What type of editor do you like to be?

Question

I want to be listened to. I don't care if my ideas are not used (well, not much). I simply want the author to see my side of things. I have worked with four editors this year (I am married to one of them). They are four of the smartest people I know. I value their opinions. It would be silly of me to solicit critiques and then toss them aside...yes?

Answer 1

Are not you married to all?  Yes it would be silly to throw away good critiques, even ones that may sting but in the end are correct.  To me though, doing it tactfully is always the best option or if you are not being paid to edit, simply pass it by if you feel its that bad.

Answer 2

i like to show people how they can get the best out of their poem, i am very careful not to re - work, but  if i see a "picture" in their poem that's achieved by changing a word or rephrasing i will show them how i see it and I'm happy for people to do that to mine, in fact i prefer they do so i can get the meaning and and see it with their eyes.

Having said that i have seen people re work a piece so it fitted their image of what was written. Hopefully i have not done that or if i have it has been totally unintentional. I try to use as much as the authors own words as possible, most time it means, taking out excessive words.

Answer 3

I was a poetry editor for a major Canadian poetry journal for a while and enjoyed it immensely. So yes I would choose to remain a poetry editor. Only problem is I get frustrated with individuals that send me work that resembles that of a 6 year old. I mean hey we are all adults why not compose as such, use some common sense people , use punctuation that what it is there for.

Answer 4

Helloooooooo, "I want to be listened to." Is this not Yahoo!

I am thinking, anyone posting on here wants some sort of

attention! or they would not post here. The variables, of pos.

and neg. on here are immeasurable. No one is getting paid

to edit, So I would say lighten up, and do pass by what gets

up your nose, if one can't be civil to the read, The armatures,

of which I am one of, far out number the serious major poets.

I would say, bottom line, when and how you edit, check your human motives, before you use bloody red ink. Blessings Be!

I will never have the skills to be an editor, But from what I've

read, Copy cat, Max Perkins.

Answer 5

I like to be the type of editor who gets my authors to punctuate their work in a consistent manner.

Answer 6

I'm not experienced enough to feel that I could edit anyone else's work yet, I am still learning myself. But, as an amateur and learner, I do value other's helpful critique. There are the few rude comments, but the helpful, constructive critique outweights those...so I enjoy the editing of my poems that I get here.

Answer 7

I want my comments to be viewed as suggestions. I want the writer to keep their own style and not try to ape mine--or anyone else's. I want to remain focused on the quality of the work first and foremost. I want to have a good ear. I want to be able to connect with the pieces I read.

That's probably all of it.

Answer 8

You obviously have a great repoire with your editors.  My answer to Neonman's relevant question is the same for you.  I would be kind and civilized in my manner of critique.  Opinions do not have to be introduced with a sledge hammer.  A little bit of sugar goes a long way.

Answer 9

One that talks softly.

But carries a knobbly club.

Answer 10

I like semi-colons; I like them a lot.

Answer 11

Yes.

I like tpoys.

Answer 12

Any type. As long as I wasn't a Pr-editor.

Answer 13

Yes do appreciate your point especially if your married to one!  I guess that also can have advatages as well as disavantages!

As far as what kind of editor I would like to be is a good question, I guess I would like to be able to give good suggestions, and when being critical of something to do it in a way that is helpful and not demeaning of someones work!  Of course to be taken with some thought of what I had to say, and to have a good relationship with the people I edit for!  Yes that about sums it up!