Long Live Good Writing!
In 45 years of professional writing and editing, you could say I’ve learned a thing or two. You might be surprised, however, that I’m still learning new things. Despite my longtime experience in journalism and public relations, it’s challenging to edit my and others’ work. I repeatedly learn the importance of the basics of good writing and the vital role of excellent editing: Spelling and word choice, attention to detail, punctuation and sentence structure, the key role of research, and working knowledge of Associated Press Style. My editing tips and tricks have helped me attain a standard of excellence in my work. I’m happy to share them with editors new and experienced so that you can brush up on your skills. Do your homework This is a basic but important skill. The only time I’ve experienced writer’s block is when I didn’t do enough research. A good writer learns to ask the right questions; a good editor knows when to go back and ask more questions. Copy editors in particular understand the commitment to confirm facts and ensure a good final manuscript. Identify credible sources and pursue them, whether it means public records for the right facts or reading trade journals for the proper jargon and terminology. Double-check everything. Do enough research so that you write and edit credibly. Both your clients and readers will benefit. Check your spelling twice As an editor, it’s easy to ensure a manuscript is free of spelling errors using built-in tools like spell checkers. The best editors look up new words to understand their definitions and use. Good writers and editors read everything possible to improve their vocabulary. Variety is critical. Use the thesaurus to identify different words for the same idea. It can add vibrancy and punch to your prose – or the prose you’re editing. Grammar is boring The reality is, very few of us are big fans of the rules of grammar. I remember diagraming sentences in elementary school as excruciating, dull and seemingly pointless. That said, a mastery of grammar is critical for professional writers and editors. Tools such as Grammarly come at a cost, and they are helpful only when you are polishing a piece of already-good writing. If you need to, view some grammar videos on YouTube, take a few grammar books out of the library, and study online tutorials. A grasp of basic grammar will be invaluable in your writing career and make you a sought-after editor. Punctuate properly As your work is published, you’ll find that you’ll develop a style of writing that’s all your own. Until then, knowledge of punctuation, sentence and paragraph structure, and use of quotes are things you can pick up by reading good writers and excellent publications. While the Wall Street Journal is recognized for its outstanding business acumen, its feature writing is truly excellent. Real Simple may be known for its tips for housekeeping and organization, but its pages include useful and well-edited ideas for daily living. People Magazine may cause eyerolling among purists but its personality profiles are absorbing. You can find good writing almost anywhere. Keep reading. You’ll see how the semicolon, when used correctly, is a sublime addition to almost any piece of writing. You’ll learn the proper place to put commas and learn about the judicious use of precise words. Editing for publications means you’ll have to edit quotes based on your interviews and research. Learning to identify the key elements of a quote, quoting story subjects accurately, and pinpointing the proper placement of quotes are all important elements in your writing and editing repertoire. Learn from my mistakes I’m proud of my career, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to some pretty stupid errors. Some of them have cost me a client or at least prompted an editor to yell at me in the middle of a busy newsroom. My most embarrassing error is misspelling people’s names. You probably are thinking, hey, spelling a name right is one of the first lessons we learn in Journalism 101 – and you would be right. It’s a weakness, nevertheless, that I struggle with every day. Most mistakes, including proper spelling of people’s names, come from a lack of communication. Misunderstandings about deadlines, assumptions about a publication’s style, a mistake on a client’s invoice – all of these stem from a lack of clear, consistent, professional communication and they are all avoidable for the best writers and editors. In conclusion… Take it from me: Master the basics, don’t assume, over- rather than under-communicate with clients and story subjects. Especially when editing, ask more questions. Take more time working on the story lede. Let a piece of writing rest for a while and then read it again to polish and edit. You won’t regret any of these, though each tip requires extra time. Take the time and do it right. You can thank me later.
1 Comment
Kerry McCarthy
6/15/2023 03:01:47 am
I've learned enough to know that wise writers understand good editing is essential. Thank you so much for the valuable tips.
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