DeJeL I know even though I am a budding author with issues when it comes to grammar,

Every successful writer uses editors. In fact, the really successful writers use several.

For that matter, a lot of writers have grammar issues. Editors are the ones who catch those grammar issues. If every author had perfect grammar and never made mistakes there wouldn't be a need for copy editors or proof editors. Or even proofreaders. In addition, the smart writer realizes that editors free up time for them to write more. This is even truer for writing serial fiction.

Speaking as a reader, when I'm reading a story—especially when it's not a translation— and the editing is subpar in the first few chapters, riddled with spelling and poor grammar, it's almost always dropped by me. I cut some slack when reading fan translations but even then I expect to see improvements as time goes by.

I recommend, at the very least, run your chapter through Grammarly to catch some of the simple mistakes that crop up. It doesn't catch everything, but it usually catches a couple dozen simple things in a chapter. Best of all it only takes 2 minutes to go through the chapter and make corrections.

      checkm8 Original authors don't get story ideas from Webnovel or Qidian if that is your idea.

      None of us are contracted or paid by Qidian, hence we don't have the money or power to pay for an editor or two.

      You are also not part of the inkstone discord so you don't even know how much or how little authors work by themselves or with each other to improve.

      You think people don't know about grammarly? Grammarly can't catch everything if you rely on it too much.

      You have to understand that not all original authors have English as their first or second language here. That is a reality.

      As original authors, we can only hope for some constructive criticism. But the unhelpful 1 star review can come our way, so we just have to work with it.

      Again, we can't blame you for wanting better quality work. But don't we all, or most of us, at least try to improve with every chapter.

      I don't think most authors are asking for pity publicity, but there are some so I also hate that.

      QI will 'possibly' work with an author who has a popular enough work, or a good enough working story concept. But no one has been awarded yet. So before you complain, I suggest you wait for that 'new type' of original author. The one that is contracted, and see what Qi has in story to better that type of author.

      My two cents.

      I mean, you could ask QI to have a checkbox for an author whether English is their "what" language. 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. It should be an indicator of their frequency of use for English. if that is one of the concerns you have. But that's not my recommendation, that's what I see as a way to address your concern.

          checkm8 I have not tried Grammarly due to the fact that someone tole me you have to download, using a public computer that does not allow downloads, Facebook, Discord, (the little-known) Myspace, or many other social media or chat sights. I'm honestly pleasantly surprised that webnovel is allowed.;,;. So trying to get an editor, unless I can do so w/o using the computer, is near impossible, and I haven't the funds to pay one, so it'd have to be volunteer... however, none the less, I am still looking for one.

              what 17 above typed have explained all of what i want to type, so i am leaving my trails here.

                17Sphynx17 wow apparently you are taking things a little personally when what I was stating was a general observation. But let me respond a bit to clarify things.

                17Sphynx17 Original authors don't get story ideas from Webnovel or Qidian if that is your idea.

                My mention of editing help by QI was in regards to how Qidian Editors works for contracted authors. They are there to assist authors with problems they may be having. The type of help Qidian Editors provide has been covered repeatedly within this form feel free to search. In no way is it meant to talk about uncontracted authors. To rephrase my first post: It is sink or swim for uncontracted authors. QI could care less whether you are successful or not. That's just reality.

                17Sphynx17 You are also not part of the inkstone discord so you don't even know how much or how little authors work by themselves or with each other to improve.

                While I am not part of the inkstone I have been editing a translation series and as well an original novel so I'm not coming from this completely blindly.

                17Sphynx17 You think people don't know about grammarly? Grammarly can't catch everything if you rely on it too much.

                Again, you clearly didn't read my whole post. Below is what I said about Grammarly:

                checkm8 It doesn't catch everything, but it usually catches a couple dozen simple things in a chapter.

                Again, this is from direct experience using it to assist as a final check before publishing a chapter to a website. Think of it as a final set of eyes to catch something that might otherwise have been overlooked that might be a distraction to the reader.

                17Sphynx17 You have to understand that not all original authors have English as their first or second language here. That is a reality.

                Even more of a reason to have some type of editing help. Why would you get frustrated/offended by a suggestion of having another person reviewing a written chapter? I'm astounded by how offended you seem to be that there is a suggestion to have others copyedit or proofedit/read chapters???? Shouldn't the goal of a writer to put out best work they can? Shouldn't they aim to improve? Shouldn't a writer strive for success??

                It comes across as if you feel editors are some type of enemy to writers. Which is ludicrous!

                17Sphynx17 As original authors, we can only hope for some constructive criticism. But the unhelpful 1 star review can come our way, so we just have to work with it.

                Again, apparently, someone offended you but it was not me. Just to be clear, I've never posted a 1-star review on yours or any other novel. If I don't like a story, I move on. It's as easy as that.

                17Sphynx17 I don't think most authors are asking for pity publicity, but there are some so I also hate that.

                Again, I have no idea what you are talking about with pity publicity.

                17Sphynx17 QI will 'possibly' work with an author who has a popular enough work, or a good enough working story concept. But no one has been awarded yet. So before you complain, I suggest you wait for that 'new type' of original author. The one that is contracted, and see what Qi has in story to better that type of author.

                Again, where was the complaining on my part?

                17Sphynx17 My two cents.

                You are past two-cents, at least up to a quarter :P

                17Sphynx17 I mean, you could ask QI to have a checkbox for an author whether English is their "what" language. 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. It should be an indicator of their frequency of use for English. if that is one of the concerns you have. B

                Again, why are you so antagonistic about a simple suggestion about having editors?

                More importantly, regardless of whether English is their first, second or third language (or fourth, fifth or sixth for that matter) isn't one goal of writing to improve their proficiency in the language? Why not strive for better quality? An editor can help the writer do that.

                17Sphynx17 But that's not my recommendation, that's what I see as a way to address your concern.

                Again, My concern? I still have no idea why you took everything so personally. My responses were only about QI and editing, as well as a direct response to another post.

                In regards to authors I'll leave it with what I said in my first post which you apparently didn't read:

                checkm8 As far as quality is concerned, it's long been apparent that QI could care less about quality. The onus is on the authors to ensure their novels reach a certain quality standard. QI does not provide any editorial services like Copy Editing or Proof Editing. They, at most, provide some high-level story ideas.

                                            DeJeL I have not tried Grammarly due to the fact that someone tole me you have to download, using a public computer that does not allow downloads, Facebook, Discord, (the little-known) Myspace, or many other social media or chat sights.

                                            Yeah, that can be tough! I've only used their Chrome extension which would be hard to use on a public computer.

                                            Their website (www.grammarly.com) has a place where you upload the document and Grammarly will scan it and you can see suggested corrections there. Note: I have not used it. But it seems a little more time intensive than the browser extension.

                                            It's a useful tool, but that's it. Like I mentioned it usually will catch a couple dozen little things that might have slipped by like missing commas, or hyphens, simple misspellings or singular/plural issues.

                                            Just to be clear, all of this is just a general observation/discussion and in no way a criticism of your work. I don't think I've read any of your works (But I read a lot so anything is possible).

                                                checkm8 Im not really offended. Couldnt care less. But some original authors are more impressionable by your statements.
                                                As i said, they dont have the money or time for an editor.
                                                Re youe grammarly post, we have worked with a few authors on inkstone discord who posted grammarly corrected chapters after he published it and got comments saying there were issues with his chapter. After checking, there were weird reports by grammarly as corrections he accepted.
                                                We are not paid, so we cant afford editors. Find a free one? Easier said than done. Rely on grammarly? How about people who are working with their native language to write then translating it to english before working with grammarly? Want a mtl? Thats what it would look like to native speakers of english.
                                                I wasnt being antagonistic. Was simply stating facts.

                                                  checkm8 my reply was in anger or complaint. I just tend to be blunt.
                                                  The way your post could sound to other authors who are not native english speakers is they need to get editors now to be like the successes. And not having it wont get them noticed by Q.I. thats one point.
                                                  Im not saying dont accept help, im saying you cant expect original authors to have editors on hand or willing readers to help them correct their chapters.
                                                  Those readers exists. I have them in mine and im grateful to them.
                                                  Re the pity publicity lost, im saying that there are a few lost authors who rely on pity to gain positive feedback eventhough underserved, as a way of patting themselves on the back for good work eventhough there is a lot of work to be done on what they have published. Do they really exist? Yes, those who rely on alts to review, comment and vote for themselves. They exist but not that many. And dealing with them is frustrating.
                                                  Re item about being contracted by QI. You said the limitation was for ideas and suggestions. Well, we dont know webnovel will do when they give out contract offers. It isnt out yet, as far as we know. So we dont know how far the 'editor' role extends in his reach.
                                                  Hope this clears up some misunderstandings.
                                                  I've said it before, wait for contracted original authors to become a thing.bit then we all, as readers, can see what the difference in output it reaches once it becomes contracted. What support the novel or author will realistically get from webnovel.

                                                      Grammarly also not omnipotent tools, to have correct sentences you must use the premium version. Basic grammarly only correcting basic mistakes like missing 's' commas and other tense mistakes.
                                                      Too bad I can't afford the premium ones 😥😥

                                                        Aside from Grammarly is there something else we can use? It's a bit difficult to get an editor, I've tried asking some of my friends but there are still some mistakes.

                                                          Editing is a different beast than writing and takes up valuable time you could be pumping out your next chapter. It's not that we authors recognize the value of editing and going over our chapters multiple times, but it is an exhausting process that not everyone enjoys. We already have our hands full trying to keep up a regular updating schedule. I do think that running a free spell checker like Microsoft Word or Grammarly should be a given, but you can't expect authors to spend too much time doing something that sometimes feel like you're sucking out your soul. The process of writing and editing are two connected but ultimately distinct areas of expertise. It's possible to be good at both of them, but in my opinion it's as rare as those dual cultivators that are seldom seen in cultivation novels.

                                                            Raysha Aside from Grammarly is there something else we can use?

                                                            Perhaps by providing advanced chapters to readers who are willing to assist.

                                                            Even regularly asking for current readers to suggest corrections will help. When they suggest corrections, take the time to make the corrections if they make sense. Communicate to the readers when you make correctoins—not individually but perhaps just in the chapter post. It will increase the appeal of your chapters for future readers.

                                                            Plus, take the time to learn about the suggestions. If you understand why they are making a suggestion it will increase your language proficiency.

                                                                Exlor I do think that running a free spell checker like Microsoft Word or Grammarly should be a given, but you can't expect authors to spend too much time doing something that sometimes feel like you're sucking out your soul.

                                                                I understand that editing isn't always fun, it can be tedious and it's a chore that can take thirty minutes or longer. But it's worth pointing out that lack of interest in a story or even frequent criticism about the quality of a story will make you "feel like you're sucking out your soul".

                                                                Another point, if a writer takes the time to edit their initial chapters they are more likely to find others who are excited about the story and are willing to edit for them. A little suffering at the onset of a web novel can pay dividends later and in turn, will allow the writer to focus on "pumping out your next chapter".

                                                                Third, if a writer takes the time to edit their novel it only becomes easier as times go by. Once a writer notices what mistakes they frequently make invariably they will notice common mistakes and correct them on the fly. Especially as they gain experience writing.

                                                                If a writer is really looking to progress as a writer, editing is a fundamental chore that should be learned. It's one of the best ways to improve a writer's language proficiency.

                                                                  SweetsTomato Too bad I can't afford the premium ones

                                                                  I know right! I haven't checked out the premium version. $29 bucks a month is rather steep. (Although it gets as cheap as $11.66 a month if you can afford the annual fee of $139.95).

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