TalonRider

I would have to agree with you aj. I have seen shells at lake beaches, but nothing like you'd find at the shore.

Now for my real intent to this thread. As I told Graeme in chat, I would check this comment today. I'm not used to getting too much feed back from some of the authors I've worked with. So using what Graeme listed at the top, I'll give a little more feedback on the story. B) I didn't automatically assume they were at the ocean, but a smll beach some where. C) If I had assumed the sexes of the adults as male and female, it was due to an early comment in the beginning stages of this demo. I believe you mentioned it as a straight short story you did. And I am learning to be a little more forth coming with my comments both as an editor and a reader. Now, when I finish the editting, I try to switch over to reader mode and give my thoughts on the story. And Graeme is right, I do try to keep the authors work in tact. After all, it his/her work. All I can do is suggest changes.

In my style of editting, I've learned the hard way when it comes to spelling errors, point them out, give the correct spelling and let the author change it. Case in point, while doing a BS edit for Dewey, I changed a word, didn't hi-light it and mentioned it. D was unhappy about it because he misspelled the word on purpose, which meant he had to go find it and change it. When it comes to using the grammar check, I don't always agree with what is pointed out and the suggested change, but I do look at it closely. If I do see a way to change it, I suggest it. As a learning editor, I enjoyed doing this and see what others do. If Graeme wants to rework the story and send it to us again, I'm up for it. And I agree with you AJ, this demo would be a good place for authors to check us out. And btw, James, are we looking for a new editor? lol

Don't feel too bad Aaron. I've seen a lot of things that other editors have missing in the stories I've read. And I make mistakes also. Talon

I think at this point, we're probably waiting on Aaron, since he was on vacation, and there's still time for that project before its due. I've been a little busy doing some editing for Dewey and TPW. And now, add to that the shock I'm in this morning involving another project I'm involved in.

Graeme, I would have to say, if you want to go thru them, then go ahead and do it. Then once all are in and ready, send them to Mike. And if you want to rework the story, thats totally up to you. And with the stories you've written already, I think you should add this one to the collection. It really show your versitility. Talon

I'm ready. I spent the better part of Sunday doing a little work for TR on Der Cowboy. But then again, I'm also waiting on Blue and chapter 5 of Collision.

ROFLMAO Thanks aj. I didn't realize I made a double meaning comment. Besides being one of my favorite authors, I also consider him a friend.

One thing I've noticed with the grammer check I use, it offers explanations of the rule and gives some examples.

You know I'm always willing if you want me, Dewey.

Sound good to me. Talon

I know I've said this before, but as an editor, I don't feel I have the right to change what the author writes, except for maybe some spelling. I can only suggest/recommend something and then it's up to them if they want to use it or not. And it nice to get some praise every now and then from our author(s), which I've been getting lately, both privately and publicly. Talon

If I may make a suggestion AJ, for those of us who will participate in this exercise, the author would/should send the story to the editors. The editors do their thing and send it back. Once all works are back and the author grades them, so to speak, he would/should post the results for each of us. If by chance the editor was really, really bad, then email it to them. Talon

If your looking for volunteers to do the proofing, then let me be the first to volunteer. :twisted:

Congratlations AJ from a newbie. For those of you who don't know me, I'm The "Lord and Master" of The Talon House.

Don't worry, AJ. The crew lets me out from time to time.

AJ, maybe we could get an author to write a short story just for editor's/proofreader's. Something to test our skills and then throw comments back at us as to how we did. It would also test me to see what I've learned in the process, being relative new at this. I have seen some constructive comments from some of the Collision Crew authors. Currently, I working with Jamessavik on "Broken", The Collision Crew on "Collision," with quite a group of author's there, James, Graeme, Oz, crvboy, Codey, Ryan, Tragic Rabbit, Plasticreality, nmos, and Blue. I'm also working with a relative new author, Yaalc, and of course a veteran writer, Dewey as his BS editor on "TPW." So it will be interesting to see what goes on here. Jan

Thanks AJ. My current method is to highlight the possible problem in green, copy that area and paste it at the end of the document with the location. I then give my suggestion. As for spelling errors, I do them in red. I sometimes change it and still comment about it. If I may ask, what version of word do you use. I use MSword XL version and don't have the Track Edits. I think I could make use of it. TalonRider

I too am glad to see this forum and thank James for pointing me in this direction. And Dewey for indirectly, for doing the same. Much of what I do and have thought about are here here to remind me. Thanks, TalonRider

As an editor, I'm going to enjoy this forum. I've not been doing this very long so I'm still learning new things. I'm currently working with 3 individual authors and a group, all of which are great to work with. My particular method is it recommend/suggest changes. I feel it is up to the writer to make the changes and not me. When it comes to spelling, if I change it, I let the writer know about it, give them the way they had it spelled. I made the mistake of changing one misspelled word and not indicating where it was. The word was misspelled on purpose. As I've stated before, because of the work that I am doing, I have developed a greater appreciation for what the Authors do. An added benefit for all editor's is we get to see each chapter before everyone else. TalonRider

James, Thanks for that little poem. It made my day as it was on top of all my email this morning. Nothing like starting the day with a :D and a chuckle. TalonRider