My day job sucks sometimes. I’ve been there for five years, now, and I have stagnated. I don’t use any of the skills I take pride in, it’s not helping me grow as a person- if anything, it’s wearing me down and making me cynical and apathetic, a fact I am ashamed of, and on top of that, I’m not even particularly good at it.
I’ve been thinking of ways to leave for about two years, now, but haven’t ever actually taken a step towards anything concrete. I’m taking that first baby step today.
I’d like to become a freelance editor. I think it is an achievable goal for me, but it’s not something I can break into without some preparation.
In order to convince people to hire me, I’ll need samples of my editing work, and there’s the rub: I have nothing to show. I don’t remember the last time I edited something important for someone, beyond beta-reading fanfiction for close friends (who don’t need my help because they’re just that good, honestly) and correcting and clarifying my supervisor’s error-filled policy memos, which I’m sure I couldn’t use for samples, anyway.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Before I even get started networking and finding pieces that writers will let me use as samples, I need to quash that final bit of doubt that accompanies dipping one’s toes into a potential new career; I want to be certain that editing is what I want to do, and that I’m well-suited for it.
For a month, or a few months, or however long it takes me to figure out how I work, and how long editing a given project takes me, I’d like to edit whatever you’ve got to throw at me. Fanfiction, original fiction, essays, cover letters- anything. For free!
Now, this might be a horrible mistake and there’s a nonzero chance I’ll become overwhelmed, but for the time being, I’d really appreciate it if you all could boost this a bit. Or, you know, give me a shout if you’re interested!
You can contact me through tumblr messenger, Discord (jerjj#5530), or at eyydee.write@gmail.com and we can chat about the scope of your project and what level of editing you’re interested in.
(e.g. basic level: proofreading for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting
intermediate level: suggesting changes relevant to transitions, flow, phrasing, and diction to add clarity and nuance while maintaining the author’s voice
advanced level: addressing broader concerns such as pacing and execution of the work’s intent or themes)
Anyway, thanks for reading my plug here, and I hope you’ll keep me in mind the next time you need someone to look over your draft!
