IMPORTANT: Scratches Across the Record [UPDATE] · 5:15am Jul 11th, 2012
First of, I'm going to come straight out apologize to everyone who has been waiting for more updates. I realize that most of you will likely be asking yourselves why I am apologizing, so let me explain: I am not apologizing because you're going to have to wait a month like last time, but because I am about to embark on the task of a restart/rewrite of Scratches Across the Record.
I recently received my email reply from my submission to EQD's fanfiction section, not realizing just how seriously they took it. No, my story did not get trashed or anything (these people are professional, and thus, they offer real criticism), but I was turned down because my writing was not quite up to snuff. I agree with them; I know now that my writing needs more work, especially if I'm supposedly taking it seriously.
Now, I know someone people would say things like "But it's just fanfiction", however, this story has grown on me since I started it. SAtR is now a story that I care about enough to do a rewrite, and I normally avoid rewrites for a lack of interest. Some people might just call this fanfiction, but I want this to be a story that I could switch out all of the pony references to be a real life story, and be confident enough to send it to a publisher.
Starting tomorrow, I'm putting my serious-hat on (yes, I see how it sounds a little foolish when I make such a silly remark to mean something serious) and taking a crack at this ol' story of mine.
I'm looking for people who have some real writing/editing experience to help me edit this; I want to run through this story with a fine-toothed comb and polish it out until I can see my reflection in it. Anyone willing to help me, please message me about this, and thank you in advance to anyone that does so.
I know you're not likely to ever see this, but: Thank you, Pre-reader NW, thank you very much.
And thank you everyone who's liked, commented, and fav'd/tracked the story so far: you've all encouraged me to write more and take the story to where it is now. So, for you, and, of course, for me... look forward to the new and improve Scratches Across the Record.
I'm taking this to mean that you won't be continuing the story till you've gotten caught up with your rewrite?
an unfortunate consequence, but I understand wanting something this awesome to be the best it can be, so good luck! I can't wait to see what comes next and what "should" have happened already
and if you don't get any more bites on the prereader/editor bit, I have no experience yet, but there's a first time for everything, eh?
All i have to my name is a horrifyingly expansive vocabulary, a solid grasp on grammar, and a 150 word prologue that i have yet to actually post, so i understand if you're leery of taking me up on the offer
I understand wanting to rewrite it and make it perfect but your going to do this while leaving the story on a fucking cliffhanger! Man at least release a little something first so were not just fucking twirling our thumbs. Were going to be wondering forever what the hell is going to happen next! (and i know that twirling is probobly not the right word but you know what i am saying i dont give a fuck if its the right word or not)
I Just saw this, And I am sorry that I was unable to help more
. Let me know if you still want my help. I would be More than happy to. 
225576 Yeah, that's how it's going to be, unfortunately.
Well, once I've gotten a chapter of the revised version done, I might message you about it, depending on how my editing roster looks.
225623 I understand your frustration, and it pains me to leave it like this for the people that have been enjoying it and waiting for more, but you've got to understand my side of it: If I keep writing it just to not leave it at a cliffhanger, I'm just delaying working on the better version, and keeping myself stuck in half-assed (well, semi-half-assed) writing mode, which will only hurt the writing. Again, I apologize for how this affects you and other readers, but I do feel that my decision is the right one here.
225640 Nah, don't worry, it's mostly my fault for not telling you I wanted more from you. I'm still going to need editors, so I'll be talking to you again once I've got the work for you.
Ah. I see. Well, I'll take this opportunity to offer my editing services. You can check over my work with "even farther from home" by techwolf. I was the one and only editor, so that is my work at it's finest. I really hope you'll take me up on it, because damn, do I ever love this story.... Anyway, if you don't, that's fine, but here's hoping that you do. Ask techwolf, I return them quickly and well done, and I can include criticisms of any problems you may have, spelling, paragraphing, run on sentences, etc., or just edit and send it back, no questions asked. Hell, if you want me to just be the spit polisher or the rough editor before passing it on to someone else, that works fine too. Anything to get in on this... XD
247431 Well, I'd definitely be glad to take someone who would be legitimately excited to, so consider yourself on board!
225576 225623 247431
Alright, so this is for the three of your that I'm currently viewing as my editors; I wanted you all to know now what I'm planning for editing on this.
What my ideal (preferred) method is:
1) I'll write the chapter
2) The chapter will be sent to all of you unedited (except for my own minor editing)
3) I'll do all the edits (that I feel need to be done)
4) The edited chapter will be send out to all of you again
5) If the chapter comes back with little to no more edits/corrections/suggestions, then it will be considered done
5b) If there is more edits, the process will be repeated until 5 where there are little to no edits coming back
What I could live with:
1) I'll write the chapter
2) The chapter will be sent to all of you unedited (except for my own minor editing)
3) I'll do all the edits (that I feel need to be done)
4) One of you, if you wish to, could take a second look
5) Done?
I'd obviously prefer to have the more extensive editing done, but I can understand if it feels like a bit much for some fanfiction.
248602
sounds like a good plan
bit of a heads up though, my communication will be sparse at best till the 12th, going camping and internet will be...well, let's call it 'difficult to acquire'
in any case, how would you prefer to send/receive everything?
248602>>248602 hmmm... Well with my new pony vs pony thing, I'll do what I can, but a good idea is to just give it to one editor, get him to do the brunt of the editing, maybe in turns between the three of us, then send it to the next to polish it. This way you have 3 layers of editing and you don't has to do a thing and just take the last version.
248648 Alright, well I'm currently involved in other projects, so I'm steam-rushing SatR and you it likely that I won't even be needing any editing before then; of course, I might, but I'm just saying it's looking unlikely at the moment.
E-mail is usually how I do things, but I hear there's some way you can let certain people on the site view stories/chapters when they're unpublished--this is an intriguing and useful option, if it truly exists, so I'll do some research on that.
249669 That's a completely valid system too, I just suggested my multiple part 'use everyone multiple times' one because it felt just a tad more involved than it needed to be, and therefore very thorough.
So I might end up doing that, we'll see how things go.
250502
well i know there's a password option to look at a story that has yet to be approved, but not unpublished; that's in the edit screen, but I'm not sure that's the same thing
either way, I'll PM you my email, and if we find a more convenient way of doing things, so be it