Amy Einsohn, who passed away recently, is the author of The Copyeditor’s Handbook, a tome beloved by copy editors everywhere (note that we Canadians spell the profession using two words, not one). She had me hooked from the very beginning of the book: in the preface, she discusses coming across the word folderize and attempting to find a source to validate its usage. What copy editor hasn’t experienced this kind of thing? I was enthralled as she recounted the experience. (She couldn’t find an appropriate source, but she concluded that the word would soon move into general circulation.)
Three years ago, she wrote an article, Are Editors Born or Made?, that shows her wisdom and insight when it comes to choosing the profession of editing. She describes the characteristics that make a good editor:
- desire for perfection (tempered by an understanding that competing exigencies preclude perfection)
- behind-the-scenes player
- stamina (ability to edit well for hours on end)
- courage (confidence to introduce changes and make editorial decisions)
- tough hide (perseverance even when unappreciated)
I love and concur with this list, but what really caught my attention was her reference to the comment “I love writing” made by people claiming that this is the very thing that makes them good editors.
Not necessarily, writes Einsohn. Editors are capable of writing, and they write well, but some editors do very little writing—or none at all. She advises that if writing is what you want to do, then do it, and forget about being an editor.
I felt validated by this insight from such a venerated editor. See, I completely agree: although I enjoy writing, and I offer writing services, I’m first and foremost an editor. I have the characteristics that Einsohn lists. But more than being behind-the-scenes players, I think good editors value being of service. We want to help, and we want our clients to succeed.
And searching for citations of words like folderize? That would be evidence of another common editor characteristic: obsessiveness!