What Does a Smooth Collaboration Between a Writer and an Editor Look Like?
By Guest: Sherry L. Granader
I love this question. If you put a writer and editor in the same room and asked them, I have no doubt they would agree that it would be good communication. After all, they are both working toward the same goal: to create first-rate content that engages the reader. To do this effectively, writers and editors must communicate with each other regularly with respect and honesty so they can work through their differences smoothly and find some common ground.
As a ghostwriter, I am always grateful when the editor asks me about a passage or section in the manuscript before making edits. It allows me to explain my reasoning, or how the author would say it. While that needs to be taken into consideration, there are times when it can make the author look unpolished or unprofessional. In that case, we may need to fine-tune the language to make the author look good to the reader.
Instead of working against each other, we can find a harmonious relationship to help us produce a high-quality manuscript that connects with the author’s intended audience. In other words, the editor must respect the writer’s vision rather than sweeping through the manuscript and making massive changes, turning it into something completely different. For example, suppose the editor has a more serious personality. In that case, the instinct might be to eliminate any jokes or puns that may be amusing but divert the reader from the point.
The ghostwriter and editor must consider whether the edits align with the author’s audience, vision, and message. Turning the manuscript into something contradictory to the author’s purpose for the book can cause arguments and continued friction. Let’s not lose sight of the big picture. We must ask ourselves if we are helping or hindering the reader’s experience and if it makes sense.
For example, when editors make edits or changes, they must ensure they communicate those edits so that the writer and author understand them. If there is confusion about an edit, the author can become stubborn or defensive and dismiss the edit as irrelevant. Adding detailed notes with a statement such as “Shorten this paragraph,” as an edit because the author alluded to it a few pages ago, will help the author have a well-crafted manuscript.
As a ghostwriter, I have learned to respect an editor’s point of view and perspective on a manuscript. Over the years, I have found their tips and guidance helpful and valuable, strengthening my writing in the process. I consider editors valuable partners who help shape and refine my work. What a gift.
If you’re an editor who is confused about something the writer is trying to say, or if you don’t understand why a writer keeps mentioning something you think is unrelated, speak up! Ask them before making edits so they can explain their reasoning to you.
Similarly, if you’re a writer and feel strongly about an edit or change, or don’t understand why an editor keeps making a certain edit, don’t be afraid to ask them—it’s what they’re there for. When you communicate effectively, you may be surprised by how many problems can be solved by an easily resolved misunderstanding.
By Sherry L. Granader
Ghostwriter/Editor