Negotiating the Writer Editor Relationship Successfully

In our May issue of Brevity , launched this past week, Amanda Le Rougetel reminds us that the writer/editor relationship, when approached with skill and respect, can be fully rewarding for both author and editor.



Le Rougetel writes:




At its best and most productive, the writer/editor relationship is based in respect and unfolds as a creative process that aims to realize the full potential of a piece of writing. Every writer stands to benefit from the input of a qualified editor; however, many writers fear the process, because they believe that comments equal criticism equal failure. 




Citing specific feedback from a recent essay edit, she adds:








This was revelatory for me, because it meant that the editor—a stranger to me—was taking my work seriously, that my writing stood on its own merit, and that it would be published but still needed some work. I was ready to do that work, but when I read the editor’s  “ fabulous ”  comment in relation to one sentence and  “ love this paragraph ”  in relation to another section, I was ready to work my fingers to the bone for this editor-stranger. This is what creative collaboration looks like: The writer being open to feedback, the editor providing clear direction on what needs work while also offering forthright praise for what is already working.




You can read the full essay and learn how good editors approach suggestions and corrections here: Writer and Editor as Creative Collaborators