Editing Journal
Allyse Taylor
Module 1: Professional
Website (3-5 edits)
Date
Example from your writing
How you edited
Grammar/style rule
01/25
This applies across all language mediums from written works to radio broadcasts to films. If
Added a comma after mediums
“From” begins a new clause which requires a comma to separate
01/25
A quote by Jacques Barzun from the reading this week does a great job of illustrating this point.
Removed “this week” and “point”
Edited line:
A quote by Jacques Barzun from the reading does a great job of illustrating this.
A time frame had been used a few sentences before, making this seem redundant. I removed “point” as this too seemed redundant to add
01/25
Those who place value on rules, standards, structure will see editing as a necessary and beneficial tool to ensure that what is published is up to par.
Added an “and” between standards and structures - just forgot to add the whole word!
“and “ is used as a connection between a grouping of things in a sentence
Module 2: Job Research &
Analysis (3-5 edits)
Date
Example from your writing
How you edited
Grammar/style rule
02/05
then destroyed it I knew that in order to do this, I
than destroyed it. I knew that in order to do this, I
Had to add a period at the end of prior sentence for proper punctuation, switched then to than as it is used in comparison
02/05
Someone who have the ability to do several types of editing well may be a valuable asset for a company that doesn’t necessarily produce literary works or,
Edited version, changed “have” to “has”:
Someone who has the ability to do several types of editing well may be a valuable asset for a company that doesn’t necessarily produce literary works or,
I used the wrong verb tense, had to go back and conjugate correctly.
02/05
Specialists also fill distinct spaces that, in some situations only that specific person can fill. A unique and well honed voice will always be necessary. They have taken something that they love, that they are passionate about, or that they understand deeply, and made it their mission to be able to help others understand it more fully and with more clarity.
Edited version, changed sentence placement:
Specialists also fill distinct spaces that, in some situations only that specific person can fill. They have taken something that they love, that they are passionate about, or that they understand deeply, and made it their mission to be able to help others understand it more fully and with more clarity. A unique and well honed voice will always be necessary.
The initial writing of this paragraph just felt off - the sentence I moved seemed more like something that would close out the paragraph rather than right after the introduction.
02/09
The editor position that caught my eye was for the Washington Post.
Edited version, added a word:
The editor position that immediately caught my eye was for the Washington Post.
I added immediately here to give my opening sentence more emphasis and enthusiasm.
Module 3: Grammar/Style
Handout (3-5 edits)
Date
Example from your writing
How you edited
Grammar/style rule
02/16
This should be the first ranking because the two cannot come without the other, and because this one is so closely connected with the author.
Edited version, full rewrite:
This cannot come without the other two, but I find that because this path is so closely connected with the author, it should be first in the ranking.
The first writing of this sentence felt clunky. The meaning did not come across as easily, so fixed sentence structure to make it flow more effectively.
02/16
I understand this piece as the ability to communicate openly and honestly with the author of the work.
Edited version, changed tenses:
I understood this piece as the ability to communicate openly and honestly with the author of the work.
Past tense was used throughout the rest of the writing, so changed from present to past to make tenses consistent.
02/23
If the shortened form is being used descriptively, leave lowercase
Edited version, removed “the”:
If shortened form is being used descriptively, leave lowercase
The rest of the bullet points on this handout were in a shortened form, with as few words used to conserve space. Removal of this word helped with the overall consistency of the handout
02/23
While, style manuals recommend
capitalizing trademarks, this is up to
editor discretion
Edited verision, removed the comma:
While style manuals recommend
capitalizing trademarks, this is up to
editor discretion
Comma was not necessary as “while” was not its own separate clause
Module 4: Editing Practice
(3-5 edits)
Date
Example from your writing
How you edited
Grammar/style rule
02/29
No one way or method of editing is correct, like many other facets of editing, and both have their own place and time that they are appropriate
Edited version:
Both editing with a hard copy and with a digital copy come with their advantages, along with their own unique challenges. No one way or method is correct, like many other facets of editing, and both have their own place and time that they are appropriate.
I had the initial version as my opening sentence, but it felt incomplete as and though it did not fit with the following paragraph. I added a stronger introductory line and made this section its own intro paragraph.
02/29
Coming back to the author though these changes may be more difficult to make on paper.
Edited version, added commas:
Coming back to the author, though, these changes may be more difficult to make on paper.
Framed ‘though’ with commas to give more pause around this thought. Without the commas it felt as though it read too quickly.
03/21
Editors are often the people who are holding the keys to the literary kingdom, and what that means for the editor and author relationship is that the author is often at the mercy of what they think and find worth it.
Edited version, added ‘literary’, changed ‘worth it’ to ‘worthy’:
Editors are often the people who are holding the keys to the literary kingdom, and what that means for the editor and author relationship is that the author is often at the mercy of what they think and find worthy.
Fixed the wording in this sentence to make it more interesting and more articulate.
03/21
While the industry that I am experiencing this in is completely different, I think the personal dilemma is rather similar, and something that I work to reconcile with when it comes up.
Edited version, added more context:
While the industry that I am experiencing this in is completely different, I think the personal dilemma is rather similar, and something that I work to reconcile with when it comes up. I’m an extremely empathetic and tender hearted person, and before I make these decisions, I tend to think about how I would be feeling if I were on the flip side of things.
The tone of this section is emotional and almost vulnerable, and I felt as though adding more personal context would bring the point home more effectively.
Module 5: Editing Resource Analysis (3-5 edits)
Date
Example from your writing
How you edited
Grammar/style rule
04/05
I thought that Rubinstein’s overall critique was well evidenced and supported, and felt more in line with how I feel about editing, although with much greater context. She writes about how this method is less concerned with every tiny detail, with rigorous rules and conventions, and more concerned with what each sentence and line means and is meant to evoke from the reader.
Edited version, added more context:
I thought that Rubinstein’s overall critique was well evidenced and supported, and felt more in line with how I feel about editing, although with much greater context. Towards the end of the article, she talks about a new path forward with copyediting, likening a revised and reimagined practice as a form of poetry. She writes about how this method is less concerned with every tiny detail, with rigorous rules and conventions, and more concerned with what each sentence and line means and is meant to evoke from the reader.
The sentence that I added gave my introduction more supporting information and related my writing to Rubenstein’s writing. These sentences were originally at the top of a paragraph, moving them to their own separate paragraph with more information gave it more weight.
04/05
One of the pieces of her critique that I appreciated the most was the examination of what we know of as copyediting is rooted in and the ways in which it contributes to systemic issues
Edited version, added the correct punctuation:
One of the pieces of her critique that I appreciated the most was the examination of what we know of as copyediting is rooted in, and the ways in which it contributes to systemic issues.
Added a comma to separate two different clauses, added a period to end the sentence (somehow I just totally forgot to punctuate the whole sentence???)
04/12
One thing that was pretty confusing to me in this text was the case study put forth in chapter two, pages twenty eight to forty seven.
Edited version, changed numbers:
One thing that was pretty confusing to me in this text was the case study put forth in chapter 2, pages 28 to 47.
Using the actual numerics in the case made more sense than writing out the numbers.
04/12
A developmental editor seems to have a much heavier hand when it comes to what the finished product of the book will be, and throughout this book I found myself thinking that from this perspective, the author is in some ways removed of their agency. There were even lines that felt as though the author is being infantilized.
A developmental editor seems to have a much heavier hand when it comes to what the finished product of the book will be, and throughout this book I found myself thinking that from this perspective, the author is in some ways removed of their agency. There were even lines that felt as though the author is being infantilized, like they are unable to make the correct decisions in their process to bring the book to a place where it is sellable and profitable.
Infantilized is a very strong word, and I felt that it needed something to back it up. Leaving that sentence on that word felt incomplete.
Module 6: Emails to Guest Speakers (3-5 edits)
Date
Example from your writing
How you edited
Grammar/style rule
04/22
This was something that came up in conversation in most interviews, but was most prominent with Hannah, Allegra, and Niki’s conversations. Hannah and Niki highlighted the not only collaboration of reporters and editors, but also the collaboration that comes from working with the community to produce what would be considered the news that’s fit to print.
Edited, added a sentence:
This was something that came up in conversation in most interviews, but was most prominent with Hannah, Allegra, and Niki’s conversations. This, of course, makes a lot of sense when working in journalism like Hannah and Niki do, but was expanded upon in different ways in Allegra’s interview. Hannah and Niki highlighted the not only collaboration of reporters and editors, but also the collaboration that comes from working with the community to produce what would be considered the news that’s fit to print.
Felt like more context could be added here in the differences between interviews.
04/22
She quoted Amy Poehler at one point, saying that “your previous experience is not time wasted, and your twenties is when you figure out what you don’t want to do”.
She quoted Amy Poehler at one point, saying that your previous experience is not time wasted, and your twenties is when you figure out what you don’t want to do.
This was not a direct quote so I removed quotation marks, they were unnecessary.
04/22
I found this very useful as it put in perspective how essentially marketing and sales is to have some knowledge about when considering publishing and editing as a career.
Edited, adjusted a word:
I found this very useful as it put in perspective how essential marketing and sales is to have some knowledge about when considering publishing and editing as a career.
Changed ‘essentially’ to ‘essential’ - wrong word choice
Module 7: Final Website Edits (include all edits)
Date
Example from your writing
How you edited
Grammar/style rule
05/05
editing is a positive thing because it helps bring a gap between fantastic ideas
Change “bring” to “bridge” - was stream of consciousness writing and didn’t even clock that I typed the wrong word
Incorrect word usage, changed to the correct word to convey proper meaning
05/05
I confess, I was atrocious at editing things I’ve written, and as the empress of procrastination, I had a habit of busting out whatever it was that I was writing within mere hours of its deadline, which often meant submitting whatever it was without much more than a second glance to check for anything that might be out of place or incorrect.
Edited version, broken into two sentences:
I confess, I was atrocious at editing things I’ve written. As the empress of procrastination, I had a habit of busting out whatever it was that I was writing within mere hours of its deadline, which often meant submitting whatever it was without much more than a second glance to check for anything that might be out of place or incorrect.
There was way too much information packed into what I was trying to make one sentence. Reading it back it felt like it would be more understandable and have more readability if broken up
05/05
The main caution that I think is important to keep in mind is the reasoning behind how we’re editing, or where the guidelines that we are using come from.
Edited version, removed “I think”:
The main caution that is important to keep in mind is the reasoning behind how we’re editing, or where the guidelines that we are using come from.
Redundancy avoidance - after I read through this, I realized that I’d used “I think” several times and it had become redundant and unnecessary
05/05
It is relational, and it is a practice that is integral to any space that requires use of the written word.
Edited version, expanded on a thought left unfinished:
It is relational, and allows us to forge connections with people in order to bring creative work to life. It is a practice that is integral to any space that requires use of the written word.
These two thoughts work well together, but the prior thought was left unfinished, leaving this space feeling a little incomplete. Expanding on what I felt needed more information gave the full picture of what I was trying to say.
05/05
Communication professional and aspiring editor based in Casper, Wyoming.
Communication professional and freelance editor based in Casper, Wyoming.
Changed “aspiring” to “freelance”. I may not have picked up a job yet, but I am no longer just aspiring, I am out there and ready to edit!
05/05
Just had a placeholder
Editing, for me, is not just the act of fixing radical comma usage or the errant misspelling. What I offer as an editor is a second set of eyes and ears to help you achieve your best work yet. Whether it is a line by line edit to catch what you might have missed when you finally finished your chapter, or a full developmental edit of your work, it is my highest priority to bring your idea to the next level, grammatically or otherwise. I might nitpick over word choice every now and again, but it is not to question your command of the English language; rather, it is my intention to bring your intention more clearly to the forefront of your readers’ minds with these queries. I value open lines of communication with my authors above all else, and strive to take your ideas and thoughts into consideration as we find what works best for your work. At the end of the day, I’m here to be a tool and resource for you and your writing. As a self proclaimed comma lover, I’ll be able to find grammar and spelling issues that might need a little work. As an avid reader and sometimes editor of fiction, I specialize in finding plot holes and asking questions that make both of us consider different angles and avenues for your story to travel down. I don’t just want to edit your work, I want to understand where it came from and what you want to say so that your message and tale can reach as many people as possible.
Added my full editing philosophy blurb
05/05
Just had a placeholder
As a recent communications graduate, I am in search of new opportunities to help you communicate your ideas to the world as effectively as possible. I have worked in sales, training and marketing for the last six years, and this background along with my recent studies afford me the ability to work flexibly between modes and styles. I aim to help a variety of authors make their voice stronger, their intentions more clear, and their stories or arguments more cohesive.
I have edited countless papers, three different drafts of a novel, and a litany of presentations, and find joy in each piece that I edit. I have been writing my own stories since I could pick up a pencil and have been editing them for just as long. I have a family of writers, and persistently annoy my author husband with questions of why he’s put that comma there again as I edit his writing. I have an eye for detail, and have used that to bring projects within my sales, training, and marketing positions to new heights.
With four years experience as a training professional, something that I specialize in is honest yet compassionate feedback, and I bring that to my editing practice in an effort to help foster the best working relationship possible. In every season of my career, I have been led to positions of helping others realize their potential and dreams, and I am to do that as your editor. I am always looking for new projects to take on, and look forward to hearing about yours.
Added full about me
Final Reflection
After I read through my initial reading reflection, I found that my answer is largely unchanged, but with some caveats and cautions. I wrote about how editing is a positive thing because it helps bridge a gap between fantastic ideas and the sometimes inability to articulate them effectively, and while I still stand by this, I think that there is something to be said about what is or isn’t an appropriate way for a writer to articulate themselves. The main caution that I think is important to keep in mind is the reasoning behind how we’re editing, or where the guidelines that we are using come from. Maybe that means adopting and adjusting different methods in order to be more inclusive, or more diverse in the type of language or writing styles that we are using, or maybe it is viewing our editing through different sociocultural lenses. Most importantly, keeping an open mind and line of dialogue can help us fall less into the role of gatekeeper, and more into a place of collaboration, care and creativity.
As for my own editing, I found that what changed the most in the way that I edited throughout the semester was just how much more actual editing I started doing of my own work. I confess, I was atrocious at editing things I’ve written. As the empress of procrastination, I had a habit of busting out whatever it was that I was writing within mere hours of its deadline, which often meant submitting whatever it was without much more than a second glance to check for anything that might be out of place or incorrect. I have since realized the error of my ways and have done exponentially more editing of my own work, which feels like growth as a writer and editor! I also realized with my editing journal just how much more emphasis I put on the structure and style of my writing and editing. I realized that previously I was spending most of my time line editing and spot checking for errors that could be fixed relatively quickly, but have put more effort into thinking about the overall tone of what I’m editing, and how the sentence actually fits within the broader writing itself.
I think it’s less of an edit in particular that stands out to me, but rather just the sheer amount of edits of me typing the wrong word and having to go back to change it to the correct one. What it illustrates for me, as a writer and editor, is how much I was previously relying on the spelling and grammar check within whatever word processor I was using. When the wrong word is input, rather than the wrong spelling, it’s not something that the checker normally picks up, leaving the mistake to go unnoticed in my haste to speed edit. Noticing this pattern has made me rely less on these tools, and pay more attention to what I’ve actually put on the page. While I still think that these tools are useful, and I still employ their use, it is more of a cursory check rather than the only or final edit that gets done. Knowing this has also helped me pay more attention while I’m writing in the first place, which seems to be making these errors occur a little less frequently.
This course has really affirmed my interest and drive to move towards working in editing, whether it be freelance or full time. When I came into this course, I simply had thought that it might allow me to do something that I’d already been engaging in more effectively, and give me some additional tools to consider this as a career path. While I’m still not one hundred percent sure what that career path will look like, or what sort of opportunities I want to seek out, I do know with more certainty that editing is a field that I really enjoy and that I could be successful in. This course has broadened my horizons in terms of editing, and given me different perspectives to view editing with. It is not simply making sure everything is spelled right. It is relational, and allows us to forge connections with people in order to bring creative work to life. It is a practice that is integral to any space that requires use of the written word. It can be used in many different applications, and across different fields or industries. Anyone that needs to communicate written information needs a second set of eyes, allowing for niches to form and people to find their place within the practice of editing. I think it is fitting that I took this class in my very last semester before graduation, as it really helped put a bow on why I came back to school in the first place. I do worry a bit about the use of things like artificial intelligence, and what kind of impact that will have on being able to find success as an editor, but only a little. While sure, fixing typos and spelling errors can be achieved by a system or machine, what can’t be replicated well is the human element that an editor has. We can work with authors to bring their intention to life in a way that a machine could not understand, and can help bring ideas forward that just need a different set of eyes and a little nurturing.
Editing Resource Analysis
The editing-related book I chose for this assignment is…
In my book proposal, I had chosen two books, but for the purpose of this assignment I am going to be analyzing Developmental Editing by Scott Norton.
I chose this book because…
I chose Developmental Editing because of the focus that it has on non-fiction editing. I love fiction, and read a lot of it. Because of my familiarity with a lot of fiction genres and writing styles, I think that I would have a much easier time editing that. I wanted to choose something that would help me challenge myself, which I think this text will do. Something else that stood out to me about this book was its relative popularity online. When I searched for the books that I wanted to use, this one came back on several different best of lists.
My expectations before reading this book were…
Going into this book, while I knew of its popularity, I expected it to be a little dry and hard to follow at times. Since it is centered around nonfiction writing, I think I had the assumption that it would be more geared towards accuracy, or the more minute parts of writing. I did also expect, though, that it would be a detailed and well rounded explanation of what developmental editing is, how to handle it, and the different perspectives involved in the process.
My expectations were met because…
My expectations of the value and content of this book were absolutely met. This is a really thorough look at the entire process of developmental editing. The book itself is set up in a way that takes you through a developmental edit of several different scenarios, helping the reader to understand the practical applications of the material put forth.
My expectations were NOT met because…
The case study aspect of this book, for the most part, was not what I expected from this text and I found it to be much more engaging than I had presumed it would be. I thought that using this as a way to illustrate the editorial concepts helped me understand how they could be used more effectively in practice. It was not nearly as dense and difficult to read as I expected, and I found that I could easily follow the concepts and solidify them using the style and methods that Norton put forth. Something else that I did not expect was how much this would offer on the development of the argument being made by the author. There is an entire chapter devoted to this task and I found that this much of a focus was not something that I had considered, but see how important it is for the nonfiction author and editor.
2-3 practical moments in the book were (include page numbers)…
One of the most practical moments in the book is page 36 to 37, which includes a sidebar on how exactly one becomes a developmental editor. Considering that the book is all about developmental editing, I found this moment charming and useful, especially as someone who is not consulting this book as an already established editor, and instead someone looking to enter the field without much direction or idea of how. An important reminder that this sidebar ends with on page 37 is the advice to be patient, which can be terribly difficult for someone who is looking to break into a new field or begin their whirlwind career. I think that the practice of editing itself is an exercise in patience, so it makes perfect sense that this would be an important thing to keep in mind.
I think that the entire afterword, pages 221-222, is extremely practical in application. One of the key points listed here is to “intervene strategically”, and for the young and green editor (or, really, me) this is sound advice. I have a habit of trying to do the most that I can and overachieve in many situations, and holding this piece of advice is something that will be really helpful for my own editing philosophy. Time, money, and brainpower management is important, especially from a freelance perspective, and being able to decide what it is that really needs the full workup will help me make the most of my efforts and energies.
A really confusing moment in the book was (include page numbers)…
One thing that was pretty confusing to me in this text was the case study put forth in chapter 2, pages 28 to 47. I was not confused by the editing advice itself, but rather by the situation and story that was provided to illustrate the concepts outlined in this chapter. I thought that what Norton describes here in terms of what “assessing potential” means made a lot of sense, but I found myself very put off by the example used. I felt that the idea of someone pretending to be a woman, going so far as to take estrogen and try to make them believe that they were in fact a woman, was disrespectful to trans women and out of place. There are plenty of other ways that the author could have illustrated this concept, and I think that this left me with a bit of a skeptical and critical lens and I continued through the text. Not to say that their editorial information and knowledge is not necessarily valid, but it made me think about why I would want to take that knowledge and information from someone that was willing to make what felt like a mockery of a very real and often difficult human experience.
I wish the author(s) had talked more about and less about…
I think that this is more a product of the type of editing that is focused on in this text, but I would have appreciated a little bit more in terms of point of view and how to help edit that cohesively. Otherwise, you don't know what you don’t know, and since I went into this rather blind in terms of what developmental editing is and how it functions, I don’t think there was anything that I truly wish Norton wrote less about. I found the text informative and there wasn’t really anything that I found arbitrary or not useful.
[SYNTHESIS FOCUS] The book connected to (a reading, a discussion, a guest-speaker’s talk, my growing philosophy of editing, etc.) in this way…
Throughout the course of reading this text, the reading that felt the most closely connected to it was the Author-Editor relationship that we read for our fifth reading reflection assignment. Since this takes into consideration not only the editor’s position in the process, but also the publisher’s and author’s, the power relationships are on display throughout the entire book. In the chapter dedicated to the restructuring and organizing of the book, there is a bit about how the author’s concerns about the edits can seem one way to the editor, and how the editor’s can to the author. I thought that this chapter, especially because of what it is outlining, is quite illustrative of the power dynamic at play in this type of editing. A developmental editor seems to have a much heavier hand when it comes to what the finished product of the book will be, and throughout this book I found myself thinking that from this perspective, the author is in some ways removed of their agency. There were even lines that felt as though the author is being infantilized, like they are unable to make the correct decisions in their process to bring the book to a place where it is sellable and profitable. While there must be a communicative and open relationship between author and editor for this process to truly produce a work that people will love, I found that the way that this text described the author-editor relationship really put the author in a place below both the editor and the publisher. Maybe due to my inexperience and lack of knowledge surrounding the industry (or my fairly anti-capitalist, pro-art leanings), I felt that this is an oversight when it comes to the power dynamic at play, as the author is the one who creates the work in the first place. There is nothing to edit, and nothing to publish, without the author first coming up with an idea and putting their time, effort, and often heart into creating something to be edited and published. I felt as though this book connected so well to that reading because it was an even deeper examination of the author-editor, and in this case publisher relationships that are at play.
I would rate this book on a usefulness scale of 1-10 (1 lowest; 10 highest) as a __#____ because…________.
On a usefulness scale, I would give this book a hard 7. I don’t really plan on editing nonfiction books, but suppose that if I plan on being an editor, having this in my wheelhouse will be important. Along with broadening my horizons and providing me with the opportunity to explore a different kind of editing, it also seems to be useful for the purpose of writing all sorts of different work. As I read this, I thought about how helpful it would have been to use this method and these practices when editing my own work throughout the course of my academic career. I sometimes have a tougher time with big picture editing as I get wrapped up in the details, and the approach that this book works with is quite useful in terms of being able to take a look at the work as a whole and edit it not only for the mistakes that need corrected, but to make it stronger and more cohesive as a whole.
Reading Reflection #6
I thought that Rubinstein’s overall critique was well evidenced and supported, and felt more in line with how I feel about editing, although with much greater context. Towards the end of the article, she talks about a new path forward with copyediting, likening a revised and reimagined practice as a form of poetry. She writes about how this method is less concerned with every tiny detail, with rigorous rules and conventions, and more concerned with what each sentence and line means and is meant to evoke from the reader.
One of the pieces of her critique that I appreciated the most was the examination of what we know of as copyediting is rooted in, and the ways in which it contributes to systemic issues. I had not thought of this practice from this perspective, and it felt as though a lightbulb went off as I read her take here. There is something particularly inhuman in editing that is so firmly attached to its rules and structures, especially when humans often tend to find themselves in gray areas. The human experience doesn’t always fit inside the lines that we draw for ourselves, and the messy pieces of our existence make us who we are. Without this, we are sanitized versions of ourselves, and I think that this is true for the written word. This perfectionism, like she mentions in the article, not only removes some of the humanity that comes through with the mistakes that we make, but it is also rooted in white supremacy, effectively removing and silencing voices that do not linguistically fit into the boxes we create. While something that has been copyedited into oblivion may, by the standards of whiteness, be perfect in its composition and form, it has been removed of what makes it human, and of any other perspective or experience outside of the white cultural lens.
Another piece of her argument that resonated with me was how this perspective leads to an even more unbalanced power dynamic between the writer and the editor. She calls one end of the spectrum of edited “brute, insistent force”, and this illustrates how truly detrimental the rigidity and adherence to precedent can be. She goes on to discuss how these displays of force are often not truly about the corrections themselves, but instead about something deeper, something that could be (and seems as though it is) perceived as a personal affront. The copy editor is in a place of power, and with that place of power comes the expectations from those above to uphold the structure and rules that they have deemed appropriate and necessary for civility and normalcy to continue. By questioning or opposing these rules, the writer not only disregards the authority of the rules and where they come from, they also challenge the power and privilege that the editor has been given. When people feel threatened, they often react in these extreme ways, and this is no different in copyediting than it is as an elected official or police officer.
I think that one of the best things that this argument does is offer the reader, and hopefully the editor, a different perspective to see the practice from, and potentially a different framework to operate out of. If we can confront the harmful and inequitable places that we operate from, and work to break those patterns, we can change the way that we do things for the better. While this may seem more like a sociological issue, language at its core is a social function of our species, making it all the more important for us to consider the way that we engage with and use language, for better or for worse. This applies not just with the spoken and written words that we use, but with the way that we edit and alter them.
Reading Reflection #5
When considering a career as an editor, the power dynamic at hand is extremely important to keep in mind. Editors are often the people who are holding the keys to the literary kingdom, and what that means for the editor and author relationship is that the author is often at the mercy of what they think and find worthy. While the editor may not be the final deciding factor in terms of what is published, they are the first place a work lands and play an important role in what that work becomes and evolves into.
An editor not only potentially has the power to bless or trash someone’s masterpiece, they also have the ability and authority to change the work itself in order to bring a work up to the industry standard. The power dynamic at play here is important to keep in mind because an abuse or overexertion of the power of editing itself can lead to the author’s work losing its original intentions, ideas, or personal touches. I think about the work of Hubert Selby Jr., whose writing style is unconventional. While there are many striking facets of his work, one of the things that stands out the most from the books of his that I have read is the almost manic, run-on way that his paragraphs are structured. There will occasionally be paragraphs that go on for a page or two, and the way that he writes evokes certain emotion and feeling that I think is a product, at least in part, to this stream of consciousness style. If an editor would have edited that away to fit the conventional styles of the day or the publishing house, would the impact of his work be the same? Would it still affect people in the same way, and would they still be so moved by and drawn into his work? To keep the power balanced in this department, I think that it is the editors job to preserve as much of the author’s expression as possible while making the work palatable and digestible for readers.
I have thought a lot about the power dynamic at play here in terms of taking on authors and work, and the potential for gatekeeping that occurs in a position like this. This is something that I actually struggle with on a pretty regular basis in the job that I currently have, as I work primarily with new hires and frequently have to make decisions about individuals’ continuation with the company based on performance metrics. While I recognize the authority that I have been given with this position, I often find myself asking “who am I to make this decision?”. It can feel uncomfortable to control the outcome of a situation for someone else, especially when it is a decision that either costs or keeps them a job. While the industry that I am experiencing this in is completely different, I think the personal dilemma is rather similar, and something that I work to reconcile with when it comes up. I’m an extremely empathetic and tender hearted person, and before I make these decisions, I tend to think about how I would be feeling if I were on the flip side of things. While I understand, both in my current position and in my hopeful future as an editor, that not everyone or every story is meant to be, it still hurts my heart to think that I am the deciding factor on the direction that this person’s life or path could take. This is something that I’m sure I will continue to wrestle with, but I don’t necessarily think that is a negative thing, despite the fact that it definitely feels negative sometimes. Having this empathy, understanding, and compassion for the person on the other side of the relationship is important to make sure that the power is balanced. I do think I will have to watch out for being too soft hearted, and letting authors take advantage of the situation, but I would rather this be what I struggle with, rather than the alternative.
Reading Reflection #4
Both editing with a hard copy and with a digital copy come with their advantages, along with their own unique challenges. No one way or method is correct, like many other facets of editing, and both have their own place and time that they are appropriate.
I like the idea of working with a hard copy a lot as I think that there is something almost romantic about the idea of it. It is the same feeling that I have about books in contrast to kindles or ebooks. There is just something about the feel of a manuscript or book in your hands that you just don’t get with a digital medium. I appreciate the tangibility of physical copies, and think that it can feel more personal when working with something that you can put your hands on. It almost feels more like an art, this way. This method, in most cases, I would expect to be more preferable for the editor than the author. For an author, this method could be frustrating, unless they are handwriting their work or using a typewriter onto the pages themselves. If they are working in a digital format, the transposition from digital to physical could potentially be inconvenient or unwanted. As an editor, and for myself, I think that hand editing could be easier to follow. I know that when using the track changes feature on word, being able to see the changes sometimes makes it difficult to find what I’m looking for in the text. I find that the readability of changes being marked by hand is easier to take in and work with. Coming back to the author, though, these changes may be more difficult to make on paper. Say, for example, we have an author who is married to their typewriter, and wouldn’t change their writing medium for the world. If that change is to be made, it will take far more work to make the edit on the physical page than it would be in a digital format where a few keystrokes would take care of the job.
I think that the merits of using a digital medium are great, despite the lack of romanticism associated with a screen. There are so many digital tools that you can use to make the work easier or more efficient. Especially in the business of making the first pass edit on a document to correct punctuations, spelling, or other copy-editing errors, working with the digital page allows you the use of more tools that are easily accessed. On the other side of that same coin, though, is the lack of retention that comes along with those tools. Sure, you can hone your craft as an editor by not using these tools in a digital environment, but they are there at your disposal, and I think that there is the potential for better retention of editing knowledge when you are working with the physical copy. I have always been a paper and pencil gal when it comes to notes to help me better understand material, or remember important things, and I think that we lose some of that when we are working with Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
The ease of editing that comes along with a digital format is appealing to many authors and editors alike. The transport of these files is much simpler and almost instantaneous, with changes being an email away from their recipient. If you are working in a Microsoft Word document that you both have access to, the author can see the editor making changes in real time without the necessity for the exchange of documents. This can cut down on the time it takes to bring a manuscript to its final form, and can allow for collaboration between artist and editor from separate locations.
For myself, I think that a mix is what I prefer. I know that when I edit chapters of my husband’s work, I prefer to be working with it in a digital format so that he can see my changes easily, update them, and we can develop the work further efficiently and collaboratively. When I edit more short-form media, like a script, I prefer to have the paper in my hands and make edits on the page itself. Both methods have their merits, and to be proficient in both allows you to make the most out of any edit with any author.
Reading Reflection #3
In my estimation, the most important of these three paths, so to speak, is flexibility. This cannot come without the other two, but I find that because this path is so closely connected with the author, it should be first in the ranking. Editing is not just a job for one person to complete in a bubble. It is a relationship and conversation between the parties involved. It is a collaboration to bring a piece of work to its fully formed and final iteration. Flexibility makes this relationship possible, and allows the editor to adapt to the project, author, and circumstances at hand. Rigidity in the way that one edits can lead to conflict, and it has the potential to pigeonhole a piece of work or the artist behind it. If we as editors can allow ourselves to work with the work, and the person that created it, rather than against it, we are not only allowing ourselves to learn and grow, but we are also allowing what we are editing to grow with us.
Next in the ranking comes transparency. I understood this piece as the ability to communicate openly and honestly with the author of the work. This communication is so important to being able to come to an agreement on exactly what a portion of the work should be like, or to be able to communicate what you as the editor believe is important to bring a piece to its full potential. A major piece of transparency is having evidence or reason to support why an edit is being made. In the event that you as the editor pose a change, you must have grounds for that change, and transparency involves being able to present those grounds to the author. Receiving edits can be an extremely personal situation, and if not done correctly or with the right tact can lead to dissolution of relationships or working conditions. Transparency keeps lines of communication open, honest, and productive so that all parties can work together effectively. This can also be helpful in terms of time. If we as editors are transparent, and are able to discuss our edits in a way that makes sense to the author, the amount of back and forth that occurs has the potential to be reduced, leading to the work getting into the hands of the intended audience more swiftly, which is better for everyone involved.
Last, but not least, is carefulness. Without carefulness, we do not have a foundation to work off of. This is the path that the other two are built on, and it gives editors the tools to be successful in their editing. Saller references the edict of “do no harm” in editing, and I think that holding this idea as we edit can help us remain true to not only the rules and knowledge that we are coming into the edit with, but also to the piece that we are working on. This carefulness helps us edit to the best of our ability, and also requires us to trust that the author has written the piece to the best of their knowledge and ability as well. Just as with flexibility, carefulness is also important for the fostering of the editor and author relationship.
Job Analysis & Research
What is the position title that you’ve chosen to research & analyze?
I’ve chosen to take a nice broad route and decided to research a general editor position.
Paste the URL to the position posting.
Why does this position interest you specifically?
The editor position that immediately caught my eye was for the Washington Post. The position is for a multiplatform editor of their editorial department. I am a communicaiton major, and I have always had a connection to and interest in journalism. This is a style and form of writing that I am extremely familiar with and have a bit of a knack for, and think that this sector is one that I would want to make a career in. The Washington Post is a well respected, larger scale news organization that would be incredible to edit for. More interesting still is that the position is in the editorial department, which would mean being able to edit a wide variety of pieces and subject matter.
What site or sites did you access to find this position?
I used LinkedIn to find this position.
What search terms/keywords did you use to find this position?
I started with “editor”, then tried “editor book”, then “acquisitions editor”. Under each of these searches, this position was present.
What are the qualifications for this position? Do any of these qualifications confuse or surprise you? Why or why not?
The qualifications for the position were, as expected, centered more around print journalism. They included three years of editing experience for a larger news organaization, a test of the applicant’s copy-editing skills, organization, and time management. These were all relatively expected, especially the experience factors. One requirement that did surprise me at first, though, was the ability to work alone in off hours. This is something that I would be relatively well suited for as I have worked remotely for a midsize company located in Kansas City for the past four years and am used to troubleshooting things for myself, but for such a large and well established organization I thought that it was a little interesting. The position is also in house, so I would imagine that there would be access to resources available on site that would potentially eliminate a lot of this. I also wondered exactly what it means in terms of the position, and what the work/life balance would look like. I also did not expect the qualifications to be so light. For what I perceived as a relatively important position within the organization, I would think that there would be more.
What are the primary responsibilities (aka: job duties) of this position? How do these responsibilities help you think more critically about the position's title? (In other words, do the responsibilities listed seem like they fit your understanding of the position title or do the responsibilities seem to fit another position title? Why or why not?)
For the Washington Post position, the primary responsibilities are as follows:
Social media engagement across platforms (X, Facebook, Instagram, etc)
Copy-editing of materials using Washington Post specific style guides
Editing of all pieces for the Opinions desk, current and future
Design input for print news
Headline and caption writing skills that assist in drawing readers to the pieces on various platforms
The responsibilities outlined in this posting are on par with what I expected, although the emphasis on social media and internet traffic is definitely something that gives me pause. I think that given these responsibilities, the title of multiplatform is a little lacking. Especially since search engine optimization is something that is mentioned, I would think that there would be something in the job title that would allude to this being a major part of it. The “multiplatform” part of the title definitely gives the reader an idea of where they will be working, but I don’t necessarily think that the SEO and more marketing focused things fall as much under the label of editor.
How does one apply for this position?
You could apply through LinkedIn using an existing profile and résumé, or you could apply directly through the posting on the Washington Post website. Included in the application needs to be a résumé, a cover letter, and five to seven work examples.
If you wanted to apply for this position, what do you think it would it take for you to be qualified for it? (Reflect on the qualifications listed and whether you meet them, and if not, then reflect on what you would need to do/learn in order to meet them.)
I would definitely meet the basic qualifications of this position. I am great with time management and meeting deadlines, and have strong communication skills. I also am proficient with Microsoft Office after using it for work and for school, so platforms wouldn’t be an issue at all. What I would need, though, is a whole lot of experience. This position requires three years minimum working in a similar position or within the field, which is something that I do not have. I would need to not only build a stronger knowledge base of social media management, search paths, and marketing, but I would also need more knowledge surroudoing copy-editing.
What questions are you left with from the position description and directions?
One question that I have is exactly what kind of work samples would be appropriate. As this is the opinion department, would it be more editorial journalism pieces? If editing is what they are after, how exactly does one upload an editing work sample?
I am also curious as to the requirements surrounding search engine optimization. This seems as though it is extremely important to the position, but doesn’t really have much to do with editing itself. Why is this the primary responsibility of the editor, rather than someone that works specifically in this field or marketing?
Does this job search research/analysis make you want to apply to this position or another one(s)? Why or why not?
It absolutely makes me want to apply for other positions that would be considered more entry level. Since I am switching career paths and industries, I am not sure that my work experience would be considered relevant, and I think that it would make a lot of sense to potentially apply for some part-time editorial positions in hopes of getting my feet wet and learning more about the industry as a whole.
What advice would you offer to anyone who may be interested in a job like this and who may be starting their own search and/or application process?
While I’m not sure I am qualified for such a task, I would say that when it comes to a job search like this, don’t be afraid to apply for something that feels alien or that you may not meet every single qualification for. You may get turned down, but if you craft your resume in a way that speaks to the target audience, and highlight how you can be an asset to the company or organization, those missing qualifications may take a backseat to what you can offer. Additionally, doing research on each company before applying can help you understand what they are looking for in terms of candidates and help you stand out more.
Reading Reflection #2
I have thought since I began to consider editing or writing as a career that I would far prefer to be a specialist. After spending a year working in logging, I knew that I wanted to somehow center my career around nature, but in a way that benefitted it rather than destroyed it I knew that in order to do this, I would need some modicum of scientific education, but had to find a degree path that fit all the other pieces of my life at the time. I chose the path that I am on because one of my strongest skill sets is my writing, reading, and communication, and I wanted to be able to use them in a field that dealt with conservation, wildlife sciences, or environmental impacts and protection. From the jump I have known that finding a more specialized space to work in surrounding these things was my goal, and it wasn’t until recently that any other ideas or options had crossed my mind.
As I start my career in this field, though, I think it is not only realistic to be a generalist, but also what I would consider a good jumping off point so to speak. Even if you already have the knowledge necessary to focus more heavily on one facet or another, everyone has to start somewhere, and the experience with more general work may be good in terms of building a portfolio, ironing out issues, and learning how to navigate the field as a burgeoning editor.
Another aspect of being a generalist that is realistic and beneficial is the idea of testing the waters and finding where you fit. In the reading, the author discusses how they made their start in the industry as a generalist, and found a specific place in the medical field that they were able to operate in and make a home for themselves. What you think may be the best fit for you may turn out not to be where you truly want to be, and it can be helpful to have a broader range of skills and abilities in order to find that next, and hopefully last, space.
I don’t think that the generalist/specialist debate is warranted because they both have a place within the field. I believe that there will always be a place for generalists as having a broad skill set is something that can be sought after within many different contexts. Someone who has the ability to do several types of editing well may be a valuable asset for a company that doesn’t necessarily produce literary works or, for that matter, much written content at all outside of internal communications. There are plenty of people who need written work edited, but don’t necessarily need expertise on a subject of style. Instead, what they need is someone with a sharp eye, a strong command of what they are attempting to communicate, and the ability to make the message better. Specialists also fill distinct spaces that, in some situations only that specific person can fill. They have taken something that they love, that they are passionate about, or that they understand deeply, and made it their mission to be able to help others understand it more fully and with more clarity. A unique and well honed voice will always be necessary. Specialists contribute to specific areas in the ways similar to the contribution of scholars to academic fields of study. Their more micro focus allows them to see details or uncover ideas that may not have come through without their perspective and deep understanding of the material. While specialists and generalists have different roles to fill, both are important and vital to editing as a practice and serve the written word in different ways.
Reading Reflection #1
I tend to think of editing in a positive light. While I think that raw, unadulterated work surely has its place in certain settings, editing is important when providing information and ideas to a broader audience. This applies across all language mediums, from written works to radio broadcasts to films. If the intention of the author is to share information, stories, or thoughts with others, it needs to be digestible, understandable, and able to reach the people that could potentially connect and be impacted by the work. Editing is not only a source of refining, correction, and adherence to rules of language, but also a bridge. A quote by Jacques Barzun from the reading does a great job of illustrating this. He writes about how with other art forms, we do not assume that everyone has the innate capability to create these things just by the grace of their talents. Because most everyone has at least a functioning command of language, this is often taken for granted when it comes to the written word. It is assumed that everyone should be able to write well, and have their work consumed and understood. This is not the case, and even those who have well constructed ideas can encounter difficulty in putting word to page in a way that people are able to grasp. This is the gap that editing can help bridge, and why I think of editing in a positive light. It refines works in a way that makes certain ideas and concepts more accessible, and it can in turn help authors make adjustments in their own writing to be more accessible or understandable moving forward.
Whether editing is seen as positive or negative by people has to do with the intention behind the work itself or the editing taking place. Those who place value on rules, standards, and structure will see editing as a necessary and beneficial tool to ensure that what is published is up to par. Editing is seen as a positive light by many because of the collaborative nature of the practice. It is a creative process that begins with an idea, and editing is a formative step to make that idea something bigger than it started out as. Editing allows people to work together to create something that resonates with people across spectrums and divides. On the opposite side of the same coin, we have those who do not agree with traditional conventions or standards for whatever reason, and who find the editorial process structured around these rules to remove creativity and free expression. The reading discusses the component of editing known as selection, and this is a space that could easily be construed in a negative light depending on the standards at hand. It discusses the idea of the editor as gatekeeper, and this perception could be a valid reason for why someone would see editing negatively. What that editor gatekeeps from the general public or the publishing audience is sure to be based on, like I mentioned before, a set of rules. If these rules are unjust, or if they remove truth or credibility for the sake of idealogy, this gatekeeping could not only be perceived as negative, but also potentially dangerous depending on the severity of selection. When considering the idea of an editor as gatekeeper, the first thing that came to mind was mass media and news outlets. Does a news organization emphasize certain pieces of a story in their editing to add drama and generate ratings, creating more worry or stress than is necessary for the public? Do they downplay or minimize a situation in an effort to protect them from themselves? These editing choices have the potential to directly affect the lives of readers and consumers, and if done poorly, would surely lead to a negative perception of the practice.
I do think that the way that people perceive editing matters. The more widespread a negative outlook on the process is, the less credibility within society it has. This can have far reaching consequences and has the potential to lead to an erosion of trust in the process and the product. If this process is seen as something positive, though, it can foster a collaborative and creative environment. When we think of editing as something that can make our ideas more tangible and accessible, and that can connect us with others who value those ideas and want to contribute, it can create community and open lines of communication.
Week 1 - Introduction
A new journey unfolds.
Hey, all!
My name is Allyse Taylor, and my pronouns are she/hers/hers. I am a senior majoring in communication, and am on track to graduate in May. I chose this degree path for a few reasons, but the main one is that I want to be able to use my skills to create a career in a field that I am passionate about. I am a non-traditional student, and have been working in the private sector for the last 14 years. I currently work for a company that has taught me many valuable lessons and given me the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge, but that exists within an industry that I am not passionate about or interested in. I came back to school to open up my options, learn more about how I can use what I am good at to build a career, and to have the education necessary to pursue a different field.
I am interested in editing primarily because I love to read. I would love to edit novels and be a part of the publication process. My husband is an author, and in doing a rough edit of the first few drafts of his novel, I found that I truly enjoy the work and want to find ways to continue to do it, potentially turning it into a profession. In a perfect scenario, my husband and I would be a writing and editing team, but any opportunity to further this pursuit is welcome at this point. Aside from the work that I have done with his writing, I am fairly inexperienced as an editor and am very excited to learn more. Editing, to me, is a whetstone. It is a tool that one uses to sharpen and refine what is already a strong, solid tool. Without something to keep our tools sharp, they can become dull and ineffective. Editing helps writers keep their work relevant, organized, and understandable. Excited to see what this semester holds!