I’m learning there are two different kinds of editing.
Okay, there are many kinds of editing, the two this post and about which I’m learning are technical and structural.
Technical editing is what I do with most things sent to me for publication, evaluation, or suggestions. The piece has composition problems; passive voice, Toing and Froing, compound tenses, and other basic things one should’ve learned in basic composition classes (which they probably don’t teach any more).
Structural editing is when the composition is solid but the story’s got craft issues; shifting POV without proper signalling, inactive attributions, unnecessary characters, muddled plotline or timeline or throughline, … These are things which come with practice, learning, training, and hopefully a combination of all three.
I mention The Absolute Limit of Sound and Labyrinth as examples. Sadly, only Labyrinth is documented on my blog.
I also mention reviewing Letters to Donna, something I wrote long ago and how I’m learning (again) to separate technical from structural edits.
It’s worth noting that I’m doing here is essentially a StoryTelling critique or edit. Basically I perform two levels of editing on both my own work and the work of others; Storytelling and StoryCrafting critique, although the latter is more an analysis. StoryCrafting occurs once a story is technically sound.
It’s also worth noting I’ve been doing these all along, didn’t realize it the way I explain here, and that’s what education is all about, isn’t it?
Enjoy.
Think I’m onto something? Take a class with me, schedule a critique of your work, or buy me a coffee.
Think I’m an idiot? Let me know in a comment.
Either way, we’ll both learn something.
Get copies of my books because it’s a nice thing to do, you care, you can follow along, and I need the money. My latest is my trauma recovery fantasy Chrysalis.
Wilderness House Literary Review EIC Steve Glines and I (Senior Fiction Editor) hold monthly open chats with authors interested in a) writing for us, b) improving their craft in general, and/or c) increasing their chances of being accepted by other markets.
Meetings are held via Zoom on the last Friday of each month from 9-10amET.
So, want to know how to write for us? Want to know what gets our attention? Want to know how to write better for whatever market you’re interested in? Join us for our next “Meet the Editors” Zoom session. Seats limited! Sign up and talk with us. We’re relatively easy going and fun to be with.
Last item, finding these experiments useful? Strengthen my ego and link/friend/follow me.
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