The relationship between writer and editor is filled with turmoil. Writers picture editors hunched over their desks, surrounded by an army of red pens, squinting angrily at the most recent submissions and looking for a reason to chop as many paragraphs as possible from what could have been a prize-winning article, if not for the editor’s hatchet job. (In this picture, there may or may not be smoke coming out of the editor’s ears and fire out of her nostrils.)
All he wants is for writers and editors to get along
In truth, editors are much less monstrous. Just as there are terrible doctors, lawyers and writers, there are terrible editors. But I think that’s the minority of editors. The majority (I hope) are conscientious and want to do the best job possible.
So, with the intent of increasing positive relations between writers and editors, I’m posting a list of things editors wish writers knew. I must thank the delightful Kat Code, who edits my submissions to Cloverleaf Country Magazine, for her invaluable help with this list. I couldn’t have done it without her, and I’m not just saying that because she edits my work.
1. Editors ensure the article is clear and succinct.
As writers we like to think everything we write is not only brilliant but also understandable and entertaining. That’s just not how it works. Often an idea makes sense to us but doesn’t translate to the audience. Editors are the go-betweens for the author and the audience, ensuring all sentences make sense to the reader.
Changing articles may involve converting jargon to plain language (we’ve all accidentally used jargon at some point, haven’t we?); replacing $10 words with five-cent words; eliminating unnecessary words; and altering grammar, punctuation and spelling as necessary.
2. Editors want to ensure readers enjoy reading the article.
It’s not in the editor’s best interests to destroy a writer’s work. Rather, her job is to make an article as audience-friendly as possible. This means ensuring a fantastic hook, checking all sentences for clarity and editing the article so it’s as interesting and informative as possible.
3. Editors must keep in mind the publication as a whole.
There are many articles and advertisements in a publication. Each article is just one part of a whole, and editors must keep that in mind when they edit. The publication’s image or brand can play a role in how an article is edited. Also important are in-house style conventions that not all writers check before submitting articles (really a big no-no on the part of the writers).
4. Editors understand the audience’s wants and needs.
As a freelance writer, you may only write for a certain publication once in a while. The editor, however, works for the publication constantly. She has a deep understanding of her audience and what the audience expects from the magazine. The writer may have researched the potential audience, but the editor has a relationship with it.
As with any profession, there are good editors and bad ones. The good ones work with the writer, explaining changes or asking for clarification before changes are made. The explanations they give will help the writer improve her writing and won’t hurt the writer’s pride too much. Even when the editor’s explanations aren’t clear or even kind, it’s important for writers to remember that the ultimate goal is an article that’s enjoyable for the audience. If you keep this in mind, you might be a happy freelancer.
Next time, my list will include things for writers to keep in mind when they write articles.
