When we write our first draft of any text, a sense of vulnerability hits us. Our capacity to word our intended content will be exposed, after all – together with our authorial voice; especially, if we are working toward the product of a literary genre. More the reason for us to be mindful as to how we compose that writing. Clarity, coherence and cohesiveness had better be on our side!
Writing and Editing, 22
An editor is a professional who must limit himself / herself to modifying only a writer’s words, sentences and paragraphs for the sake of clarity, coherence and cohesiveness. Once the editing process results in the sacrifice of the authorial voice, the edited draft is no longer the artistic creation of the writer but rather, the product of an overzealous red pen-user.
Writing and Editing, 21
“Once you’ve got to the end, and you know what happens, it’s your job to make it look like you knew exactly what you were doing all along.” ~
Writing and Editing, 20
“I have a confession. I’m a little OCD when I post on social media – I tend to edit more than I should. But then I started thinking, maybe we should all edit a little more – our posts, our thoughts, our words.” ~
I have the same confession. Hence, the appeal of this sentiment by Traci Lea LaRussa . . . I would, however, eliminate “maybe” from the equation and intensify “a little more” – because we all owe it to clarity and coherence, and should, therefore, edit our writings not only “a little more”, but rather more intently.
A Few Words of Gratitude
Today is not the only time when I am filled with gratitude for the trust a large number of authors have invested in me in working with them through their manuscript drafts – whether the task involved copy-editing or substantial editing. I am grateful beyond words. And then, when an author reaches out to express to me her / his appreciation of the work involved and the ensuing product, my gratitude is sky-high. Below, you will find the names of some of the authors I have successfully worked with. The titles of their precious writings follow their names. Please, bear with me while I “brag about” my professional dedication and commitment, but most of all, my labor of love toward the completion of each of these remarkable books. In front of you, dear reader, I wholeheartedly thank each of the authors whose names appear below for entrusting me with their creative writings.
[Please note: The list has been compiled in random order. As for the different genres, the titles represent a large variety which includes poetry, novel, memoir, prose poetry, single autobiography and a collection of autobiographical essays. My own literary work that has undergone my editing scrutiny has not been included here.]
William S. Peters, Sr. (Pulitzer Poetry Prize and Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ Day by Day; Think on These Things; Inward Reflections; This Is Why I Sleep; 7 Days in Palestine, and Eclectic Verse
Fahredin Shehu (Pulitzer Poetry Prize nominee) ~ Bonds; Neon Child, and HERENOW
Dr. John R. Strum ~ Of Cabbages and Kings; Opus 5, and As the Don Flows Down to the Sea
Demetrios Trifiatis (Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ An Aegean Breeze of Peace (co-author); Lessons Life Taught Me, and Whispers of Inspiration
Jackie Davis Allen (Pulitzer Poetry Prize and Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ Looking for Rainbows; Dark Side of the Moon and No Illusions
Mario Rigli ~ Words over the Ocean
Faleeha Hassan (Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ Mass Graves and Breakfast for Butterflies
Gail Weston Shazor ~ Lies My Grandfathers Told Me
Nataša Sardžoska (Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ Skin
Shareef Abdur-Rasheed ~ Poetic Snacks 4 the Conscious Munchies
Jen Walls ~ Tender Petals
Shirlee Hall ~ Circle of Light Revisited and Adventures in Consciousness
Frank Verkley (Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ Frankly Inspired. Volume I; Frankly Inspired. Volume II, and Frankly Inspired. Volume III
Laure Charazac ~ Voyages of a Loving Soul
Samih Masoud ~ Haifa, Burqa. A Search for Roots. Volume II and Haifa, Burqa. A Search for Roots. Volume III
Bassam S. Abu-Ghazalah ~ Bitter Love. An Image of the Palestinian Diaspora
Anwer Ghani (Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ A Farmer’s Chants
Lonneice Weeks-Badley ~ The Evils of Greed Is Not Your Root and The Essence of God’s Law of Love
Chukwu John David ~ African Dark Light
Tihomir Jancovski ~ The Noise of Loneliness
Langley Shazor ~ Tips from Taps
Barbara Coats Allan ~ Memories of You
Yasmeen Hamzeh (Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee) ~ A Small Revolt
Lana ‘LJ’ Joseph ~ God’s Radiance
Writing and Editing, 19
“Writing is like riding a bike. Once you gain momentum, the hills are easier. Editing, however, requires a motor and some horsepower.” ~ Gina McKnight
Writing and Editing, 18
“Editing is like pruning the rose bush you thought was so perfect and beautiful until it overgrew the garden.” ~
Writing and Editing, 17
“We achieve originality of style not by avoiding the influences of others but by blending them into a combination that has not been heard before.” ~
Writing and Editing, 16
“In writing, there is art. And in art there is craft . . .” ~
Writing and Editing, 15
“Remove the comma, replace the comma, remove the comma, replace the comma . . .”