The Purpose of the Editor
The way I see it…
The word “edit” for literary material means to prepare a piece for publication. Its purpose is to refine what is already written.
Sometimes the edit is a matter of clarification. The purpose of writing is to get a message across to the reader. Simple grammar/spelling mishaps ( we all make them) and the omission of photo/quotation credit are common. A solid edit will adjust those elements and/or contact the writer to do so. In Medium, the private note is commonly used from the editor to the author of a piece.
Checking format and links for clear information and working order ensure the piece is going to serve the reader in a positive, honest fashion. Scanning the submissions for pornographic images and plagiarism are other duties of the editor.
All the items mentioned above are important, elemental, and necessary. However, my personal opinion is the role encompasses so much more.
Encouragement and positivity.
I wrote a poem once and an editor to a publication just wrote “bad”. That changed me. I make many mistakes in my life -no one has ever told me I was “bad” in writing, behavior, or work. I am not above criticism. As a matter of fact, I welcome it. I often look to colleagues as a teacher and writer for their knowledge and wisdom. I live every day looking to my students and learning from them. I cherish my children for what they have taught me in this lifetime.
My point is, sharing your writing skills- no matter how elementary- is not “bad”. Someone may not agree with you and that is okay. Their point of view can then be shared in a positive fashion. The elementary grammar mistakes etc… can be adjusted. Your creative expression should not be dismissed by anyone. Your individuality is you. The language and semantics of it all may need to be made more clear, but the heart of the piece should not ever be diminished.
We write from the heart. Sometimes I rush through things in a flurry of emotion. It is not “bad”. I misspell, forget credit due, and ramble. It is a process. We are ALL in a process. It takes time and a focus to create.
Everyday. Everywhere. Globally.
Thoughts pop in and out of my mind- sometimes I write like that. Do you see what I mean? It is an expression. Writing is an expression. We would not be here in this forum if we did not want to learn and improve ourselves. We share information, glean experience and polish our lives through communication. The edit needs to be a positive experience for growth and learning from each other. We all need a sense of direction sometimes.- (I would be lost most of the time if I did not have a Verizon navigator on my phone)
Think of it this way- whoever is editing your work is LEARNING from you. Whatever you write is expanding another’s information on a multitude of sources. The reader s gaining service from you. Therefore, the edit needs to correct incidentals and scan for serious compromises. The editor needs to leave the writer with wisdom and hope to continue. The purpose is to grow in a positive way. The editor may redirect the focus to encourage the individuals' expression clearly for the reader.
Remember I mentioned the “bad” comment? Someone actually had taken that same creative idea from me and posted it as their own. So, it was not “bad” after all. We all have a duty to ourselves and each other to uphold the positives in our writing pieces, take constructive criticism with grace and move forward with dignity.
Expect to be challenged sometimes- it builds character and helps you to better yourself. Be wary of others, you can build your self-confidence in spite of the naysayers. Realize you are not alone. Keep driving up the path. It is beautiful.
Writing is a winding road. Change the negativity into a positive growth experience.
Remember to focus and reread your own work out loud before submission. How does it sound to you?
The “edit” is a tool used to assist the writer to express themselves to be easily understood. It should be used to help one move forward-not backward.
If truth be told, I have been on Medium for over a year and the most money I have ever made in a month was $6.57. I have followers, no one really reads what I write, but I write. I find a cathartic expression to release my mind and it pleases me. Alone.
I am good with it. Alone.
We all have strengths and weaknesses.
I try each day to work with my strengths and on my weaknesses.
I edit. I read. I write. I learn.
