Why Professional Writers Value Their Editors

When you hire an editor, he or she can help you refine your articles or book, so it speaks to one person rather than the masses.

(That said, don’t abdicate responsibility.)

It’s exciting sending in a manuscript to an editor, but opening a Word document filled with annotations, comments and suggested changes feels like a frustrating step backwards.

Many new writers brood about these slights and even feel sorry for themselves (I know because this is what I did).

They let a marked-up manuscript sit in their computer for weeks or even months before doing anything with it.

That’s a crucial mistake.

Here’s why:

When a plumber fits a toilet, they don’t view the toilet as an extension of themselves.

When a farmer milks a cow, they don’t throw a temper tantrum if someone complains about the milk tasting sour.

So why should writing feel any different?

When an editor criticises your work, it’s not personal. Their criticism is not a judgment on whether you’re a good or bad person. Get some distance from your work, and you’ll be able to evaluate your editor’s advice on its merits alone.

Please remember your editor wants you to write something their readers will love, and that’s what you want too, right?

So when your editor asks for more research, a rewrite or suggests cutting a section, put your ego aside and listen.

Restructure your writing, reorganise your thoughts and write something that captures the attention of your would-be readers.

Remember too that...

Great writing is rewriting

As Stephen King says:

"Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open."

You may write, review, edit and rewrite your book or blog posts many times. Or you may go through the editing cycle once.

So, take it sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph and chapter by chapter. As you self-edit and write (but not at the same time!), your book will teach you how to finish it.

While working on your second or third draft of a post or book, enlist the help of a family member, friend and ask them to provide frank feedback.

Later on, enlist a professional editor (and proofreader) and ask them to help you turn your self-edited draft into something you’re proud to publish.