Where Have All the Editors Gone?

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You may have heard it before, the writer tearing up their papers, exasperated at another rejection from that ogre, the Editor. Or, even on-line, in Triond you spit when your receive that, “Decline Notification.” Well, there is rhyme and reason behind it all, ego of the writer aside, it’s the wistful eye of the Editor. Being an Editor is a real skill – it is not a personal attack. The reason why we have such stellar works by Dickens, King and Wilde, is because of their Editors. This article is an ode to that much-feared role of an Editor. 

So Much Froth and Bubble

Take a look at this Web site or any Web site for that matter. Look around, what do you see?

• Unedited Blogs by the zillions
• “Interesting stuff,” by anyone and everyone
• Every,”Tom-Dick-And-Harry,” putting in their, “Two-Bob,” about how their navel hair looks or how they discovered the joys of coffee. 

And that is just the dilemma! There is just so much, “stuff!”  When was the last time you read something that was, well, beautifully written?

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It Came From Inside the Bookstore

As you read this and answer the last question, I am game to suggest that the last thing that your read that was elevating came from a bookstore, right? Something…beautiful, simple and clear. Something readable, enjoyable, edifying. Something that you just could not put down. That was probably a great book, from a publishing house with Editors, and off the shelves of your local bookstore. 

What Does An Editor Do?

The process of editing is important because they appreciate the power of words, thoughts and the health of the mind. The Editor also cares about what people read because they understand that the book, and the written word, has life and power. It’s not something to be taken for granted. What the Editor does, then, is improve the writers’ work before releasing it to world. The Editor:

• Reads the document and makes specific recommendations, often unpaid mind you. Then they send it back to the writer
• After correcting the work, the Editor takes the time to carefully re-examine (with special Editor’s marks) what is said
• The writer and the editor work together as a team.

 Us and Them

So many aspiring writers get their goat up with a belligerent attitude about it all. Often, the Editor, is cast as, “the Big Meany,” in the game. So often I hear the cry, “It was rejected.” God, you can almost see the blubbering face. This is not what goes on at all. The Editor is in partnership with the writer. A brilliant Editor is making sure the public get great writing; writing that inspires, invokes and even changes lives for the better. The Editor’s role is so poorly understood. 

Suspend Your Disbelief

If you are reading this, through the eyes of a writer, with all the world of wonder that is the Internet, take a moment and question what you are doing. Are the people who leave comments about your work able to carefully examine what you have written? Can they make judgements on the very value of the words that you publish? I would have to say, “No.” The only person, or people, who can do that are skilled, qualified and very careful Editors. It is a very important job that requires qualifications with some skill. 

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Conclusion

The Editors that I have met are usually underpaid, hardworking and damn fine people. It is what you might call a, “thankless task.” With so many ways for people to spin words in today’s world, the role of the Editor has become even more thankless but oh, so vital. Hopefully, this will change as people become educated and understand what a great job Editors do at bringing quality writing to the people of the future. 

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