I’m a writer/editor. Yes, you say, I know. It’s on your e-mail, it’s on your website, it’s on your blog.
But what I’m trying to say is I’m a writer first and an editor second. When I’m writing, I often feel as if I should pay the client for the fun I’m having. (and, no, I don’t intend to start doing that anytime soon.)
Editing, however, is a different chapter in the freelance life. Though I am proficient at it and have several long-time clients who come to me only for editing, it is just not my favorite thing. The know-it-all part of me loves telling clients rules like, “Spell out the numbers one through nine and use numerals for 10 up. Unless, of course, the number begins the sentence, in which case you spell it out, fill out the dictionary form in triplicate, file it with the grammar police no later than noon on Wednesday, and prick your thumb with blood no later than 24 hours after that.” Okay, I’m kidding about the last parts. But English grammar and punctuation is a murky cave, filled with many narrow tunnels and twisting paths and I enjoy guiding people through that.
Nonetheless, I don’t get the charge I get out of writing, the creative juice-up, the feeling that this is way too much fun.
And that brings me back to my point at long last: which is, every job has its share of chores. I’ve got more editing projects right now than I have writing projects. But I’ve never been one to turn down work, and, times being what they are, I’m even less inclined to do so now.
So, okay, I’m doing more of my second-favorite part of the job right now than my favorite. It is still a part of this job I have loved for 13 (yes, you use numerals for that) years. Can I say that again? Thirteen (catch that?) years. So, if I occasionally have to do editing, which is my second-favorite thing, or bookkeeping, which is very high on the list of things I hate, or filing, just above bookkeeping on the list, well, I still count as one of those people who whistles while she works.
My mother is a great job coach, and she’s always telling me, “No job is perfect.” To love what you do, though, well, that makes everything perfect. That’s what I wish for everyone reading this—work you love, even if you don’t love all of it equally.
The paradox of insular language
2 years ago
Ditto to all of that. I enjoy being a grammar/usage/style geek. I get all heart-fluttery when I have an excuse to consult my Chicago manual. But I still don't LOVE editing. It's work I enjoy, but it's definitely work. Writing doesn't feel like work (most of the time, anyway). I sometimes can't believe I'm one of those lucky people who actually loves what I do. Except for the paychecks, which at the moment are pretty nonexistent--book royalties are two years away and I'm still at the point where I'm writing for free just to get published on blogs and such. But that will come. I still feel lucky.
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