Eleven Amazing Ways An Editor Can Make You Fascinating
Why use an editor at all? Many of you might ask this question every day. After all, there are about a million apps and plug-ins that help you to write. Some of them can even help you dumb down your writing to the 6th grade level so that 12-year-olds can comprehend your words. But is that really your audience? Twelve-year-olds?
Editors Are Old-School, But Then Again, No
Editors Are Old-School, But Then Again, No
After all, isn’t having an editor a bit old-fashioned? Like using an old-school typewriter? Well, no, not really. You see, an editor can make your work flow, especially a great editor who can do a structural edit. A structural edit looks at the big picture–see Robert Doran’s article So What Is a Structural Edit Exactly?
Get in the Flow
Speaking of flow, a good editor can help the sentences flow from one paragraph to the next. If the style changes, if the verbs and nouns disagree or even fight each other (a terrible sight!), an editor can help.
They Know More Words Than You
Not only that, but they know what parts of speech those words belong in. Sheesh, does that even make sense? I might have to stop and ask an editor!
They Are Not Afeared of Semicolons
Or colons. And when to use an ellipses (…). And what an em dash is! Who the heck knows what an em dash is?! Seriously. Who does? By the way, here’s a snazzy article about punctuation, from the Living Oxford Dictionary. (I particularly like their explanation of the Oxford comma.)
Contrary to Popular Belief, They’re Not Meanies
Now, some people are clearly too sensitive to work with an editor. And I remember back in the day when my words were me. Do you know what I mean? But now they’re just words–doing their own thing. It’s the thoughts behind the words that really matter.
They Are Actually Nice
We all know that mean people suck (a bumpersticker that no editor would ever put on her Honda Civic, by the way), but editors are not people who suck. They are kind 97% of the time. The other 3% of the editors are suffering from psychological damage.
They Help Your Writing Soar
If you’re a perfectionist, then you are ripe for an editor. Because an editor can make your writing soar. And not in a Red Bull gives you wings kind of way, either.
They Can Remove All the Weird Bits
Everyone has a few things they always do. We all kinda sorta make mistakes that can make our writing less than good. But with the digital equivalent of the red pen, an editor can get rid of those. In other words, a good editor won’t let you embarrass yourself.
Make Your Writing More Concise, Editors Can
If you have the tendency to write like Yoda speaks, as do I sometimes, an editor help you can. By the way, if you don’t have the skill of writing like Yoda, you can use the Yoda Translator. And you write yourself into a grammatical corner if also assist you an editor can. Did you see what I did there?
Your Writing Might Not Be As Good As You Think It is
Or maybe it is! But only an editor will tell you the truth. By the way, here’s an article about how to write a headline that people will want to click.
Editors Need Love, Too
If you don’t own a mug that says Have You Hugged An Editor Today?, then you might want to think about getting one.
Do You Love Editors?
Tell me about your love in the comments! And thank you!
Hi Carol,
Your post brought back memories of my early writing years and the red pen editing all over my work. I’ve had many editors (long story). And I admit my writing wasn’t very good but sometimes I questioned edits. I remember keeping some of the edited papers and comparing to see how we went in circles. Final products weren’t always the way I started but sometimes pretty close.
You also reminded me how much I don’t like the Oxford comma but Grammarly continually reminds me to use it. Grrr
Cheers!
Hi Patricia,
Oooh! Do tell! Sounds like a story there!
Before I was a writer, I was an editor for a brief time.
The Oxford comma isn’t the only way! But occasionally the Oxford comma can clarify a list of items (my editor reminded me of this). Depends on your own preference and style guide.
Thanks for commenting and I’d like to hear about your writing life!
Carol
In my younger days, I worked in the Public Affairs arena. (eye roll) I really didn’t like it and eventually worked my way out of it. Still had to use my writing skills in my positions and years throughout the Army but not in the same manner. Not as agonizing anyway. Hahaha
Hi Patricia,
That does make sense, and I remember you mentioned being in the Army before. (Does the Army use the Oxford comma?)
Writing skills are good no matter where you are.
Carol