Professional writers can be very particular when it comes to their work. Most choose their words carefully and deliberately. Technical writers are not necessarily creative. They tend to be experts in the specific fields they write about. A lot of these people, whose job it is to instruct and teach, get nervous when they see technical editors with their electronic blue pencils in hand.
Writers of scientific copy are often experts in the fields they write about. An editor has areas of expertise as well. Most have bachelor's degrees or higher in language, journalism and writing. It is the function of an editor to read first drafts of documents and correct punctuation, grammar, and improve clarity. They improve form and question possible inaccuracies. After the initial edit, the editor re-reads the copy to make sure all the corrections were understood and are in place.
One of the responsibilities of an editor is to consider the reader and what the reader wants from the document. This type of writing is informational in nature. Readers often skim the work in order to take from it the particular information they need. An editor is careful to make sure the document is structured in such way that it makes sense to the reader. An editor must ensure all necessary warnings and disclaimers are clearly defined.
Sometimes editors are also publishers, and other times they work directly for publishers. It is part of an editor's job to be responsible for meeting deadlines and keeping projects within prescribed budgets. They have to comply with all standards and practices. They also have to make certain documents being published are compatible with previous materials.
If editing interests you as a career, in addition to a good education, you will have to learn how to communicate effectively with the writing community. You must have reasons for your editing choices in case the writer challenges you. If possible, you should be involved in a project at its inception. It is easier to defend hard decisions when everyone is familiar with the goals of a project and committed to achieving them.
You might be a great writer, but rewriting another's copy to suit your own style is not your function as an editor. You have to take care not to change the meaning of technical copy. If you feel strongly about a change, base it on facts and research, not instinct. Relaying changes to writers in sections is often more efficient than sending the whole manuscript marked up.
Communication is key when you are working with writers. Having a respectful attitude is critical. You will have more success if you make suggestions instead of demands and improvements rather than obvious changes. Works that are collaborative efforts are more likely to be successful than those that are handled with frustration and anger.
Good editors serve important functions. They do not exist just to destroy the work of talented writers. When editors and writers collaborate, good things can happen.
Writers of scientific copy are often experts in the fields they write about. An editor has areas of expertise as well. Most have bachelor's degrees or higher in language, journalism and writing. It is the function of an editor to read first drafts of documents and correct punctuation, grammar, and improve clarity. They improve form and question possible inaccuracies. After the initial edit, the editor re-reads the copy to make sure all the corrections were understood and are in place.
One of the responsibilities of an editor is to consider the reader and what the reader wants from the document. This type of writing is informational in nature. Readers often skim the work in order to take from it the particular information they need. An editor is careful to make sure the document is structured in such way that it makes sense to the reader. An editor must ensure all necessary warnings and disclaimers are clearly defined.
Sometimes editors are also publishers, and other times they work directly for publishers. It is part of an editor's job to be responsible for meeting deadlines and keeping projects within prescribed budgets. They have to comply with all standards and practices. They also have to make certain documents being published are compatible with previous materials.
If editing interests you as a career, in addition to a good education, you will have to learn how to communicate effectively with the writing community. You must have reasons for your editing choices in case the writer challenges you. If possible, you should be involved in a project at its inception. It is easier to defend hard decisions when everyone is familiar with the goals of a project and committed to achieving them.
You might be a great writer, but rewriting another's copy to suit your own style is not your function as an editor. You have to take care not to change the meaning of technical copy. If you feel strongly about a change, base it on facts and research, not instinct. Relaying changes to writers in sections is often more efficient than sending the whole manuscript marked up.
Communication is key when you are working with writers. Having a respectful attitude is critical. You will have more success if you make suggestions instead of demands and improvements rather than obvious changes. Works that are collaborative efforts are more likely to be successful than those that are handled with frustration and anger.
Good editors serve important functions. They do not exist just to destroy the work of talented writers. When editors and writers collaborate, good things can happen.
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