What makes a good editor?
- Good IT skills with common word-based programs (most editing is done onscreen these days)
- Excellent command of your own language
- Good general knowledge and knowledge of some foreign languages, which enhances ability to spot errors
- Ability to understand concepts and ‘translate’ them into plain language
- Logical thinking
- Good memory
- Doggedness, being hard to bore, ability to stick to the task until it is finished
- Willingness to take on challenging and complex projects
- Reliability, punctuality
- Clarity, legibility
• Professionalism – making necessary but not capricious changes, not showing off, not belittling an author
• Good at estimating time and effort, and ability to negotiate reasonable terms
• Pleasant personality, polite but firm, easy to do business with
… and, above all,
• Judgement, judgement, judgement!
I edited Memoirs of an Iranian Rebel. Sounds simple enough. Except that I was asked at the same time to “cut it in half”.
When I received it, it was 400,000 words long. When I finished with it, it was about 225,000 words long.
The trick – the judgement – was how to cut: huge chunks? little bits all the way through? or some of both?