A career as an editor is often a solo adventure, especially if you're a freelancer. So, we thought one way to better connect with fellow editors was to ask them to submit their responses to a set of questions based on the Five Ws: who, what, where, when, and why. Read on for some thought-provoking, enlightening tidbits from those of us who choose to work with words to earn our keep.
Please tell us a little about yourself, the kind of work you do (and where you live), and how long you've been an editor.
I live in Newmarket, Ontario, and I have been a freelance editor for over ten years. I work with independent and self-published authors from all over the world, as well as various publishing houses, and a women's health non-profit in the United States.
After graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) with a degree in journalism, I moved to Dublin and began my career at an Irish media company in the role of deputy editor. Since then, I have worked in communications and publishing, as well as digital marketing. In all of my previous jobs and current role, I write and edit, mainly communications materials that are meant for the public or the media.
I specialize in proofreading and copyediting, although I also take on some developmental editing projects and social media management. Last year I took a medical editing course to expand my skills and repertoire.
I'm also a prize-winning writer. My work has been nominated for a Best-of-the Net award, and has been featured in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Today's Parent, Canadian Living, The Endometriosis Foundation of America, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and numerous other publications. I'm also a contributor to several anthologies, one being the IPPY-award-winning Big: Stories about Life in Plus-Sized Bodies, edited by Christina Myers, which was included in the CBC's "40 works of Canadian nonfiction to watch for in spring 2020," as well as Life After Loss: Reflections on Moments of Grace and Courage in Grief, which was published recently by Wintertickle Press.
I'm proud to be a passionate patient-advocate in the chronic illness/disability and mental health communities. I write articles and personal essays to bring awareness to conditions such as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), chronic pain, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
Who: If you could edit one famous author, living or dead, who would it be?
Taylor Swift. To me, she's not just a powerful, relatable singer and genius business woman, but a poet (the tortured kind!). Her lyrics are always unique and clever, and her wordsmith abilities are frequently lauded as her greatest talent.
Even though I'm a Swiftie down to the bone, I would love the chance to sit down with her during her selection process when creating an album or a song and witness how she translates the scribbles in her notebook or phrases in her brain into music.
Does she let anyone critique her lyrics? Offer suggestions? Edit them? Does she have a trusted circle of mentors, musicians, or friends who provide feedback? Does she invite it? I would be so curious to know her process! Perhaps she alone makes all the decisions when it comes to her words because she's at this stratospheric place in the music industry and pop culture in general, but I think everybody needs an editor, a fresh set of eyes (or ears), when it comes to their art.
I'd also be interested to know if she uses a thesaurus, if she sends voice memos to herself so she doesn't forget possible snippets of lyrics, and if she reads her work aloud before putting it to music.
What: What is the one thing that has helped you the most in your career as an editor?
Connections. Interacting with other editors, either online or in the real world, has been such an educational and enriching experience for me. I've learned so much from editors who have taken the time to show me how it's done and to advise me on everything from the business side to branding to building my reputation.
Being a member of various Facebook editing and writing groups has been hugely beneficial as well. There's nothing like real-time queries and opportunities popping up to soak up knowledge and discover potential new clients. I learn a lot even just reading and observing different conversations in these groups.
With friends and followers on my social media platforms numbering in the thousands, I also get the chance to interact with other editors and writers on a daily basis. I'm mostly active on Facebook, but I also talk to editors on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok.
And of course, I subscribe to lots of editing and writing Substack publications.
Where: If you could work anywhere in the world as an editor, where would that be?
Ireland. Or New York. I can't pick. It's a toss-up! Both places feel like home, and an ideal place to work. I have Irish roots and lived there for seven years, so naturally I am drawn to the dynamic young writers who have come up through the literature ranks in recent years.
When: Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously questioned your career choice?
Yes. When I went through a "Covid separation" in 2020 and the world came to a sudden halt, and so did a lot of my freelance clients' budgets. Writing projects were put on the backburner. Maintaining a stable income and trying to be a financially stable independent woman was tough. But the flexibility and autonomy that the freelance editor and writer life gives me allows me to work in comfort from my own home, and as a person who lives with chronic pain, it's a huge advantage to work from bed sometimes, or take an hour out of my day for an appointment. Being my own boss is also great for my mental health and self-confidence.
Why: Why did you choose to become an editor? Or, should we ask: Why did editing choose you?
Just like writing, editing chose me. Why? I suppose because the written word has always been my favoured form of communication, and I love tinkering with it to make the magic of the English language more accessible to people. I'm good at spotting errors and typos, sure, but I also like to think I have a talent for recognizing what's not needed, as well as honing in on the essential question of "What is the story underneath the story?" In other words, what is the writer or client I'm working with really trying to say? What's most important? What can be cut? Is the voice or message strong enough? I feel privileged to be part of other creatives' projects—whether they be nonfiction books about the history of diabetes or articles that focus on the importance of women's health.
I also chose editing and have stuck with it (and come back to it) because I simply just enjoy it. It comes naturally to me, and I love seeing the potential in other people's words or copy come to fruition. There's also the fact it's mainly solitary work that can be done remotely. I'm not fond of office politics, challenging work environments, or public transit. Commuting three to five days a week is tough for me with my health history. I find editing remotely is much more accommodating. Setting my own hours and reporting to myself also benefits my mental health and cuts down on my natural tendency towards anxiety.
And, of course, we just had to ask the inevitable how: How would you sum up your motto?
Don't be afraid to kill their darlings. It's one thing to axe words from your own work to make it tighter and more impactful, but as an editor, I can't be afraid to suggest losing passages or words that don't add to the overall voice or message. Also, always deliver your work on time and be kind. The editing community is small, and word of mouth is everything. If you do consistently good work with a positive attitude, more editing projects will come your way naturally.
This article was copy edited by Keith Goddard, a freelance editor based in Toronto.
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