My Guiding Principle as an Editor
There is a golden rule among editors: do no harm. What does this mean? It means we correct grammar and improve flow, and offer suggestions about character or plot, but above all, we work to ensure an author’s voice and vision remain intact.
I will never make an edit because it just “feels right.” This is your book, your story. I’m just here to make it shine. And that’s my true guiding principle.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Making the right changes, ones that improve the story and help bring it to life, as well as being able to explain the reasoning behind these changes, is vital. This isn’t my book, after all, and if a client asks I want to be able to back up my reasoning for making the edit. It can’t be just because “I liked it better that way.” That would be inserting my own voice. That would be doing harm. Since my personal style and creative values likely differ, I need to be objective and consider the author’s intent.
For this reason, editors rely heavily on a myriad of resources. If in doubt as to grammar or usage or spelling, I look it up. Even if I’m sure, I look it up! And if it’s an either/or situation—because English is confusing like that sometimes—I look it up, then make a decision or defer to the already established style. I could do a whole other post about which resources I use and why, but here are a few of my go-to’s.
The Chicago Manual of Style: This is a mammoth tome that covers everything you will need to know about style, usage, and grammar, and it contains an in-depth exploration of the publishing process. While the online version is subscription-only, and the physical book pricey, they do have an online Q&A writers may find useful.
The Copyeditor's Handbook: This is considered a standard among copyeditors for good reason. It fully explores the ins and outs of this specific type of editing, all the way from grammar to best work practices.
Dreyer’s English: If you’re looking for an accessible and easy-to-understand guide to grammar and usage, look no further. By Benjamin Dreyer, the vice president, executive managing editor, and copy chief of Random House, you really can’t go wrong. Plus, his dry wit will keep you laughing as you learn!
Damn Fine Story: There are countless books on craft out there, and I have many others on my shelf, but I find this guide by Chuck Wendig very accessible—and very funny. He uses a lot of pop culture references to explain everything from structure to character (it would really help to watch Die Hard first if you haven’t), and reminds authors to not take things too seriously!
The Conscious Style Guide, The Radical Copyeditor, and Rabbit with a Red Pen Blog: All three of these websites explore how language can uphold harmful norms and stereotypes—and how we can change that through being conscious of the words we choose. These things are not always easy or comfortable to consider, but the breadth of resources contained here will at least give you an understanding of what conscious language is, and why many language professionals now consider it into their work.
SO, WHY DID I BECOME AN EDITOR?
Whenever I consider why I got into this profession, I am always brought back to a day in Kindergarten—it may, in fact, be my earliest memory.
I was sitting on the class carpet, on that little square of tape teachers used in an attempt to get four-year-olds to sit in an orderly manner. In my hands was a book, of which I don’t recall anything but the cover. Surrounded by a purple border was a king. He wore a deep-purple robe with a fur collar, and a golden, jeweled crown sat atop his dark hair. He was also reading a book. The same book as the one I held in my hands! Mesmerized, I stared at the cover, slowly realizing how the king on his cover would also be reading the book, and the king on that cover would be reading it, and the king on that cover ... You get the idea.
I link this moment to the beginning of my love of books. I remember feeling what I can only now describe as both awe and fear—amazed at what their stories offer, and fearful, in a way, of their power. Stories give us countless windows into other worlds, other experiences. They help us to understand and empathize, to teach and inform. And, of course, to entertain and bring joy.
I believe they truly have the power to change the world. And that you can be a part of that change.
A SINCERE THANK YOU!
This is why I take my job so seriously, and why I am always seeking to upgrade my skills. I believe you deserve an editor who is knowledgeable, who can act as your guide and champion, and who loves and believes in your story almost as much as you! That’s what keeps me going. So, thank you for helping me spend my days doing what I love.
Remember to always keep creating,
(Cover image by Heather Savard Photography)