How the Writer and Editor Relationship Works
Avoid Conflict by Respecting the Writing and Editing of the Story
Jul 22, 2009
Writers and editors ideally should work alongside each other as a team, giving and taking to create excellent stories, articles, or books, but sometimes the writer-editor relationship can become a dangerous land mine of emotions, especially when writers don't respect their editors and editors don't respect the writers' copy.
Guidelines for Writers to Follow When Working Alongside Editors:
- Writers should respect their editors.
- Writers should respect the copy for what it is.
- Writers need to accept coaching from their editors.
- Writers should provide any additional materials asked for by an editor: artwork, pictures, captions, rewrites, extra quotes, etc.
- Writers should be open to and available for consultation.
- Writers should let editors know of any part of a story, article, or book that they feel attached to or themes that should remain with the piece.
- Writers must defend their work without being defensive.
- Writers should only debate changes they feel strongly toward; allow editors to keep most changes.
- Writers need to be open to editors' suggestions and creative input.
- Writers must accept editors' ultimate authority.
- Writers should ask for a third-party mediator in cases of stalemates between writers and editors.
- Writers should ask to see a final version of the edited work
Guidelines for Editors to Follow When Working Alongside Writers:
- Editors should respect their writers.
- Editors should respect the copy for what it is.
- Editors need to coach writers, not boss them.
- Editors should inform writers of any additional materials needed for the piece: artwork, pictures, captions, rewrites, extra quotes, etc.
- Editors should consult writers throughout the editing process.
- Editors should approach the biggest issues and changes first before writers become too attached.
- Editors must negotiate changes with writers without bossing them.
- Editors should be sensitive to writers' work and allow writers to win some debates they feel strongly toward.
- Editors need to offer criticism but keep the writers' voice, writing, and story intact.
- Editors must make changes with confidence, but not without reason.
- Editors should accept third-party mediation if requested by writers.
- Editors should show writers the final version of the writers' work.
Overall, the writer-editor relationship is usually a pleasant one, especially when both work in respectful manners. Writers should primarily accept editors' authority and suggestions but not be too timid to question changes or communicate reasons for writing a certain way.
Editors should primarily be concerned with changing only what can be solidly defended (not making changes for personal preference or just for the sake of marking something) and consulting with writers for major changes to the work.
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