor?

You're not the only one.

I publish some tech journals, and while I'm not an author, I have all the authors' pieces go through two editors - a technical editor who works with the authors directly, then one more editor who once overs everything and focuses on consistency between the pieces (always a moving target, but we work on it).

For people who don't use external editors - why not? Is it disruptive to the writing and publishing process? Is it a cost concern? Something else?

And you even proved your own point ...

I own a book production service and find it essential to have at least two sets of eyes other than the author--a copyeditor and a proofreader. It's hard for a writer to look at their own work with a critical eye, nor do many have the expertise of a good editor. Even my authors who are editors need an independent edit.

Many websites, articles, ebooks, etc. would certainly benefit from employing editors.

I never make mistrakes so I don't need no editor.

This makes me out to be a bit hypocritical/illogical, but I do agree with you and don't really have an editor.

I do have some training and experience, myself, as an editor, and I muddle through on that basis. I try to "leave things for a little while and go back to them later" before the last edit, hoping to be able to see them with a fresh eye (though it's still difficult).

I do publish all content on my own sites first, though, before anything gets widely syndicated, and that at stage one or both of my parents will nearly always read them ... so I do have "one last chance" to correct any mistakes, even though technically they're "already published", at that stage.

I think this simple thread just took me backward in time some 6 years ago!

I'd be lying if I were to suggest that my love for writing excluded the literary accomplishments of the many great minds whom have influenced me to pursue it further.

Rather than bore anyone with the long version of what I believe has ultimately led me here, I'll try to narrow it down.

Six years ago, a well-educated individual pursuing his PHD in Theology once happened across some writings I was fooling around with, which I had blindly entitled; "Perplexing the Void With Canonical Force".

The irony being, this person held a Master's Degree, and a few other reputable academic accomplishments to his credit, whereby, I am a free-spirited, high school dropout with no formal training for my writing passion.

Honestly, I think subconsciously, I willed him to find these writings and had mentally prepared myself to be insulted, ridiculed, and perhaps reveal that my writings sucked, as I had yet to accept the act of writing as anything more than a hobby of sort.

My wife held a position working as the Pastor's assistant, and I'd often fooled around on the Pastor's office computer, with permission of course, and had been adding to a Word document I labeled, "Art's Utter Mutterings" for maybe 2 weeks.

At the time, it was maybe 10-12k words in a raw "rough draft".

The "Wise Old Sage" in this case, seems a befitting title for the Pastor, who approached me rather seriously one afternoon, and asked firmly; "Art, did you write this in my computer?"

Here I was thinking it 'offended' him or that I may have crossed the line with my philosophical writings.:rolleyes:

Anyway, he asked me if I knew of Martin Luther?

"Sure, he's the guy who stood for equal rights;" -I responded.

He smirked, and said; "No, not him, I was referring to; Martin Luther c1500's -Diet of Worms."

Long story short, I hadn't a clue who that Martin Luther was at the time, let alone what he did?, what he wrote?, or who he impacted with his influential thinking and bold philosophies?

Anyway, the point being... (*finally) -The Pastor contended to tell me my writings were written in similar accord as Martin Luther's writings.:confused:
He too mentioned some words I later had to look up in the dictionary, such as his mention that my syntax and contextual flow was superbly written.

He then, ripped me up stating; "Do you realize that you are writing at or above the standard college academic levels?

He went on to say; "If you were to pursue a career in writing, and I suggest that you do, the biggest issue I see is your grammar and punctuation is seriously lacking!"

Mind you, I was/am a skilled laborer of sort, with the ability to build, repair, design, reconstruct, and even draft the blueprints for suitable construction projects, and yet; here's this "genius" telling me I'm a writer.

I simply wrote it off as flattering, and nothing more than an insult to my experience, or better still, my reality!

I did however, look into an online course called; "Break Into Print" through the LongRidge Writer's Group, and to this very day, I have still procrastinated pursuing a career in writing or truly committing myself to that course, or even that of perfecting or improving upon my grammar or punctuation!:rolleyes:

However, I maintain a silent desire to write at a higher level, and believe this threads title may very well impart contain the answer...

I desperately NEED a proof reader and an editor! -Yet, there remains a silent fear, I might actually be able to take my hobby to the next level, and I'm still wondering if that will help increase my passion for writing? or kill it, and make it a chore?

Hence, I am trapped as are many of my writing ambitions in a perplexing series of failing at everything else I have tried to establish for nearly the entirety of the past 6 years, in a futal attempt to salvage the experience I had gained over the 15 years I was self-employed, offline.

I don't know "How it works" with other writers, but for me, I love the therapeutic value writing provides, and the state of peace I find when I just let it flow. Perhaps, I fear losing that comfort? -I dunno!

Unfortunately, if I try to critique my writings, or edit them myself, I will literally obliterate what came naturally in trying to correct upon it, and spend all my time questioning it's literary correctness, as I am not privileged to know what constitutes quality writing from an academic vantage point.

Internet Marketing seems a valiant way to remain anonymous, while testing the waters, and I have since found great challenge in mastering the tools of this trade to create an ethical business that will not rob me of this passion.

The greater question now is; "Where does one find a proof reader? and/or an editor?"

Apparently, my short version ran a bit over my projected response, as I have all but "spilled my guts out all over the stage", as Mick Jagger's lyrics come to mind.

Meanwhile, I am so damn stubborn with exploring my writing or seeking a proofreader or editor, that much of my current "reality" screams; "It's do or die!" -I'm either going to start writing my future or be consumed by my writing as it appears to be both a blessing and a curse!

All the Best,

Art