Editor questions- and a side question for Tolkien folks about Elves and horses

[thrihyrne]

I've realized that I get almost as giddy when someone I've beta'ed for posts a fic and lists me as a beta (usually myself and someone else; two sets of eyes are always better than one!) and writes that I was astute, perceptive, or something similar, as I do when I receive reviews for my own stories that laud the story and/or my wordcraft. I really love editing. I seem to be pretty good at it. It would be really cool to earn money for writing, especially writing gay erotica with plot. Or just plotty stuff with gay sex as part of it. But I still think I'd enjoy doing that on the side, at my own pace, and being paid to edit fiction. Especially reading good authors. I finished reading I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb and cried. I don't do that very often, and it wasn't because it was the most gorgeously written book in the world, nor the most innovative and heart-wrenching (I sobbed the last few pages of His Dark Materials); it was because I really felt for the main character, and I really admired Lamb's clean prose and the overarching story. I think I could be a helpful editor for writers, and would love to do that, but there don't seem to be degree programs in editing. Am I missing something? Do you have to simply get into it somehow, and then people get your name out there? Or do you pay your penance at a newspaper or magazine or something and then segue into fiction?


I'm writing on my Gimlific and need to find my copy of The Hobbit, but I have a question about Elves and horses: obviously they ride them, because Glorfindel (Elf Not Appearing In The Peter Jackson Films) shows up on one, and I think back in the First and Second Ages I'm sure they're on horses. Elrond's twin sons I assume ride when scouting out with Aragorn while the hobbits and Gimli hang out at the Last Homely House. But how about the Elves up in Mirkwood? I don't have the sense that they're keen equestrians. I'm speculating; I've not gone looking for any information. I'm just working on this most recent Gimlific and Legolas hops up merrily on Arod when Éomer offers him up, but I think Gimli might wonder how on earth Legolas knows how to ride, given that Gimli (to my mind) fought in the Battle of Five Armies and the Mirkwood Elves showed up on foot... I think. Thoughts?

Comments

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

You are the best beta, as you combine the technical/grammatical with encouragement. Hell, you know what I think care of TQP, lol. I think you would either have to have a journalism degree with a very strong background in English, or vice versa.

Thank you for that; I do like to be both encouraging as well as instructive. Excellent thoughts on the editing part. I'll need to start doing some serious investigating over time.