Are you working as a full-time editor or aspiring to become one? Or maybe you regularly edit your own work as a writer? No matter what your position or tasks may be, the ability to edit proficiently is an essential component of your professional toolkit.
How can we make sure that we maintain our editing skills sharp and up to date?
Practicing and collaborating are two key activities we want to emphasize.
Practice. Dedicate time to editing every day or multiple times a week. If you work as an editor, this will be part of your regular practice. If you work as a writer, try to edit as many different types of text as possible, from the articles or documents you write to the emails you craft and send daily. By editing different types of text, you’ll hone your ability to spot mistakes and enhance clarity, flow, and tone for different audiences. I typically write in the morning and edit later in the day. However, I try to give a final round of editing early the following day with a fresh pair of eyes. If possible, I print out the document to identify any typos I might have missed on screen!
Collaboration. Seek and establish collaborations with authors, peers, and mentors. If you work as a writer and typically edit your own work, you may even consider asking a friend or family member to read a final version. Having others edit your work helps you identify mistakes, gaps in text flow, and areas of improvement. Editing someone else’s work is essential to refine your own editing technique and your ability to provide constructive feedback on their writing. Working with my peers is my favorite type of collaboration because it allows everyone involved to learn and grow!
Consider joining professional associations or writing groups to access online forums and connect with your peers to develop collaborations. Many of these communities also provide online resources that focus on editing techniques and best practices, allowing you to continuously learn and stay up to date on the latest trends and innovations in the field.
Want to learn more about editing?
This blog post by the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) highlights the skills, tools, and resources for editing productivity: Edit Smart…Edit Fast! Tips For Editing Productivity (amwa.org).
AMWA also offers a Guide in Medical Editing.
Visit our blog for more posts on Writing and Editing.
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