harcallard

As I do editing, I am probably one of the kindest editor's around.. My editing style is simple.. I read a paragraph at a time and if I find any mistakes with grammar, sentence structure.. etc... I put the edited version of it in red under the original.. I think there is nothing wrong with pointing out grammatical errors to a writer. Heaven knows, I have and still make some mistakes in that aspect all the time..Then I look at the flow of the paragraph in relation to the whole story as a whole. Then I make suggestions if I think something is slowing the pace of the story down. However, it is merely a suggestion. It is true and I do agree, that in the end it, is the writer's work and should be how they want it to be. However, there are some general principles that all writers and editors must follow in regards to the basic of all writing. I have had a writer or two over the years say to me.."I want it this way don't change anything but check the grammar and spelling." I have even had one on an occasion send me a list of what they don't want changed.... This really set me of when I first started.. I was like.. well if you have a list of things you don't want changed then why have me edit at all. The relationship between a writer and their editor(s) is a very unique but yet complex one as well. As a writer, its your job to create a story people will want to read. As an Editor, it is your job to make that story the best around so a person will want to read it again and again. It is also a relationship which should be free of certain expectations. For example, as a writer who has written a story whose word count is 45,000, Is it realistic to have an editor, who is not a professional, finish it and back to them in say two or three days? If your the writer and you have a dead line to meet, then have a copy of it to your editor well in advance of the deadline. This makes it much easier for him or her to edit, and it will not add unnecessary stress upon them. After all, most people have jobs, families, and other obligations which help to take up most if not all of their time. A writer/editor relationship can be a rewarding experience. It does not have to be one which is stressful.

If you get to a point where you have run the preverbal brick wall, think about your character and where he or she is at in the story.. okay now if they are , lets say for instance, being held at gun point... what is the next thing they would do? would they try to run away? or would they try and fight the guy for the gun.. in this way you are thinking of news ways to take the story on to the next place you want it to go.... and hopefully you will have jumped the wall... I hope this may be of some help.

If your sitting next to a couple and they start making out, what do you do?

my favorite drink is Gin and Tonic with a lime. However, I do love a drink that contains slow Gin....I cant stand anything with whiskey in it.

I agree Lily...I know you are worried about your friend.., try no tot worry,and I Know that is easier said than done .. here is a big hug for ya and we are all here for you.

KC, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I did something I should have done along time ago.. I sat down and did a self-examination of the pool and things in my life. I took the advice which was given to me, and I cleaned house...I finally let go of the people and things which were only bringing me pain and sorrow. I wont lie it was one of the hardest things I have had to do in a long time. I sat down and just let it all out adn now I cna tel you that I feel so much better.. I am still sad... but I know it will pass.. Thank you all so much for the kind words and advice you all gave me... I hope everyone has a great weekend and an even better week ahead. "Keep a smile on your face and love in your heart"

I lost my mom to Cancer 6 years ago. Even though we knew she had it, it was still hard when she passed. I was close to my mom. I miss here every day that passes.. Yes, time does help, but I don't think that it will ever take away the empty feeling or loss I feel... I agree with comic, there will be times when you hear a certain song, watching tv, or doing whatever, and you will think of here and it will hurt. Yes, time does help, but I don't think that it will ever take away the empty feeling or loss I feel. It just makes it more bearable. Then this past year, I lost my dad as well. It really is a lonely feeling when both parents are gone. Just know that we are here for you KC. Joann... I can come over and do my strip tease act.. it is 100% guaranteed to clear the room, house or building Then your problem will be solved. I hope all of you have a great day and a wonderful weekend. If I have missed any one than I apologize in advance. "Keep A smile in on your face and love in your heart."

I am finally beginning to realize what you said.. and I will get there.. Thank you your advice.. it means a lot to me... hope all is well with you and yours....

I have a question for everyone..... When do you begin to realize its time to let go and move on? This question has been stuck in my head for sometime now and I have been turning it over and over in my mind. I actually had a great session this morning with my Dr. He is keeping on my current level of medication of which I am glad. He told me today I needed to learn to let things go.. he said to deal with them the best way I could and then let them go. I am slowly digging my way back out of the hole. I am so thankful to those who have endured my rantings, ravings, and venting. I thank you form the bottom of my heart. You will never know what it means to me. I hope you all have a great day and a wonderful weekend ahead. May you keep a smile on your face and love in your heart! Hugs and Love

Congratulations on your new addition to your family... As for me, I am still down and not quite where I want to be.. I do try and take each day and each thing that happens in stride.. Louis.. thanks your the man. I hope you all have a great day and it holds everything you are looking for from it hugs and love

I am glad you made it back from your trip safely Yettie and your right I need to stop worrying so much about others and tend to myself... and this is exactly what I have been doing.. so if I am not on here... so don't worry I am taking care of me.. I am finally going to take the time and learn to love me again, like I once did... I plan to be around so if any of you need a ear to listen, please don't hesitate to talk to me.. There are some things I want to say to each of you , but at this point in my life, and I don't mean to sound as if I am uncaring, because I am far from that.... It's just that I am so tired mentally and physically, that I can barely think to write this to you guys... I have an appointment to see a specialist for a sleep study two weeks from today.. I was so pissed when they called and I asked the lady who called me I asked her what was I suppose to do wait another two weeks of not being able to sleep before I get to see the Dr to have the study done. Her reply was that they may have someone who may cancel and then they could get me in.. but I am like saying to myself.. how is this going to help me right now. I also did some self examining today and finally found out part of the reason for my sadness and depression. I guess it boils down to what has always been with me ever since I can remember... is that I try to hard to get people to talk to me to to like me...So this is a big thing I am having to work on.... I have told many people about this and a few have even bawked at it or even made. Then part of me gets jealous as hell, and I am not ashamed to admit it, when I see some on here who get along better with each other on here than with me.. So this is another thing my Dr. suggested I try is to step back for a bit... but just once I would love to have someone who would be happy to see me come on and would actually be the one to start a conversation. I am not saying this to anger any one.... but this is just how I am feeling and have felt for awhile. I also need to learn how to stop being afraid to tell others how I feel.. I mean if some ting is bothering me , I bottle it up in stead of letting it out. It looks like I have some things to work on.. while I am away.. like I have already said I need to take this time to get to know me again... Some may say I am whinny, some may say I am even pathetic for feeling the way I feel... I have always said and believed that no one should ever feel sorry for feeling what you feel...' I hope you all have a great day and an even better week ahead. Hugs and Love

Wouldn't sheep on pizza be good?

It is also important for the author to remember not to place unrealistic time constraints on and editor...for example , if you have a story and its 100k words and several chapters in length, it is unrealistic to ask the editor to have in back to them in a day or two.. I mean if the editor is just checking style or flow.. this is one thing. If they have to check the other aspects of the writing, then it may take them a little bit longer.. I mean I do it for fun on the side. Most of us work and cant devote as much time as we would like into it.... My advice to writers who write long stories with many chapters....send your editor a few chapters at a time.. This will be helpful unless the writer is trying to meet a deadline for publication....

I agree if you do not like the way your story is being edited.. then by all means its your right as an author to find another editor...Furthermore, as a writer, you must also keep in mind an editor is there to give you advice on how somethings should be.. He or she can correct your grammar, punctuation, style issues, and keep your story from going in 5 different directions. It is your final decision wether or not you follow their suggestions. I see no problem with this as long as the editor does not change, in the course of doing this, the overall theme or idea the author is trying to present to their readers. As an author, it is always good to let your editor or potential editor know the flow you want in your story... if you change something... then let them know. Not only is it common courtesy, but it will also alleviate any potential problems down the

I have finally figured out what is going on with me and I need a few days to work through it... So this means that I wont be on as much as I have been lately.. well at least for awhile anyway..... I will be on from time to time.. I hope everyone has a good weekend and week ahead. Hugs and Love

oh yeah I don't find it funny at all.

I am still in a very off mood today. Then to top it off.. if I hear another young person say to me that they don't talk to people as old as I am one more time I am going ballistic.. should I worry about it.. no but they make it sound like anyone 35 and over have some incurable disease and they might catch it if they talk to us.. or that we are all old perverted people. Just venting hugs and love

I am really sad and down. I was in high spirits when i left two hours to go to the Dr's to finally get checked up and see if I can be left off of this restriction I have been on for the last month. Well apparently my ribs are not healing as fast as he would like to have them.. so this means I have to keep wearing this damn brace for another 2 weeks. Also my movements and actions are limited once again. I feel sorry for my bf who went with me.. Kalen has been trying his best to cheer me up since we left. I mean we had a good lunch, went to the park and watched the ducks and he is planning a nice dinner for us at home...but I am just sad and I Cant seem to shake it... and I am also taken back by people who seemed to have been missing the sympathy or empathy gene in their make up.. as long as it is not about them , they don't care... Sorry I am venting. It's better I am doing this now and not crying like I have been. I know that it is only for 2 more weeks, but it feels like its an other 2 months. I also know its my Dr. and bf want to make sure they heal right...but I have been restricted once again from extracurricular activities as well. I know you guys don't want to know that, but that is part of the reason I am sad and down. I hope everyone's day is turning out to be a good one...I need to go lie down for a bit. Hugs and love

Good Morning everyone.... I sat and thought for awhile after I re-read some of the postings in this forum. It has been a really good week... I am keeping my fingers crossed.. I came to the conclusion the other day that I have been dealing with to much negativity in my life over the last 20 years or so. It seems like I am a huge magnet for it.. well I have moved in the right direction in correcting this.. It has been hard for me because I have had to distance myself from a close friend of mine and I hold my friends very near and dear... but in reality its negativity and drama 24/7 Shelly.. nice to meet you and welcome... sorry I am a bit slow here lately Mark.....I hope thing are improving for you mate and I agree with Comic. It is a day to day thing. Joann.. I am so glad that you are here with us. It is always good to see you and to have you here supporting everyone. Comic...How is everything with you? I hope that your visit with yoru friend went well? I am still praying for you and our day and family.. Keep your head up!. Bee.. We are here for ya. Hope things get better for you soon. Yettie... How are you mate? I wanted to let you know that you and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everyone has a good day and an even better MOnday... I know it is a monday but it can be a good day like any other day.. It's back to the Drs for me.. Maybe he will say I can do some things once again...

MY thoughts and prayers are with you and your family wayne.. LOve and hugs

Right back at ya mate.. Hugs and Love

I was impressed and swept away by the opening ceremonies... You are very lucky to have been there

HEre is the biggest hug I can send ya .. hope all os well with you comic

I must say this one was very interesting!! Thanks for posting it Comicality...

Much of the stuff I have read about dreams dealing with sex does not involve actual sex....but hey its never bad to have one now and then:)