Sometimes when I’m interacting with a client, I notice them feeling hesitant, vulnerable, even anxious. My job is to constructively evaluate their writing, but they might see me as having the power to tell them whether they are a good writer, whether they have potential, and whether they've wasted their time on the current project.
It makes sense for clients to take my opinion seriously. Otherwise, why would they hire me? But, in the end, no other person—not even an editor—can definitively assign value to what someone has written. That’s actually up to the author!
What I can do is offer feedback that helps you recognize the strengths and weaknesses in your writing and feel motivated to keep moving toward your writing goals. Perhaps I can relieve you of some initial anxiety by listing certain things I would never say to you as my client, as well as things I will likely say as I work with you.
“You’re a terrible writer.”
I will never say this to you because I simply don’t believe it about anyone. Every writer is different. Some have perfect mechanics. Others play fast and loose with grammar and spelling. Some have carefully cultivated styles, others are simple and direct, others haven't learned their voice yet. Writers have quirks, sometimes unpleasant ones. But while some writers may have more to learn than others, there is no such thing as an intrinsically bad writer, in my book.
“I hate this story.”
I will never say this because I’m a sucker for stories. I even laugh and cry at TV commercials. So getting to read and edit your story is a privilege. Being an editor is like having my own secret library of stories that almost no one else has read! There may be elements in your story I don't like, and there will certainly be things I suggest you change, but trust me, if I hated your story, I wouldn't be putting all this work into it.
“This manuscript is worthless.”
Hardly any piece of writing starts out perfect. I can think of very few pieces of my own writing that I haven’t carefully revised—from emails to Facebook posts to this blog entry to that short story I’ve been working on since 2018. So I don’t see worthless manuscripts, only manuscripts to revise. When editing your manuscript, I look at it through the lens of all the hard work (and hopes and dreams) you’ve already poured into it. I approach it with the goal of making it become what you want it to be—no matter where we’re starting from.
Here’s what I will say (and if I’m not saying it, I’m thinking it):
What are your writing goals?
Some writers dream of their work being traditionally published; others haven't figured out what they want to do with their final manuscript. I've edited manuscripts by authors who never wrote a word of fiction until that project, and manuscripts by authors who have been writing copiously since they were teenagers. Some authors have a specific story to tell. Others have a specific audience in mind. How I interact with you and your manuscript is guided by an awareness of where you've come from and where you want to go. I do my best to move you a step or two closer to your goal—no matter what that goal is.
Here are some ways to develop the strengths and solve the weaknesses in your manuscript.
I carefully review your manuscript to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Then I offer you actionable ways to cultivate your strengths and improve your weaknesses. No manuscript is perfect, and that means there will always be things that an editor thinks should be changed. On the other hand, isn’t it great to have someone identify what you’ve done well? If I’ve done my job effectively, then the practical suggestions I offer will help you feel encouraged, motivated, and empowered to revise.
Keep writing! Your voice is unique and valuable.
Everyone deserves to have their voice heard. Some people choose to use their voice through writing. Having a voice and saying exactly what you mean so that people can respond to you as you truly are is integral to the human experience. That is why I will always tell you to keep at it (if you want to do so). I will always care about what you want to say.
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