The Snow-Covered Editor-Writer Relationship

This weekend, my mom got on me about not shoveling the snow off my driveway after the Midwest was pummeled with 12 inches of winter wonderland-ness. My response? “We have 4-wheel drive. Why do we need to shovel?”

I’ll spare you with the ‘you should think of others’ lecture I received after she tried to pull her little car in my driveway and move on to what the conversation inspired me to think about – Editor and Writer Relationships.

So often, editors get frustrated and overwhelmed by what they think writers lack. The common thoughts include “They should know AP style as well as I do” or “Why can’t writers just spout off a lead like I do?”

The reality is that every writer has his or her own strengths – just as editors do. The problem is that we tend to get caught up in a narrow “I do everything right – they do everything wrong” snow-covered mindset.

Since I teach writing and advise a student newspaper, I view every moment of the writing and editing process as a learning opportunity. Writers are learning and yes, they should improve as they write more, but they also need coaching. If an editor is unwilling to coach and a writer is unwilling to listen (or even acknowledge constructive criticism), the result is not going to pretty … or productive.

Editors – if you don’t like the lead, show the writer how to improve it. Writers – if you don’t like seeing endless drafts with bloody, red marks, inquire about what you need to improve. It’s not about who wins the battle – it’s about what is best for the publication and the readers.

The relationship will only improve with work from both sides. Even though it is not always fun in the beginning, I guarantee that as both parties work together, the story will improve. And … you just might reduce your stress level the next time you work together.

The editor-writer relationship is similar to the relationship I have with my mom. She gives me her advice (or order) and I mull it over – sometimes irritated, other times oblivious to the truth in her message. But ultimately, I have to weigh whether or not her message has merit, if it will improve who I am and the actions I take.

And now, I will reluctantly go shovel my driveway because unfortunately, not everyone has 4-wheel drive.

– Shannon Philpott
Blog Entry: Jan. 23, 2011

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