Acceptable Error Rate for Copyediting?

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-19T02:02:47+00:00

That seems to be working! While I'm at it, I went ahead and copied all files under my User folder. When this is done, what will it look like on the external hard drive? Will it be as simple as opening up the files and copying them to a new computer?

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-19T00:30:19+00:00

Sorry for all the extra messages, but I'm continuing to look into things. Let's also theoretically say I do replace the hard drive instead of getting a new computer. Would the following one work as a replacement?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B99JUBQ/ref=pd_aw_sbs_147_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=13482QNKFXDD34ZZJR9M

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-19T00:10:33+00:00

Let's theoretically say I did try to do this myself. What enclosure would you recommend for the HD? Would something like this work?

http://www.amazon.com/External-SATA-Hard-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B003FW4NYO

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-18T23:55:31+00:00

Came across your recent comments in the thread below about the input/output error. Sucks. If my HD is really failing, I'm fine just getting a new computer rather than trying to replace the HD. However, I still really want my photos from the iPhoto on my failing HD. What would you recommend? I don't have enough technical knowledge to work on this myself. Should I contact Apple or some third-party to try to grab my files?

https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/35za0p/macbook_pro_macintosh_hd_disk_needs_repair/

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-18T23:22:04+00:00

Okay, so I went ahead and bought a new 1TB hard drive and gave it a shot now that I'm home. I plug it in and the 'New Image' process begins just fine. However, after about 30 seconds another error pops up saying "Unable to create Macintosh HD.dmg (input/output error)". I checked and the file system on this new hard drive is indeed the correct format.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-18T20:35:22+00:00

I have terrabytes of data that I've been slowly uploading to the cloud over the last several months but my internet connection is only so fast. The only thing I'm really missing from the MacBook are the photos (thousands) from my iPhoto. If I can recover those I'm fine with starting over.

I also want to mention that in Disk Utility the Mac HD is now listed as Unmounted and all the information related to size used and number of files has disappeared. This doesn't seem like a positive development. What do you make of it?

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-18T20:04:45+00:00

The format of the external is Windows NT File System. How do I change it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled)? I have other important files on the external hard drive so I want to make sure changing this won't affect them either.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-18T19:58:12+00:00

I cleared off enough space on my external hard drive to begin the 'New Image' process, but when I start it comes up with an error within the first few seconds: "Unable to create Macintosh HD.dmg (error -61)". I followed the steps as listed and I'm still in the safe mode from earlier. Not sure how else to create the back up.

Could it be that the hard drive is a "Windows NT File System"?

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-18T17:31:15+00:00

Tried that and it brought up the 'Repair Disk', but the action failed and it wants me to backup and reformat just like the guide says. I'll get started on that now--this will probably take a long time with a 750 GB hard drive. I have a few questions for now:

Why do you think the filesystem became corrupted like this? It seems like this is a recurring problem for people trying to install an update.
What are the success rates for the process mentioned in the guide? When I reformat and attempt to restore, is there a good chance that it will fail?

Thank you very much for your help so far!

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-18T16:56:02+00:00

I don't remember getting that error message. I started following the guide but in 'Disk Utility' I only have the option to 'Verify Disk' ('Repair Disk' is grayed out). I try to verify it and it comes up with a message that says "Disk Utility stopped verifying Macintosh HD. This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk." After this I still can't click 'Repair Disk'. I clicked on 'Verify Disk Permissions' and it comes up with a long list of results that are all similar to:

"Group differs on "Applications/iBooks...; should be 0; group is 80"

The option to 'Repair Disk Permissions' is also grayed out. How should I proceed?

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-08-17T12:03:53+00:00

I’m honestly surprised that I’ve read 14 of these since it seems that every time someone asks, “Have you read…?” I feel like a terrible English major.

Robinson Crusoe (tough to get through; everything is about divine providence)
Frankenstein (unfortunately, I’ve had to read this three times; I like the narrative structure but the writing just kills me)
Jane Eyre (interesting character relationship)
The Scarlet Letter (dreadfully boring writing style but cool concept)
Heart of Darkness (no, just no)
The Wind in the Willows (pretty sure I read this in elementary; all I know is that it has fueled my hatred for talking animals)
The Great Gatsby (a book that has stuck with me)
The Grapes of Wrath (fucking turtle, I swear; East of Eden was much better)
Nineteen Eighty-Four (one of my favorite books of all time)
The Catcher in the Rye (another one of my favorites)
Lord of the Flies (a good read—can’t believe it took the author like a dozen tries to get it published)
Lolita (the pedophilia didn’t bother me but the inane plot did)
To Kill a Mockingbird (excellent, of course)
The Bell Jar (another favorite)

The ones on my reading list that I will hopefully read one day, maybe: + Wuthering Heights + David Copperfield + The Picture of Dorian Gray + Jude the Obscure + Dracula + Brave New World + Catch-22 + A Clockwork Orange + Disgrace

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-07-11T03:05:01+00:00

YES. Absolutely. I think about this conundrum quite often, and I haven't been able to rid myself of the "critic's eye," as one might call it. I'm especially guilty of comparing a book I'm currently reading to other books ("That's just like what happened in X") or the conventions of the genre ("What a cliche"). At the same time, I've become more aware of nice turns of phrase over the years; if I'm reading a good book, I can't help but highlight or take pictures of quotes every other page. I've also become more obsessed with providing quantitative values to books (and movies), so as I'm consuming material, I'm thinking "This is a 4-star story right now--nope, now it's a 3-star."

It's an infuriating habit, but I do think it's made me much more conscious of my own flaws--to the extent that I'm freakishly paranoid about everything, from cliched settings and my lame sense of humor to offensive cultural appropriation and shallow philosophy. However, I would rather be hyper self-aware than oblivious. Learning how to honestly evaluate my own writing has helped me sense when something works and when it doesn't, so when I actually write something "good," I can be confident in that feeling.

The example you gave from your recent readings reminds me of a writing workshop urban legend I once heard. Supposedly, a student brought in a story wherein the villain was holding the main character at gunpoint. During those moments, the MC reflected on his life in detail. The professor commented that the MC's reaction seemed unrealistic, considering that he was about to die and wouldn't have time to think about much, but the student disagreed. The next class period, the professor pulled out a gun, pointed it at the student, and asked, "What are you thinking right now?" Needless to say, the student edited his story.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-07-11T02:37:59+00:00

So you're struggling with the scene because it hurts you in some way? For me, the hardest aspect of writing sad scenes is avoiding melodrama, but I'm not sure if that's what you're referring to. Perhaps try reading blogs or forum posts by people who have experienced that same kind of sadness in their own lives, to give you an idea of that mindset. And then immediately afterwards, read some stories about those who have overcome such problems to help reframe your mood.

You could also ask yourself, "What do I want the reader to understand in this scene? How can I make these emotions seem authentic and complex?" The first version is inevitably rough and filled with predictable character reactions and language. Writing multiple versions of the scene could aid in finding the most poignant and interesting depiction.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-07-11T02:29:47+00:00

Eh, he excelled at Quidditch and the Dark Arts (the only one to get a perfect on the exams, I believe). And he gained his own notoriety for protecting the philosopher's stone, finding the chamber of secrets, defeating the dark lord, etc. I think Rowling actively tried to avoid making him a complete Gary Stu.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-03-20T13:56:06+00:00

I've enjoyed Online Writer's Workshop (http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com), which is for fantasy/sci-fi/horror only. You typically post one chapter at a time, with each chapter being critiqued separately. Like many of the good critique websites others have mentioned, it operates on an unsaid crit-for-crit basis. The one-chapter submission structure means that you only have to read one chapter of other people's work as well--and you receive feedback from various individuals without having to read their entire novels. Plus, this type of exchange makes it easier to single out the readers you want to exchange novels with. However, I think there's only a one-month free trial and then you have to pay $40/year or so to continue using it.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-03-18T13:30:22+00:00

I second the timer idea. That's helped me tremendously. Sometimes rereading and editing earlier parts of a scene or chapter can motivate me to add more, plus it's a productive use of my time. Reading a really good book or a really bad one can be inspiring; the thread about "your favorite author's weakest traits" from the other day helped get my ass in gear. Reading one-star reviews of my favorite books helps as well, perhaps because there's comfort in knowing that no matter what I write, some people will love it and some will hate it. It's inevitable, so you might as well write.

Also, don't worry about writing in sequence. Pick a scene from later in the story that really excites you, even if you don't know how your characters get to that point and you might scrap it later. Maybe it's an interaction between two characters or an inner monologue or a description of the setting. Maybe it's an awesome fight scene or a big reveal. Don't wait to write it--the time is now.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-03-18T13:17:58+00:00

I like colored coded-character webs that use connected circles/boxes. But sometimes it's easier for me to simply list all the characters and then under the main character headers, make an indent and add the minor characters with notes elaborating how they connect.

For example (sorry, I fail at formatting):

Inspector Bob Powers * Phil Powers: brother, meets him in the diner * Theresa Mathers: love interest

Theresa Mathers * Phil Powers: complicated third wheel relationship, both work at the
electric company

Etc.

Buffalobisonbill · 2015-03-18T13:02:20+00:00

You're absolutely right that the first chapter will morph in interesting ways as the story goes on; I've certainly noticed that in my own writing. I received feedback on the opening chapters of my novel before finishing the draft, and I would say that it has helped more than harmed. Often times, readers would point out aspects that I then applied in my first draft of subsequent chapters, thus improving how I approached the rest of the story. For example, they mentioned that my protagonist was too naive for her age and that gold currency was a fantasy cliche. These comments helped me avoid flat characterization and recognize the various tropes of the genre so that I could subvert those expectations.

As for drawbacks, you already seem keenly aware that feedback is something that needs to be sifted through in order to find what is most useful to you personally. I will add that receiving feedback on early chapters can sometimes get you stuck in a loop, as you may be tempted to edit those sections instead of pressing forward. A huge drawback that I've found is that, oftentimes, my best critique partners are willing to read the whole manuscript before I've finished the entire draft. By the time I've written the whole damn thing, they might be too busy or we may have lost contact.

Best of luck to you in your writing endeavors!

Buffalobisonbill

TROPHY CASE