EditorWriter.org » edit http://editorwriter.org For freelance editors and, yes, writers. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:53:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 For New Editors: The Gentle Art of Feedback http://editorwriter.org/2009/editorial/for-new-editors-the-gentle-art-of-feedback/ http://editorwriter.org/2009/editorial/for-new-editors-the-gentle-art-of-feedback/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:58:12 +0000 Joe Wallace http://editorwriter.org/?p=74 how to edit your writersIt’s one thing to make the edits to someone else’s copy…it’s quite another to give them feedback about the changes you’ve made. In my experience, hitting the writer with a newspaper and calling them a moron is quite satisfying, but seldom ever productive. So how do you train a writer to stop abusing the apostrophe, avoid run-on sentences when quoting sources, and stop using passive voice?

I think it’s a very good thing to save the original document, make your changes and show the writer your alterations back-to-back.

If you have time to demonstrate why you made your edits, the writer can see quite clearly how the newly corrected piece makes more sense, flows better, and gives the reader something clear and concise.

Unless you suck as an editor, of course. But we’ll assume that’s not the case. Whenever you have time to mentor your writers, do it. The rewards are not far off.

]]> http://editorwriter.org/2009/editorial/for-new-editors-the-gentle-art-of-feedback/feed/ 0