Wanted: Inquisitor · 6:48pm Oct 28th, 2012
So I'm a pretty good writer.
You may also notice that I realize this. Now, before you all turn and walk away in a huff...
Let's call it like it is, shall we? I'm a damn fine writer. I've got more flair than a European fashion show, and a lexicon that the Oxford Dictionary nods at. Also I just ended that sentence with a preposition. Like a boss.
The point of this entirely modest admission is that while I'm a good writer - and this is one of the main things that makes a good writer - I know my work isn't perfect out of the box. Objective perspectives can and will improve any writing, even that which is 'born with a silver spoon in its mouth', like mine is at times (though obviously not always).
Typically, I'm happy with my work only getting an objective read-through for things like obvious pacing, left-field omissions of detail, characters suddenly being crazy, me going from simple past to present-progressive...things like that. However, there is currently one story I have waiting to be posted that basically just needs a good review. Typically I can do this myself if I need to, in no small part because I do spoken read-throughs of all my work (which is a wonder for catching errors).
The problem is I've read through and pored over this story of mine twice, and I can't find anything wrong with it. There's something, but I can't see it. This is a relatively new thing; perhaps I'm no longer satisfied with my usual standard of quality, now that I'm publishing? *shrug*
As such, I'm looking for an Inquisitor. Someone who will take my work, and absolutely tear it to tattered shreds. Someone who will beat it relentlessly, until nothing remains but wet chunks of flesh between the floorboards.
It would begin with this one story, but ideally, said Inquisitor would be able to massacre just about everything I write here. I'll still take temporary whips, though.
Any takers? If you (or someone you know!) is interested in taking my (smarmy and self-righteous) confidence in writing to the morgue, please either comment, or drop me a message. Any examples of your own work, and/or any previous editing / dream-killing experience is an asset, but not a necessity.
Also, bonus points if you're Spanish. I wouldn't expect that.
Cheers!
Hehe, this is the kind of thing I'd volunteer for, but I'm not at ALL as mean as you'd want me to be. Sorry. But good luck finding someone!
Okay, given your word choice, inquisitor, that is a person holding office in the role of inquisition, let me see if what you are looking for is what I think you're looking for.
You want somebody to read your works, not for grammatical or technical purposes, but for ... thematic purposes? I.E. You want someone to read your stories to see if they convey some deep truth held by yourself. In other words, you want someone to question the very moral contents of what you write?
If so, I volunteer. Also if so, I can hear clanging whenever you walk.
If not, well heck, what is it you want? Someone to pick apart the grammar and technicalities with absolute brutishness? That's less of my strong suit.
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I'm looking for both, really. When I say inquisitor, I mean someone who will unhesitatingly and viciously question every aspect of my writing. It's gotta be ripped apart to get put back together better.
So if you're interested, feel free to drop me a private message. If you have Skype, that's also very handy, but I can work around it if not.
Yes, yes, I'm digging through your stuff instead of reading more chapters (or (1) working on graduate projects or (2) my own writing).
Let me know if you're still looking. Also, I am not Spanish.
887125 “Somepony has a faaaaaan,” Luna giggled in a singsong voice.
This is what immediately popped into my head. Somepony in this case being me, as opposed to Twilight Sparkle in Cry for Eternity, whence I shamelessly lifted that quote (it's pretty good).
I did end up finding an inquisitor, but that doesn't strictly mean I'm not looking for more staff. I shall take it under advisement.
887142
Yes, yes...
Well, I'm following eight writers, of whom I've only verified that three and a half actually write stories I like (the others being followed for blog posts or other general helpfulness, and Device Heretic only getting a half point because while Eternal was good, my God but that prose could have been tightened up). Of the ones worth reading I've already sucked two of them into a new pre-reading guild of doom (which Ghost has dubbed the Diminutive Equine Fiction Interdisciplinary Research Institute, DEFIRI for short), and I'll unashamedly admit I'd like the full set. So when I saw you'd put out a call for just the sort of service I provide (never mind that it was four months ago) it seemed like something to which I ought to reply.
Curse my unseemly enthusiasm! But yes, I really like
her maneyour work.887175 Oh, no, don't curse your enthusiasm. Embrace it. Never be ashamed of what you like. And besides, I understand completely! I'm rather taken with my work, myself.
And oh my. There's an institute? Well that changes everything! I'm all for institutionalization.