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That's why I chose not to work with that editor again, and love the editor
I'm working with now. We -each- have the freedom to question the other
about anything that seems relevant. And again, there's no sense of
"ownership" - if I, knowing the client/audience/technology/whatever better
than my editor, feel that her suggestion will change the meaning of what I'm
trying to convey, I'm free to disregard the comment (although I'll usually
take a second look at whatever it is to be sure I'm saying it in the best
possible way). Likewise, if she's not sure what I'm trying to get at about
something, she'll leave me a note such as "I'm not sure if you're saying xxx
or yyy. You may want to rethink this."
It's especially nice to have her on my team when I've gotten so bleary-eyed
about a project that I almost don't care anymore whether or not whatever
I've written makes sense. And that, for me, is the true value of a good
editor.
-----Original Message-----
From: Laura A Mac Lemale
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 12:00 PM
Hello,
Lyn wrote (in part):
> "...On the downside, I once worked with an editor who felt the need to
re-write
> nearly every word (I think they must have gotten a discount on red pens
> bought in bulk..!). Most of the comments were purely stylistic, and many
> contradicted the conventions that had been adopted for the project..."
<snip>
Not only does a good editor not contradict existing conventions, but a good
editor can always answer questions about changes made. If you question any
changes, a good editor will have a better answer than "Well, that's how I've
always done it" or "That's how I prefer it," etc. And, further, a good
editor
should not have a problem with any questions - a good editor may even
anticipate
them.
Regards,
Laura (purposely avoiding the editorial question of "he/she" vs. "they" with
singular verb forms by repeating "a good editor" throughout this post)
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