When I think of editing, the first thing that comes to mind is the days of old when school teachers marked incorrect answers with a red pen. Back then it felt like failure or stupidity, but after reading this post it sheds new light. Whether the markings are red, blue, or something else, having someone to review your work and make suggestions can be the difference between a masterpiece or a master mess.
OK, let’ s stipulate that it’s not always fun.
OK, sometimes it’s really horrible.
Some people dread it. Some people fear it. Some people avoid the whole thing, by self-publishing or never submitting their ideas or work to an editor for their professional judgment.
But without an editor, your writing is stuck in neutral forever.
Even if they’re a butcher who adds errors to your copy (yes, that happens) or inserts words you’d never use (that, too) or asks asinine questions (hell, yes), you’re still learning how to write better as a result.
Few things can so quickly clarify your original intent more than having every word challenged.
Journalism, and commercial publishing, is a team sport. No matter what medium, that isn’t about to change.
Nor should it.
This delicious joke, how a women’s magazine editor would edit a BBC report was amusing every writer I know…
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Melanie V. Logan 