Re: Student Tech Writer being edited to death...Fact of life?

[Bob Morse <morse -at- INXPRESS -dot- NET>]

rchenier -at- writer -dot- synapse -dot- net (Raymond Chenier) wrote:
>I can feel a frustration building whereby I guess I would
>like my editor to say: "Well let's just tell the originator
>to butt out." But this originator IS the one who understands
>the material better than anyone - he just can't express it in
>words.

>My main problem is I don't know how to express myself
>politely and tell this person what I feel about his constant
>pestering. It has become personal, I work at home. Is there
>not a recipe for harmonious relations, or is this what could
>be termed: "welcome to the real world!"

Welcome to the real world!

Actually, it all depends on the hierarchy and personalitites of whatever
organization you're working for.  If you run into some serious egos (and in
this case it seems you have), you can expect to endure a lot of editing and
criticisms from people who don't know half of what you do as a professional
writer/editor.  In particular, the founders of many small organizations
seem to think that they are the only ones qualified/competent enough to do
anything, so they look over everybody's shoulders (not just the writers)
and routinely overrule everyone.  (In my experience, I've seen two
different companies actually go down the tubes because of this sort of
micro-management.)  Some such people just have a problem delegating, but
this may or may not combine with a monster ego that can make life miserable
for the staff--and trash the organization.

On the other hand, many owners/managers do have the good sense to delegate
in confidence, and defer to the expertise that they've hired.  As I say, it
all depends on the hierarchy and personalities.

For your particular situation, you might consider documenting, briefly and
without rancor, why "your" way is better (active/passive voice, precision
of verbs, wordiness, etc.), but then hold it in reserve and just ask him
(paraphrasing here):  "Why the hell did you hire me, anyway?"  That sort of
opener presumably will lead to a comparison of "his" way vs. "your" way,
and you can then produce your notes to show him why he was most wise to
have hired you.