Writing/editor question.

turmaline · 10-06-2009, 09:42 AM

Say I was going to write a book, and I sucked at grammar etc. but I could write fairly well and get my point across.

Can professional writers count on an editor for this problem?

Or do I have to go back to school?

I really have no time for school but I find my lack of know all about structure/punctuation is deterring me from writing at all.

So yeah are there shitty writers who leave it to the editor?

verklingen · 10-06-2009, 09:45 AM

i wouldn't be surprised, but i also wouldn't be surprised if there was a lot of fighting between them

you wouldn't really need to go to school anyway there's tons you can learn online

turmaline · 10-06-2009, 09:55 AM

true, true.

Do you mean fighting as in an editor changing things you've written?

verklingen · 10-06-2009, 10:00 AM

yeah that's what i was thinking. i know i'd have a hard time being an editor without wanting to change some stuff around

turmaline · 10-06-2009, 10:03 AM

changing the wording around is fine if it makes more sense, but rewriting the story the way someone else wants it to be, like changing the story....is a different story.

verklingen · 10-06-2009, 10:13 AM

but where that line is drawn could get a bit touchy. maybe the writer would think his or her specific wording was powerful and added to the story, and the editor could hack it up to make what he considered better sense of it. it's a slippery slope!

turmaline · 10-06-2009, 10:18 AM

yes, but in the end is it not what the writer wants?

Kompressor · 10-06-2009, 10:47 AM

No, it's what will bring in the most $$, if you're writing professionally.

You could always go the blog route if you don't want to compromise your literary integrity.

generic_hippie · 10-06-2009, 03:49 PM

editors can be persuaded to leave sections of story in tact, if it is necessary for the integrity of the yarn you are spinning

most writing software these days will guide you adequately with punctuation suggestions, (eg word or any open source word processing software will give you the guidance without changing the fundamental details of your story)

you've got friends here capable and (probably) willing to help you with a re-write...

There's this one hippie in particular with a reasonable command of the language...

turmaline · 10-21-2009, 10:37 PM

haha thanks.

slow response.

**Pharm Girl** · 10-22-2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

you've got friends here capable and (probably) willing to help you with a re-write...

There's this one hippie in particular with a reasonable command of the language...

ditto.........

Mydriasis · 10-23-2009, 05:26 PM

I'd help too but I don't have good grammar skills either

. That's why I write poetry mostly haha.

turmaline · 10-23-2009, 05:38 PM

I know^^ you guys are awesome.

I'll show you someday, my writings but not on here.

mother4 · 11-13-2009, 12:32 PM

There's only one way to learn to write, and that is to read.

BibleGuy · 11-13-2009, 12:58 PM

I had an editor (technical writer) once who changed part of a manual for a computer thingie to make it read better. Improving readability, he told the user precisely how to blow the thing up during installation. This would fall under the "changing the story" category. Haha. It was ok though. All it took was a little conversation to fix it.

I kinda like the blog idea. What's the subject of your book?

ValerySob · 11-14-2009, 06:56 AM

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