Ask an Editor: Working With Writers and Their Writing
Updated: Sep 4
Most people can read. Most of those readers probably know how to write, even if they don’t do it often or lack writerly skills. But how about writing for other people to read? That number may be quite a bit smaller. Even if writing for others is something you do well, it’s generally a good idea to bring in an editor and make sure your writing is the best it can be. I’ve shared elsewhere about why you still need a human editor, even in this age of AI-generated content. Now let’s have an editor answer some of the questions you might ask about the craft of editing. And, full disclosure, that editor would be me. I mean, I’m sitting right here, so why not?
Why are you an editor?
My deep background as a writer invited me to hone the skill of editing other writers. In our chaotic world, tweaking language for precision and consistency might seem like a small thing, yet by making all the details work as they should, a careful editor enhances the overall effectiveness of what the writer communicates. It’s easy for me to drill down into grammar, syntax, and punctuation as I improve what’s already there. People seem to like how I use these skills.
How do you determine if a piece of writing is any good?
Even when I’m in a hurry to start editing, it’s important to read the entire thing first, whether the writer is new to me or someone whose work I already know. In this initial pass, I can usually recognize whether the document is an interesting read, whether the writer is comfortable with and knowledgeable about their subject, and how skilled they are with their language use.
What’s your feedback style when communicating with the writer?
As a writer, I’m rarely inspired by blunt, generic criticism like, “Sorry, I’m not really feeling it.” So as an editor, I’ve cultivated a style of encouragement that’s both general and specific.
• General: “Here are the points we’re hoping to hit. You did a great job with these ones here. How can we work more of those other ones into the piece?”
• Specific: “This paragraph feels like the kernel of your argument. It’ll really pop if we can strengthen the lead-in and the connecting material immediately before and after.”
How do you work?
Other than my time with Edutopia, where I spent my days on-site, I’ve worked remotely for most of my freelance career. My editing work has included press releases, blogs, web copy, and books. I’ll frequently tackle line, copy, and proofing edits in a single pass, sometimes including technical edits when I'm familiar with the subject matter or the writer’s previous work. It saves time without compromising my accuracy. I prefer using Word or Google Docs to track my changes whenever possible, because I want to be as transparent as possible.
I begin by skimming what I’m about to edit for a sense of its content and rhythm. I might compile a list of working notes about obvious inconsistencies, how the piece could better match the style guide I’m using, and any issues that should be discussed with the writer prior to starting my edit. Then I roll up my sleeves and work through it from start to finish. If closer inspection surfaces additional issues, I add these to my working notes and, if an issue is serious enough, I reach out to the writer. After that first pass, depending on my level of certainty and the time available for the project, I might do one or two lighter reviews. To my eye, the edit is done when all issues have been addressed and the rhythm is right. If the writer thinks otherwise, obviously I listen
Can you say more about style guides?
Yes, I can! I always start each project by familiarizing myself with the standards to which I’ll be editing. After my first pass, I’m pretty clear on the writer’s tone and how closely it aligns with an established style (in most cases Chicago Manual, Associated Press, or American Psychological Association). If I’ve worked with the writer previously, the style of past projects is a good road map for the style currently needed. In a practical sense, the style guide is my way of keeping the granular details consistent.
Some projects have required me to create a new style guide or expand an existing one. With Leoni Consulting Group, for example, I took an informal catch-all of in-house style and grammar standards, organized it for easier use, and clarified or added new cases and categories encountered while editing.
How does content strategy factor into editing?
I believe that content strategy is a team effort, especially when it comes to the details of formulation and execution. In my blog editor role at Edutopia, that strategy happened organically. I was familiar with our regular bloggers, and I spent enough time in our online community of educators to recognize the passions and concerns they expressed. Additionally, the George Lucas Educational Foundation’s mission was baked into the culture of our organization. Within that environment, finding the language and focus to engage the audience came naturally.
As an editor, what does success look like to you?
While much of the material I've edited throughout my career has been public facing (such as web content, handbooks, and fiction), there has also been a goodly share of internal communications and documentation (such executive
summaries, white papers, and bios). I’ve worked across the education, marketing, and entertainment sectors, which covers a lot of ground. But whatever the material, an editor’s job is fairly straightforward: make it clear and readable. The best outcome for the reader is a piece of writing that can be effortlessly read and easily understood. The best outcome for the writer is feeling that they’ve worked with a mentor who gave them a little push to make something good into something even better.
Any other questions? Drop them in an email and I’ll be happy to answer.
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