8 answers
Ray
Student
Manalapan Township, NJ
19
Questions
Asked
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What is your favorite type of writing to edit?
And why is it your favorite?
#editing #publishing #writing
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8 answers
Joshua Grochot
Loss Prevention
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Joshua’s Answer
Ray,
For me, editing fiction is more interesting because it’s part of the creative process. But wether it’s fiction or non fiction editing can be rewarding. Sometimes, I find, it’s best to revisit a piece after a day or two after completing. When you return and reread, often it’s that little break that helps you see where you may need or want to make changes.
Also, it’s always helpful to ask someone else to read what you’ve written prior to editing. It’s allows you to get feedback from a different perspective. Most importantly, don’t be afraid of constructive criticism, I find it very helpful to hear what I need to work on, it makes me a better writer.
For me, editing fiction is more interesting because it’s part of the creative process. But wether it’s fiction or non fiction editing can be rewarding. Sometimes, I find, it’s best to revisit a piece after a day or two after completing. When you return and reread, often it’s that little break that helps you see where you may need or want to make changes.
Also, it’s always helpful to ask someone else to read what you’ve written prior to editing. It’s allows you to get feedback from a different perspective. Most importantly, don’t be afraid of constructive criticism, I find it very helpful to hear what I need to work on, it makes me a better writer.
Nadina P
Editor
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Nadina’s Answer
Hi Ray,
I think the better questions is what is YOUR favorite type of editing, and why. I've edited many genres at various stages, and I've found that there's plenty to love across all of these, and so I'm going to treat this question as "how do I find the best thing for me."
That said, a good way to figure out where you want to be is to think about what feels natural to you, and to branch out into other things and really pay attention to how it makes you feel. When I was in high school, I loved reading and writing fiction; unsurprisingly, I loved editing it, too. I began my career at the start of the Great Recession, and that meant that to stay in the industry I had to do a lot of different things. This ended up being good for me, because I tried things I never would have--college level textbooks, medical publishing, business books, children's books, etc. It also meant I got to try my hand at acquiring (getting new projects), writing articles (though I did only a little of that), development editing, copyediting, proposal writing, technical writing, and proofreading. With such a broad history, I was able to figure out what roles I wanted to be in and in what genre, and it gave me enough experience to do a wide range of things. Many book publishers don't allow this, so it's truly special that I was able to jump around. Without that broad history, this would not have been possible. I would have been like many book editors--stuck in one thing. That might have been fine, but I would not have ever been sure of what I wanted most, and I would have always wondered as a result.
That said, the best thing to do is be open-minded and try your hand at every kind of opportunity you can get. Sometimes, this is easy; high school and college newspapers are a good start. Many blogs and other such publications are always looking for unpaid editors, which is a good thing if you're still in school. If you can get a writing center job, do it. Basically, if someone is willing to let you try something, take them up on it to see what you learn and how you like it. It can be a lot of work. Sometimes, it's a little demoralizing, and sometimes, it's fun. But one thing is certain: you'll always surprise yourself, and you'll come out with a better understanding of who you are and what you can do.
I also love that you're asking these thoughtful questions so early on in your adventure. Keep doing that! Find anyone and any community where you can do that, and take advantage of it as much as possible.
Look for opportunities to try different things--stay open-minded
Keep asking questions
Don't be afraid to take risks
Unpaid work when you can afford it will help you get paid work when you need it, so do it
Read and write as much as you can in different styles and genres
I think the better questions is what is YOUR favorite type of editing, and why. I've edited many genres at various stages, and I've found that there's plenty to love across all of these, and so I'm going to treat this question as "how do I find the best thing for me."
That said, a good way to figure out where you want to be is to think about what feels natural to you, and to branch out into other things and really pay attention to how it makes you feel. When I was in high school, I loved reading and writing fiction; unsurprisingly, I loved editing it, too. I began my career at the start of the Great Recession, and that meant that to stay in the industry I had to do a lot of different things. This ended up being good for me, because I tried things I never would have--college level textbooks, medical publishing, business books, children's books, etc. It also meant I got to try my hand at acquiring (getting new projects), writing articles (though I did only a little of that), development editing, copyediting, proposal writing, technical writing, and proofreading. With such a broad history, I was able to figure out what roles I wanted to be in and in what genre, and it gave me enough experience to do a wide range of things. Many book publishers don't allow this, so it's truly special that I was able to jump around. Without that broad history, this would not have been possible. I would have been like many book editors--stuck in one thing. That might have been fine, but I would not have ever been sure of what I wanted most, and I would have always wondered as a result.
That said, the best thing to do is be open-minded and try your hand at every kind of opportunity you can get. Sometimes, this is easy; high school and college newspapers are a good start. Many blogs and other such publications are always looking for unpaid editors, which is a good thing if you're still in school. If you can get a writing center job, do it. Basically, if someone is willing to let you try something, take them up on it to see what you learn and how you like it. It can be a lot of work. Sometimes, it's a little demoralizing, and sometimes, it's fun. But one thing is certain: you'll always surprise yourself, and you'll come out with a better understanding of who you are and what you can do.
I also love that you're asking these thoughtful questions so early on in your adventure. Keep doing that! Find anyone and any community where you can do that, and take advantage of it as much as possible.
Nadina recommends the following next steps:
Daniel Moore
Creative Services Director
7
Answers
Devine, Texas
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Science Fiction, Especially if it's based on real, ground breaking, Scientific Research and Evidence.
Mostly, because I LOVE the genre.
Mostly, because I LOVE the genre.
Susan E. Oser
Contributing Writer at Vape Magazine
74
Answers
Westland, Michigan
Updated
Susan E.’s Answer
I personally do not have a favorite type of writing to edit. However, I do love helping those who really could use the help or have an extra set of eyes to get the job done. I know quite a few writers I've helped over the years, and just doing that small favor makes a difference and it feels like I'm being of service to them.
Bruce Overby
Business Operations Manager
11
Answers
Los Altos, California
Updated
Bruce’s Answer
Ray... First off, there are many kinds of editing, and books have been written on that topic, but I'll point out three key variations: 1. Editing your own work--which often amounts to rewriting; 2. Copy editing, which is a light touch, reviewing for grammatical errors, factual errors, stylistic issues within a given domain, etc.; and 3. Developmental editing, which is where you have a heavy hand and are able to strongly influence and even reshape the material in collaboration with the author. Your question indicates to me that you're asking about editing other people's work as opposed to your own, so this answer assumes you're interested in commentary about copy editing and/or developmental editing. If I'm wrong, feel free to disregard the following. Also, disclaimer: I've done very little editing of fiction, but have edited a lot of nonfiction and technical writing, which may color my answer.
I find editing nonfiction and technical material much easier because the styles in these kinds of writing tend to be more rigid. Though long-form journalism and creative nonfiction can certainly provide many exceptions to this rigidity, editing material that provides for less creative license is generally easier, though it might be less interesting or rewarding, depending on the kind of experience you're looking for. Creative material, and particularly fiction, in which the author is literally creating a world out of her or his imagination, allows an infinite number of possible intentions, conventions, and creative directions, so editing this type of material can take you into the futility of trying to read an author's mind. You of course address this by talking to the author to better understand their intent, but this can be challenging, and the roles of editor and collaborator often become blurred, which can make the editing process uncomfortable. Having said all that, there are many authors who want just that kind of relationship with an editor, and many of these collaborations are hugely successful over long periods of time. For me, though--and particularly if you're just starting out--the clarity and discipline of editing less creative material is more efficient and more rewarding, and requires less time, effort, and emotional investment. In addition, I believe editing nonfiction and technical material is more lucrative, though I haven't made an exhaustive study of that.
Check out some good books on the subject, such as https://books.google.com/books/about/What_Editors_Do.html and https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Copyeditor_s_Handbook.html
Reach out to some professional editors to better understand what they do and how they do it.
I find editing nonfiction and technical material much easier because the styles in these kinds of writing tend to be more rigid. Though long-form journalism and creative nonfiction can certainly provide many exceptions to this rigidity, editing material that provides for less creative license is generally easier, though it might be less interesting or rewarding, depending on the kind of experience you're looking for. Creative material, and particularly fiction, in which the author is literally creating a world out of her or his imagination, allows an infinite number of possible intentions, conventions, and creative directions, so editing this type of material can take you into the futility of trying to read an author's mind. You of course address this by talking to the author to better understand their intent, but this can be challenging, and the roles of editor and collaborator often become blurred, which can make the editing process uncomfortable. Having said all that, there are many authors who want just that kind of relationship with an editor, and many of these collaborations are hugely successful over long periods of time. For me, though--and particularly if you're just starting out--the clarity and discipline of editing less creative material is more efficient and more rewarding, and requires less time, effort, and emotional investment. In addition, I believe editing nonfiction and technical material is more lucrative, though I haven't made an exhaustive study of that.
Bruce recommends the following next steps:
Sarah Goff-Dupont
Writer
5
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
As a writer of non-fiction, I prefer to edit non-fiction as well since that's in my comfort zone. But more than the type of writing, I enjoy editing most when the author gives me a lot of freedom to just make changes directly. Some people will ask you to drop comments and suggestions, which is fine, but... the back n' forth gets tiresome IMO. But knows: you might find that you really enjoy the back n' forth. So next time you have a chance to edit something, I suggest clarifying what kind of input the writer wants from you. Regardless of whether they want suggestions or direct changes, having agreed on that up front will make the whole process go more smoothly.
William Grabowski
Writing and Editing Professional
7
Answers
McMechen, WV
Updated
William’s Answer
As a full-time writer, I enjoy all levels of the editorial process: developmental/conceptual editing, copy-editing, final line-editing, to vetting manuscripts and page proofs. You might be surprised (as was I!) to hear that even after your hard-won effort is accepted for publication (in New York City and elsewhere), additional work will be required. Industry professionals are human and can make mistakes—some of which infiltrate your short-and/or long-form writing. From raw creation to polished final product—nonfiction book, novel, novella, short story, poem, etc.—your undivided attention is demanded. Remember: even your dreams must work. Like children, they must be nurtured and loved.
Rachel Siemens
Product Marketing
5
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Honestly, I like to edit anything really aside from poetry. In my experience, having a positive experience during the lifecycle of a piece is only partially about the content. As a writer, we often forget that once your work reaches the editor the process becomes collaborative. If you can find someone who is thoughtful, takes constructive criticism well, and is interested in a partnership with their editor, then I guarantee you'll have a great time regardless of genre or style.