Not Your Everyday Kind of Editor—Part 2

When I think about how my personal characteristics match those of an editor, several things pop out at me. For example, my college roommates thought I was crazy for my almost obsessive interest in the course registration process. I admit it's weird, but I really enjoyed selecting different classes and arranging each time offered within a schedule. I always know the registration options become available and have been known to configure schedules for friends. I think this quirk shows I have a knack for details and don't become overwhelmed in very specific, detail-oriented processes. Combing through details is one task I enjoy and is what attracts me to the copyediting aspect of editing. Additionally, my writing background demonstrates my love for words and ability to communicate effectively through them. "The Copyeditor's Guide to Substance and Style,"offers other characteristics editors have when it states,

"Most editors share common traits—a love of the written word, an appreciation of language in all its richness, a desire to see order emerge from chaos in the form of a manuscript that sings or speaks from the heart," (page 2).

My detail-oriented characteristic also relates to the production process, although the situation is a little different. In copyediting, you take a completed text and break it apart into paragraphs, sentences, and words; whereas at the beginning of the production process, you start with nothing and combine the headlines, articles, and photographs to create the publication. While the processes are different, I really enjoy both. In "The Layers of Magazine Editing," Michael Evans describes an editor's job at the beginning of a publication process, and he highlights an aspect I really enjoy. He says,

"Every issue of every magazine begins as Emptiness and Nothing, and it is the job for the editor to replace that blankness with scintillating articles, compelling photos, and catchy ideas that will keep the readers coming back again and again," (page 109).

I think it is really exciting to sit down with whomever I am working with and brainstorm possibilities for the next publication. So many factors affect not only the stories that get printed but also every characteristic of each story, such as the angle or intended audience. Again, this relates back to giving attention to every detail and being able to sort through what I have and figure out exactly what I need. Although the process sometimes requires a lot of work, it really is rewarding to see everything come together, piece by piece, until there is a final project—a publication you are proud to have been a part of.

See Not Your Everyday Kind of Editor—Part 1