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Frustrated over Editors.

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Yeah it was explained. They didn't like the title. I read some of his stuff. He is okay. I wouldn't call great but that's just me. Apparently to you he is a great writer and that's all that matters. Keep reading and enjoying his stories. I have message in my box. And they are not the same person. The that declined a story because of the title was female.. I just found it ood that he would decline my story to the site yet want to read more of my stories.
I dont find that odd. You might have had things that if fixed would make your story better. Verifiying does not equal liking, trust me! Hence you can think something is a good story, while knowing it is not ready for publication. as a matter of fact I have a few like that right now
Quote by vines
Yeah it was explained. They didn't like the title. I read some of his stuff. He is okay. I wouldn't call great but that's just me. Apparently to you he is a great writer and that's all that matters. Keep reading and enjoying his stories. I have message in my box. And they are not the same person. The that declined a story because of the title was female.. I just found it ood that he would decline my story to the site yet want to read more of my stories.


We don't have a female story mod called Buz.

And we don't reject stories because we don't like them. If they're within the guidelines and of a sufficiently readable quality, that's all we ask.
Quote by Milik_Redman

... we are able to make minor edits to ensure that such things as spelling, punctuation and grammar are at an acceptable level of accuracy ...

Do you mean by what you have said that a verifier, (moderator), can change the spelling, punctuation or grammar of a story, and then post the story, without the author/submitter approving the change?
The thing was it was already published on the site. I changed a few things to the story because of a reader's suggestion. And like months after I made the changes I was told I needed to resubmit it because of the changes I made. I'm telling you the reason it was declined it don't make sense.
Charley is absolutely right. Good editing is about correcting spelling, cleaning up the punctuation, breaking up long sentences and paragraphs into something that is easy to read onscreen, which is very different from the printed page, making sure dialogue is properly punctuated and capitalised, and generally ensuring that the story flows well. It is also essential to make sure that any story does not break Lush guidelines on what is acceptable.

However, this should not be done in a way which alters the distictive style of the author. It is their story, and the editor's job is to help them present their work in the most favourable way, not impose their own personality or style. In the end, the author must be happy with the job the editor has done, and must authorise any changes.

I have done this job for a friend on a couple of occasions, unfortunately one of the stories in the category could not be altered to make it acceptable without totally destroying the underlying plot, although I have gone back to it from time to time to see what might be done. It is very satisfying to help another writer in this way.

I have also had some of my stories edited by the moderator, many of whom are listed among my friends. I have always been grateful for their help, which has meant that the story could be published without being referre d back for me to edit and resubmit.


Quote by Charley
Hi Cat, It's a difficult one, because a good edit can make all the difference to how well a story reads. But there's the point, "a good edit." If he/she is changing the sense and meaning of your stories, then I'd say that that's not good editing. All an editor should be doing is tidying up the style of your writing, not reworking the content. I know this because I edit material myself, and I know that it's a fine line between ruining someone's work and improving it. Only you can make the judgement as to whether your work has been improved by an edit. Cx
Quote by vines
Yeah it was explained. They didn't like the title. I read some of his stuff. He is okay. I wouldn't call great but that's just me. Apparently to you he is a great writer and that's all that matters. Keep reading and enjoying his stories. I have message in my box. And they are not the same person. The that declined a story because of the title was female.. I just found it ood that he would decline my story to the site yet want to read more of my stories.


I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Earlier, you stated that Buzz (Buz) rejected your title without explanation. Here, you say there was an explanation but that it was 'they didn't like it'?

Well, I can say absolutely that no story is returned because of our personal feelings about it. If indeed that happened, I should very much like to see the message.

Back to my confusion though. You now state that the person who returned it was female and not Buz? Hmm, then calling him out was a bit unfair, wouldn't you say? I'm glad you didn't repeat this with the other. It's most unkind to publicly out someone. Thank you for your restraint on the second
go round.

Oh, as for the talent level Buz has. His million views, multiple EP's and something north of a 4.95 average score on a large number of stories tend to back the opinion Liz holds of his abilities.

I apologize up front if I've misunderstood your post.
Quote by TraceEkies

Do you mean by what you have said that a verifier, (moderator), can change the spelling, punctuation or grammar of a story, and then post the story, without the author/submitter approving the change?


Yes, although with grammar we are talking about typos or very basic mistakes. We don't make a point of reorganizing or rewriting sentences, although I won't promise it's never happened.

You must remember to take this in context. We go through dozens of stories everyday. At least 40% are returned. The ones posted have either been through the system several times or were written well enough to have not needed correction. I personally, have never received a complaint from a writer due to a change I've made and I've verified hundreds. I've rejected hundreds more.
Quote by vines
The thing was it was already published on the site. I changed a few things to the story because of a reader's suggestion. And like months after I made the changes I was told I needed to resubmit it because of the changes I made. I'm telling you the reason it was declined it don't make sense.


Without specifics it's extremely difficult to comment on. However, our requirements have been tightening and the level of competency needed to be published has raised as well. Also, guidelines change from time to time.

I can only speculate that it was just such a change in policy that initiated the rejection.
Two different times. Two different people. I only have one stroy posted up. And yeah maybe he does have lots of views and what not. I only have two stories posted up. As far has his skill at telling a story. I don't know. Didnt seem very good to me. Do me a favor read Kisses in The Dark. It is the first story I ever wrote. Or 2nd store I wrote I can't remember. I wrote it +10 years ago. You'll understand why would want to read other stories of mine. I'm just on another level. And if my stories are good enough to find enjoyment out of reading then they should be allowed on the site.
Quote by vines
Two different times. Two different people. I only have one stroy posted up. And yeah maybe he does have lots of views and what not. I only have two stories posted up. As far has his skill at telling a story. I don't know. Didnt seem very good to me. Do me a favor read Kisses in The Dark. It is the first story I ever wrote. Or 2nd store I wrote I can't remember. I wrote it +10 years ago. You'll understand why would want to read other stories of mine. I'm just on another level. And if my stories are good enough to find enjoyment out of reading then they should be allowed on the site.


I will keep it in mind. Seriously though, we welcome your work. Having one sent back does not mean otherwise. Several of mine have been returned for various reasons over the years. Sometimes another set of eyes can be helpful. Moderation is here to watch the gates against unacceptable content, but we also pride ourselves in helping in any way we can. I'm that offer still stands for you today.

Something to think about.
Quote by Milik_Redman


Yes, although with grammar we are talking about typos or very basic mistakes. We don't make a point of reorganizing or rewriting sentences, although I won't promise it's never happened.

You must remember to take this in context. We go through dozens of stories everyday. At least 40% are returned. The ones posted have either been through the system several times or were written well enough to have not needed correction. I personally, have never received a complaint from a writer due to a change I've made and I've verified hundreds. I've rejected hundreds more.


Is there any way I can assure that I will see and have a chance to approve the altered version before it is posted?
Quote by TraceEkies


Is there any way I can assure that I will see and have a chance to approve the altered version before it is posted?


You could request that no changes be made in your authors notes, or request that the story be returned after any changes are made. The moderator would then likely just make suggestions.

In that case, your work would be pass or fail. The only draw back might be that it could seriously delay getting your story up and if multiple rejections do result, it would delay other writers works as yours would be absorbing valuable time. I would urge you to carefully proofread before submitting.
Quote by vines
Two different times. Two different people. I only have one stroy posted up. And yeah maybe he does have lots of views and what not. I only have two stories posted up. As far has his skill at telling a story. I don't know. Didnt seem very good to me. Do me a favor read Kisses in The Dark. It is the first story I ever wrote. Or 2nd store I wrote I can't remember. I wrote it +10 years ago. You'll understand why would want to read other stories of mine. I'm just on another level. And if my stories are good enough to find enjoyment out of reading then they should be allowed on the site.


Fair enough, Ive read Buz's work and cant remember ever reading yours. Your claim to be a better writer then Buz is a strong one, but I was willing to approach it with an open mind. So I followed your suggestion and read "kisses in the dark."

Here is my assessment of Kisses in the Dark: If this was posted now, it would be returned. I couldn't follow it. The POV changes from 1st person to third, to third person using "a man" and "a woman." It switches from past to present tenses with no continuity at all. All of this works to speed bump the reader, jarring them from what they are reading. Your punctuation is incorrectly formatted. But the worst sin to me is that your story is all tell, with no show.

Now to compare that to, say, Miss American Pornstar, is in fact on a different level. It is like comparing the work of a high school student with that of a grad student. Miss American Pornstar is meticulously edited for proper punctuation, correct verbage, and POV. And it shows me the story with lots of attention to detail.


Keep writing Mr. Vines, someday you too can approach the level Buz is at. Then maybe you will have more votes then 2 on your stories.
Quote by Milik_Redman

You could request that no changes be made in your authors notes, or request that the story be returned after any changes are made. The moderator would then likely just make suggestions.

In that case, your work would be pass or fail. The only draw back might be that it could seriously delay getting your story up and if multiple rejections do result, it would delay other writers works as yours would be absorbing valuable time. I would urge you to carefully proofread before submitting.

Thank you for your prompt answers and sage advice.

BTW: I have read your post on proper use of tense. It was an outstanding and easily understood explanation of an aspect of grammar that is so often misunderstood. I know I benefitted from it and I am sure others have and will. Thanks for your help.
How do I take down a story?
Quote by TraceEkies

Thank you for your prompt answers and sage advice.

BTW: I have read your post on proper use of tense. It was an outstanding and easily understood explanation of an aspect of grammar that is so often misunderstood. I know I benefitted from it and I am sure others have and will. Thanks for your help.


You are very welcome. And thank you too. I'm glad you found it useful.
Quote by vines
I had a story declined because the person that read it didn't like the title. I'm not bsing you. I had one Editors not give me any reason for why the story was declined. But said they liked the story and would like to read other stories of mine. And his name-o was B-u-z-z. I in so many words told Buzz he would not be able to write like me no matter how of my stories he read. I've had some some odd experiences with trying to post things. I told my dad about that and he urged me to stop giving away stories for free. I took his advice.


Buz is an excellent writer and moderator/story verifier. Pretty sure that he didn't reject your story without giving any reason, and also, pretty sure that you telling him "in so many words" that he "would not be able to write like [you]" rolled right off of his back. And you went running to your Daddy crying about the meanies at Lush not liking your "writing"? That action in and of itself speaks volumes. Grow up, get a copy of the APA Style Guide, and stop whining.
Want to spend some time wallowing in a Recommended Read? Pick one! Or two! Or seven!

Quote by Milik_Redman


Yes, although with grammar we are talking about typos or very basic mistakes. We don't make a point of reorganizing or rewriting sentences, although I won't promise it's never happened.

You must remember to take this in context. We go through dozens of stories everyday. At least 40% are returned. The ones posted have either been through the system several times or were written well enough to have not needed correction. I personally, have never received a complaint from a writer due to a change I've made and I've verified hundreds. I've rejected hundreds more.

40% are returned? Gosh, that is high!
The mods must get through an awful lot of reading.
Quote by vines
I just found it ood that he would decline my story to the site yet want to read more of my stories.


What one chooses to read and what is deemed compliant re: site guidelines are two separate things.
Quote by vines
Two different times. Two different people. I only have one stroy posted up. And yeah maybe he does have lots of views and what not. I only have two stories posted up. As far has his skill at telling a story. I don't know. Didnt seem very good to me. Do me a favor read Kisses in The Dark. It is the first story I ever wrote. Or 2nd store I wrote I can't remember. I wrote it +10 years ago. You'll understand why would want to read other stories of mine. I'm just on another level. And if my stories are good enough to find enjoyment out of reading then they should be allowed on the site.


Yes, you are on "another level". The narcissistic, deluded level.
Want to spend some time wallowing in a Recommended Read? Pick one! Or two! Or seven!

I'm not like you think I am. And I was talking to my dad because I wanted to get an outside opinion. My girlfriend thinks all my stuff is great so her opinion I can't trust. So I called my dad. He read the same buzz story I read. He said it was good but nothing compared my stories. And that's when he told me I shouldn't post things up for free. It is not helping me any as a writer. That is why called him. To get a point of view outside the situation.
I clearly I don't understand how one person can have so many people licking his dick. Everytime I say something it is like I get 10 people in my face, "he's the greatest.I want to have his baby." I just don't get it. Some guys have all the luck.
Quote by vines
I'm not like you think I am. And I was talking to my dad because I wanted to get an outside opinion. My girlfriend thinks all my stuff is great so her opinion I can't trust. So I called my dad. He read the same buzz story I read. He said it was good but nothing compared my stories. And that's when he told me I shouldn't post things up for free. It is not helping me any as a writer. That is why called him. To get a point of view outside the situation.
I clearly I don't understand how one person can have so many people licking his dick. Everytime I say something it is like I get 10 people in my face, "he's the greatest.I want to have his baby." I just don't get it. Some guys have all the luck.


You know, when I was a mod, I verified one of your stories. I worked VERY hard to bring it up to standard, made minor corrections to whatever errors I may have noticed at the time and passed it for publication on the site. If I hadn't done so, it would have been bounced back to you. I don't recall any complaints at the time from you.

I can confirm that buz is an excellent mod, a fair mod and generally good guy (not to mention an excellent writer). I do seem to recall you bombing some of his stories after a previous altercation in a thread, along with sprite and saga. I noticed that your comments were unfair and petty.

With regard to a mod liking a title? Well, it would not be rejected simply for that, that's not to say that the verifier might suggest changing it if they thought it might improve your story.

Mods are under no obligation to verify any story they choose not to, so if they didn't like it for whatever reason, they can simply choose not to be the one to verify it (some mods prefer not to verify certain genres or whatever)

Honestly, I think you're being very unfair to staff (including myself in the past) who donate their time to help the site and the authors.

I also think that if you can find someone who's willing to pay for your stories, then you should do that, however, lush is an excellent, free test market for any aspiring author and as a writer myself, I'm very grateful for the opportunity to do that.
I remember. It wasn't a story it was a poem. Confession of a Jealous Man. I wasn't going to change the formating. I'm sorry you felt that it was boring. So I said to you then and I'll say it again to you now: I guess it won't be on this site.
Quote by vines
I remember. It wasn't a story it was a poem. Confession of a Jealous Man. I wasn't going to change the formating. I'm sorry you felt that it was boring. So I said to you then and I'll say it again to you now: I guess it won't be on this site.


Nope, I'm pretty certain it was this one...

http://www.lushstories.com/stories/first-time/tempers-of-war-and-love.aspx

I am pretty certain I never said it was boring, but it was challenging to verify.
Quote by vines
I had a story declined because the person that read it didn't like the title. I'm not bsing you. I had one Editors not give me any reason for why the story was declined. But said they liked the story and would like to read other stories of mine. And his name-o was B-u-z-z. I in so many words told Buzz he would not be able to write like me no matter how of my stories he read. I've had some some odd experiences with trying to post things. I told my dad about that and he urged me to stop giving away stories for free. I took his advice.


Well Vines this is up front and to your face, I have never rejected a story because I did not like it and have never said that in a rejection. I did not say that to you. I would appreciate you being truthful with your Forum posts. All stories are rejected for either rules violations, poor grammar, sentence structure, misspellings, or other grammatical errors. Which was true in your case.

From reading your opinions and feelings I strongly suggest you, your girlfriend, and your dad, invest in creating a site more in keeping with your particular standards. I'll alert Wall Street as I know investors will be breaking doors down to purchase stock in that.

Have a nice day!
Quote by dpw

40% are returned? Gosh, that is high!
The mods must get through an awful lot of reading.


It really is. When I first became a mod, I was literally shocked by what I saw and how difficult it was. I told Nicola going in that I had a thick skin in regards to content. Hell, man. That was like Luke Skywalker saying he was ready for anything. I had no freaking idea.

That's the same story any mod will tell you. After two years, I've recused myself from the que and only work as an advisor. I just couldn't take it anymore.

It's a rewarding job and I love helping new writers, but there is so much muck to wade through that it took me away from my own writing.
Quote by Metilda


Eep! NO! Editors are not supposed to rewrite your work. They're supposed to point out your errors and may give you suggestions to sort out issues. (Like: maybe this would be better up here, maybe you could use another different word here?)

Editors - good editors, like pro editors for pub companies - do not o this. They shouldn't anyway.

I know your friend meant well, just don't take it personally because she/he didn't know to not alter your writing. You can compare sentence structure and alter your original work with a new perspective or open mind.

When people try to be helpful and they're really not just say thank you - let it just glance off of you like you're a rain slick.

At the same time some people don't understand this about editin and when I edit for free they WANT me to tinker and rewrite. Nope - I won't. Their work, they do it, I just point out issues.


Very good suggestions Metilda. If I offend you with the use of your quote as an example of what I'm talking about I abjectly apologize in advance. Feel free to smack me up-side my head too if you feel it necessary.

Never change another's work unless they tell you to. Edit it like the pros do with strike-outs and suggestions that the author can use or not use at their choice.

I proff for a daughter that has 4 Steam Punk books published. When she asked me it scared the crap out of me and it took several back-and-forths for her to assure me that what I suggested wouldn't bother her. I'd read an anecdote years ago about a brother reviewing a work for his sister and with no intention to hurt her stopped her desire to write. He said it had been good but needed word changes and he changed to much. She never wrote again.

I use Word with Track Changes turned on and she can pick and choose what to keep. I can't do that on this IPad.

Nicola: be very assured that this is one of the top sites on the net. You keep it tight and professional but allow tremendous freedom of movement for us struggling authors. An occasional admonition and spanking is well appreciated too as it helps us become more human and socially acceptable. I've been rejected several times and spanked twice and I appreciate every bit of it. I have never felt anything but respect and a desire to help from any of the moderators and staff.

Thank all of you, and you, Nicola, for all of this!

Katie: that was a silly thing for them to do. Rewrite it the way you want and tell them that's how it's supposed to be, then re-submit. "Some people forget about idiomatic phrases and can't help replacing things. I do that in my mind but only tell about it when I'm asked to. I helped 25 or so soviet scientists at the Black Metals institute in Moscow with changing from British to American when they gave papers in the US. It was hard for them to understand that there was a difference in the way we hear it. I also helped some do that for papers to be given in London.

Don't let it bother you but insist on your words. You'll have to develop some callouses for that

I completely appreciate being told where I screwed it up, that's the way I learn to not screw it up again. I had one story accepted then got a comment from another moderator that said she'd have rejected it. Then she said it was basically a good story. I hope I thanked her profusely enough for that truly honest help. I'll have to go check that.

Are there differences in what gets accepted or rejected between moderators? Absolutely, and there's no way to get rid of it so just get used to it. I produced thousands of pages of documents when I worked military consulting. The documentation, one copy of each page for all docs to produce the Sea Wolf submarine outweighed the first boat built. One reviewer would reject one doc and when we resubmitted another reviewer would reject it for another reason. They stopped that when we billed them for the recursion of changes.



Enjoy and stay safe.
I am always a gentleman.
Quote by vines
I remember. It wasn't a story it was a poem. Confession of a Jealous Man. I wasn't going to change the formating. I'm sorry you felt that it was boring. So I said to you then and I'll say it again to you now: I guess it won't be on this site.


O.o

If the writing in your posts here in any way reflects the skill you show in writing stories then you should check yourself a little bit before lashing out with additional criticism.
I don't know of any of us rewriting anyone's stories. We certainly don't have time for that. Verifying is a volunteer job. We have our own stories to write and we enjoy reading stories by friends and quality authors, as well as have another life outside Lush. We have NO interest whatsoever in rewriting anyone's stories. If your story needs rewriting feel assured we will send it back to you to do that.

If we are feeling generous we might make just a very few minor edits to punctuation or correct a misspelled word, maybe even split up a run on sentence. We are not interested in changing or altering a story. Who would have the time to waste doing that?
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