who edits your writing?

[shanna-cat]

I am very nearly done with one novel and am working on another. though i am not even sure that i want to attempt to publish yet i am curious who helps read/edit your writing? my dh wants nothing to do with reading my unfinished work (not because he wont like it but because he thinks he will be too harsh of a critic...) and the only other person who even knows that i am writing novels is my 18 year old sister.
do people here belong to local writing groups in their areas? or do you just go at it on your own? i would really be interested to hear another persons take on my work so far and get some feedback but don't know really where to turn.
thanks!

[midnightwriter]

I agree that it is absolutely essential to have someone else read your work.
I've beloned to Zoetrope.com (mostly workshopping short stories and flash) for about 5 years, and in the process I've become friends with several writers who are in a similar boat / same level. We trade reviews.

I also met writers who do this kind of editing professionally, and I've hired different people from time to time to give me feedback. Someone hired me out of the blue, based on the reviews I gave him on his short stories on Zoetrope, because he didn't have time to reciprocate. But mostly it is reciprocation.

If you are interested, I can give you the name of two writers I worked with, who edited my works, and both were awesome.

I think family members and friends are tricky. DH won't read my work either, as he is not a fan of literary fiction. My friends all said they loved it. (love my friends) but yeah, it is a great boost, but it wasn't "editing." ANd I think I lost a friend over editing her works.

Ania

[Aufilia]

I'm a member of a writing group (local, in-person), and nearly all my work goes through them when I'm ready to have it read. If I feel like I would like second reading after I've done a first editing pass (usually only if I've made major structural changes), I have a few buddies outside my group who I can call upon. Most of those people are friends who used to be in the group, or who I did a workshop with at some point.

My DH does not read my writing either, though he and my parents have both said they are eager to read the story I sold a few months ago when it is published.