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Joe Smith Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 6667
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 6:59pm | IP Logged | 1
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Hi JB-Effers,
I have finally given in and started writing. My worst fears are coming true about the project, though, as I can’t, and don’t want to, stop writing. I’m gathering chapter after chapter and having so much fun doing it.
I feel the weight of unedited oversight upon me.
So, as I am a complete novice in the field:
Should I hire an editor immediately?
There is always self-doubt when doing a creative project, but I have to say there’s no way I’m going to stop this no matter how bad I may be at writing. I think I would like somebody to tell me where the plot holes are, direct me in a way that makes dialogue easier to read. I don’t want to do that myself. The story is unfolding and I am along for the ride. It’s writing itself at this point.
I appreciate any advice you might have whether you are experienced or not. Thank you,
Joemith(Realname).
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Peter Martin Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 March 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 15949
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 7:05pm | IP Logged | 2
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I would just get the whole thing down while the creative juices are flowing. Don't worry about all the rest until you get to the second draft stage.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 133315
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 7:12pm | IP Logged | 3
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Joemith?
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Joe Smith Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 6667
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 7:21pm | IP Logged | 4
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I think my need for an editor is quite evident. 😬
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Joe Smith Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 6667
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 7:24pm | IP Logged | 5
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Thanks Peter. I mean, that’s what’s going to happen anyway at the current rate. It’s scary to do all these dialogue bits and just blow by them thinking I’m breaking cardinal rules.
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Dave Kopperman Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 27 December 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3353
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 7:51pm | IP Logged | 6
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If you haven't read Stephen King's On Writing, he's got some great practical advice in general, but his advice on this topic is to write the first draft "with the door closed" and the second draft "with it open". Don't show anyone the dang thing until you've completed a draft, and then find a trusted reader to poke it for you.
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Craig Earl Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 13 July 2019 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1364
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 8:00pm | IP Logged | 7
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Just go for it.
I wrote my first book around twelve years ago, self-published without using an editor. It was reasonably well received, although I felt the need to rewrite it a few years later.
There are a huge amount of unedited writers out there. If you are writing for your own pleasure and are not too worried about making money, it can be an enjoyable pastime.
Why not do your best work, have it printed and then give it to friends and relatives for their honest opinion?
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Joe Smith Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 6667
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Posted: 09 May 2024 at 8:19pm | IP Logged | 8
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Thanks Dave K. Googling that book now.
To be transparent, I would love for this to be a comic book. That’s why I’m thinking editor right out of the box. (And by right out of the box, I’m talking Book 7 Chapter 6 as of today. Started on 2/28/24)
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Rebecca Jansen Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 February 2018 Location: Canada Posts: 4635
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Posted: 10 May 2024 at 12:26am | IP Logged | 9
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I've edited text semi-professionally, even received a couple 'thanks' in books that went on to see publication. I always had a Strunk & White's 'The Elements Of Style' at my side but I was poorest at editing my own work I think; it's hard to be objective enough. I agree Stephen King's book is an excellent one, and Dean Koontz wrote a good one as well which I've also read.
Editing/writing for comics would be something else entirely though, perhaps more in line with film direction versus plain text fiction. For comics I've read Will Eisner's Comics And Sequential Art and Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics and they had a lot of food for thought in them.
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Joe Smith Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 6667
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Posted: 10 May 2024 at 1:30am | IP Logged | 10
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Here’s something:
should I give away the story to the beta reader /editor BEFORE they start reading it. Like a writer/director trying to pitch a movie? Should they know where we are eventually headed? Or, should I trust I have the good twist and ask them for clarity problems and plot holes. My intention is not to dominate the world of writing, but to make a story that has a journey worth taking.
And spell my own name correctly.
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Peter Martin Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 March 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 15949
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Posted: 10 May 2024 at 1:32am | IP Logged | 11
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On Writing is useful, though King has some idiosyncrasies that I disagree with (he never uses apostrophes when dropping a letter in someone's dialogue, for example).
There's a lot of great advice in the book overall. The first time I read it, I found the advice to avoid all adverbs a little jarring, but have since come to see the wisdom in it.
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Joe Smith Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 6667
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Posted: 10 May 2024 at 2:01am | IP Logged | 12
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Eek. I’m sure I’ve loaded the truck up with adverbs. Gonna need a bigger truck.
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