Writer's Fallout Shelter

That is something i have been thinking more about these days. I recently joined this site. Also recently, a friend of mine asked me to edit for a novel she is writing. One thing i find i can do as an editor is be the reader and point out where there are obvious gaps and flaws, etiehr punctuation, tone, tempo, grammar, etc. Then on a deeper leve, if i can understand the piece, and the writer's intent, i can help with maintaining consistency and flow through a piece, especially important in a longer piece of writing, say a novel. Beyond that, the editor can even serve to bounce ideas off, and help in the brainstorming process, during rewriting, or even at the intitial stages of the process. I also think it would depend on the author. Some authors like outside input at different points. I know when i don't want someone looking over my shoulder, and when i really want to know what someone thinks. I met a writer who has two editors, a macro editor and a micro editor. Kind of like a right brained editor and a left brained editor. I do however think it is important to have a variety of people read your writing before you submit it. That way you you know how it is received, and can take any salient suggestions to heart.