Editing from the ground up

What’s in a name?

I’d like to address a misnomer… 💡

Other editors have flagged this before, but it’s worth repeating because it still crops up.

I’m talking about the tendency to refer to everything an editor does as ‘proofreading’.

It’s no mystery why this happens. ‘Proofreading’ is a common word in the right sort of area. In fact, I probably defaulted to it myself before I went into this line of work.

But to illustrate why it isn’t always the right word, I’m going to compare a document to a building. (Bear with me.)

🏠 Building: an architect designs it, builders build it, plasterers plaster, interior designers do their thing – and when it’s all up and running, cleaners spruce it up for occupation.

📝 Document: it gets planned or commissioned, someone drafts it, then it’s developed and redrafted (repeat as necessary), then line-edited and copy-edited – and finally, it gets proofread.

Not a perfect comparison, but you’ll see the parallels.

Ready when you are

The editorial support I personally provide is a pretty moveable feast:

• I can write something for you if you need me to.
• Or edit your rough notes or first draft.
• I can troubleshoot the tenth draft when you’re no longer seeing the wood for the trees.
• You can bring me in to copy-edit the almost-ready draft.
• Or ask me to proofread the ‘I-thought-it-WAS-ready?’ draft…

Back to that building now. Because it’s part of my job to enhance clients’ positive impact, whether social or environmental, I often make the most difference if I’m involved early on.

So you might get me to adjust the blueprint, or choose the furniture. But I’ll still happily take the bins out for you. (Just let me finish the paintwork first.)

Nailing it

Okay – now I’ve stretched that metaphor paper-thin, I’ll confess… I don’t actually mind all that much what people call the work I do.

What does matter, though, is that as people strive to produce texts that really capture their value and broadcast their positive message, they know I can support them from start to finish.

Putting together text for a positive-impact project? Need some help? That’s what I’m here for – get in touch!