Up Close and Personal: Why Edit?
1. I have bills to pay 😉
I may or may not make money on a piece of writing I produce, but I will almost certainly earn something for helping someone polish an academic writing for submission. Editing is a practical way of earning my keep!
2. Editing frees me up to write what I want to write! 😀
Every blog post, every social media comment, every product review…it seems that whatever you write these days is permanently out in the world. And everything you write reflects who you are…for better or worse. So I am careful. I don’t write for hype, for likes, or for the titillation of readers. I hope that pays off long term, but even if it doesn’t, I can rest easy at night.
3. I genuinely like reading what others have created 🙂
I enjoy learning new things, gaining insight into the ideas of another person, and participating in someone’s journey of writing something of significance to share with the world.
4. I like helping people!
As a teacher, I have guided countless students as they struggled to write for different purposes. Much of that was pro bono and on top of classes I was paid to teach…high school students typically have only enough change for a Coke and no more, anyhow. I enjoyed the process, and I enjoyed helping them grow proud of what they had produced. Bottom line? Every person I help empower to tell a story, present a project, or explain an idea is a win for me.
5. I value people <3
Editing for writers involves more than just writing and formatting know-how. It’s a people business. When I edit or comment on what someone has produced, I always remember to handle that process with care and respect. It isn’t true that those who can’t write, edit. In addition to writing skills, you need people skills to edit successfully.
