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Tooting the editorial horn: Editor's Notes #190
July 15, 2015
Hello,

If we have one overwhelming fault, its that we're far too humble about our vital role in quality control for the information economy. Three cheers and hurrah for all sorts of editors.
--Virginia Durksen


In this issue:

1. Tooting the editorial horn
2. Tickled my funnybone
3. Interesting Web site
4. Writing prompt

1. Tooting the editorial horn
This issue opens with a pull quote from an article in the Spring issue of Active Voice, the publication for members of Editors Canada, the new name for Editors' Association of Canada.

Reading the article made me realize that I almost never toot my own horn in this newsletter. Editor's Notes is, after all, supposed to be helpful to you, the writer. To that end, I focus on topics that I believe make you a better writer.

A really good writer knows the value of an editor. Here is a brief breakdown of what I, as an editor, offer you as a good writer:

Honesty in my comments.

Commitment to professional behaviour demonstrated by my membership in Editor's Canada.

A (long and getting longer) lifetime of reading a wide range of material that I draw on when reading a client's text.

Over thirty years as a classroom teacher that gave me daily practice in helping others take on challenges, change habits, and meet goals. What you may not know about Primary teachers is that they are never happy until a student reaches mastery. I carry that trait into my editing.

Training and experience with fiction, non-fiction, adult, young adult, and children's literature.

All of the above works out through the list below:

A thorough structural evaluation of your writing. That's what I call a substantive edit.

Tutoring that is based on your own writing. That's the educative edit.

Reworking your text. If you just want correct English, ask for a copyedit. If you want elegant, efficient, and powerful prose, ask for a line edit.

Research into publishers that may suit your book.

When you are ready to add an editor to your publication team, consider me.

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2.Tickled my funnybone
From a church bulletin: "Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you."

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3. Interesting Web site
The Editors' Association of Canada's Web site has lots of information for editors and their clients.
http://www.editors.ca/

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4. Writing prompt
I'm adding a new feature to each issue: the writing prompt. These prompts will vary to suit a wide range of writers. Use or ignore each writing prompt according to your own needs.

Here is the first one, inspired by the Spring issue of Active Voice.

Choose a short passage from a book you enjoy. Rewrite it as if you were a different author you admire. For example, take a passage from Robinson Crusoe and rewrite it as Stephen King or Louisa May Alcott or any other author you've read would write it.

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Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor
Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor

Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.)

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