I say this objectively: the job of an editor is tough, it comes with almost zero accolades and it ensures you are never in the spotlight — unlike what it is for writers! Now, for an introvert like me, these things can be good things. But if I’m being honest, there are times when I ask myself, Why do some people not recognize the importance of an editor?
Professionally, I’ve been sharpening pencils, cleaning red ink off the right border of my hand and become extremely friendly with the “track changes” option of Microsoft Word for the better part of 27 years. Something tells me that I was an amateur editor long before that, however.
So, why the griping, you ask? Because after more than a quarter century I have realized that it’s only a small percentage of people who truly understand the role an editor plays in the world of content — and respects us for it.
Are we grammar nerds? Of course, someone must be! Put it this way, if schools are not going to teach our youngsters the rules about the diphthong (diphthong is derived from the Greek language and means “two sounds” or “two voices”), dangling modifier or the boring yet all-too-important comma, among so many others, I feel that readers and, dare I say, writers should acquiesce to the editor’s skill and not barrage them with “Why did you remove…?”; “Why did you insert…?”; or “Why did you replace X word with Y?”
I’m the type of editor who changes copy because it needs to be changed, not because I feel it sounds better. I make every effort to ensure a writer’s voice is maintained. Would I like to incorporate a lot more changes? Sure, who wouldn’t? Editors love editing. But do I do it? No. I think a writer’s style should be maintained. I liken an editor to that of a sentinel, where we guard the text and, ultimately, the writer from their own gaffes.
What I know is this: I do not need validation. I know my value (and the lovely award I received for writing and editing (category of Column and Opinion) in 2020 is a testament to this), but people need a pat on the back occasionally. Like everyone else, editors are human, too.
For every writer that wins awards and hears “Bravo” from readers, remember the humble editor behind those words, who likely worked in the wee hours of the morning or burned the midnight oil (due to others’ missed deadlines — more on that in another blog post!) to meet the publication deadline.
Now, back to more editing … until next time.
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