Comments on: 5 Lies Writers Believe About Editors

By: mmSeason

mmSeason — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:13:08 +0000

Heather, it’s interesting to hear your experience as it gives us both sides AND the middle, as it were. My own only try at editing was on a local newsletter, wholly volunteer-based, and while i took the product seriously, nothing got turned down as we were grateful for any contribution – which must be why it didn’t turn me grumpy. ;) I thoroughly enjoyed my stint and would love to do something similar again. I can see i was spoilt, having only the artistic decisions to make and none of the unpopular ones.

The hardest part of that job was chivvying people to write for the next issue; the most creative part was making the various, very unprofessional reports worth reading, and each issue feel like a satisfying whole instead of a random pile of reader’s letters. I’m a long way from changing my mind about wishing to do it again in future, but perhaps i’m more realistic now about needing to be picky if a role of that kind comes along.

By: Heather Plonchak

Heather Plonchak — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:15:54 +0000

So true!!
I started out as a news writer almost ten years ago and love it. About four years in, I was promoted(?) to editor of the paper I worked for. After three very very long excruciating years of editing, I am now happily writing again. You are absolutely correct when you say that being an editor requires a certain level of ego. As far as #4, you are also correct, being an editor does change us and it does make us ill-tempered. I can honestly say that having taken what the rest of the world would view as a demotion, I could not be happier to be out of that position.
On the other hand, editors are a necessary evil that writers must deal with, and a world without editors would be a frightening place. I am thankful for my editor even more after reading this, and I must remember to thank him for all he puts up with. I must also remember to ask how it is that he manages to smile so often.

By: In the Blogosphere: 1/4-1/8 « Ricki Schultz

In the Blogosphere: 1/4-1/8 « Ricki Schultz — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:47:25 +0000

[...] On his Web site, science fiction writer, photographer, Web designer, and editor Jeremiah Tolbert dispels five lies writers believe about editors. [...]

By: fritz freiheit.com blog » Link dump

fritz freiheit.com blog » Link dump — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:57:20 +0000

[...] JeremiahTolbert.com � Blog Archive � 5 Lies Writers Believe About Editors (Writing,Edi… [...]

By: Geek Media Round-Up: January 7, 2010 – Grasping for the Wind

Geek Media Round-Up: January 7, 2010 – Grasping for the Wind — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:12:56 +0000

[...] Jeremiah Tolbert debunks 5 Lies Writers Believe About Editors. [...]

By: The Great Geek Manual » Geek Media Round-Up: January 7, 2010

The Great Geek Manual » Geek Media Round-Up: January 7, 2010 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:06:54 +0000

[...] Jeremiah Tolbert debunks 5 Lies Writers Believe About Editors. [...]

By: Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:18:34 +0000

Ah, you gave away the “buy an editor a drink” secret…. And just btw, most authors drink copious amounts of alcohol, too. So for those of you who can’t find an editor in a bar, find an author.

By: Editrix

Editrix — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:03:37 +0000

I see your Mark Twain, and raise you a T. S. Eliot:

“Some editors are failed writers–but so are most writers.”
–T. S. Eliot

By: Hilary Wagner

Hilary Wagner — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:48:26 +0000

I feel so lucky to have my editor, especially as a debut author. She has brought my first novel to a whole new level and I can only pray I get to work with her again! I have learned so much.

Great Post!

xoxo — Hilary

By: rob

rob — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:59:46 +0000

I can see the problems editors must go through nowadays, especially since in my uni alone im probably competing with 100 people to be the best. Let alone those older and more experienced, those on forums, on blogs, etc…yeah. It’s alot of crap perfectly demonstrated by writing forums every day. (Yeah. That includes me)

One thing that does gripe is sometimes not hearing back at all from an editor. A rejection slip would be nice, without it almost feels like Im floating in the dark.
But yeah, not a big gripe.