Welcome to Week 10 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Editing. Love it or hate it."
As a writer, I've worn many hats. Feature story writer, correspondent, novelist, and short story writer. No matter the length, nor whether fiction or non-fiction, they all needed editing. Over the years, I've had other experience wearing the editor hat. I not only had to edit my work work, but I worked as an editor in a corporate environment. There it wasn't fiction, but corporate documents, presentations, catalogs, and marketing literature.
There are two main thoughts on the act of editing. You might think of it as a final polish, just making your good work better.
Then there is the other attitude. That you are ripping to shreds the story you just worked so hard to finish.
As to whether I love or hate editing? I think it depends on the time and the project. But no matter what, I know editing is a necessary evil.
~till next time, Helen
Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
Sometimes, I have to kick my ego to the ground long enough to listen, and incorporate, an editor's opinions and suggestions. It didn't take long to figure out that's how it works when you hire an editor.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on realizing what an editor is for and to be willing to work with them.
DeleteHelen, I was also a professional editor before I retired!
ReplyDeleteThere is a certain amount of resistance when I receive edits from my editors now, I have to admit!
After putting your sweat and sometimes blood into a project it is only human to be hesitant. I think the more you know about a field the harder it is to accept comments. I remember editing a scientific article and they wouldn't accept even grammar comments. At least until I proved I was capable of following the technical. Then they would at least consider my comments as long as I could cite source and logic.
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