A Writer's Perspective
by Tiffany Stuart

Behind the Writer's Wheel
October 6, 2006

Recently I landed a freelance job—one article per month for three months.

Time to write.

Working with an editor felt like I was in driving school. While I gripped the wheel, my instructor directed the way, telling me when to stop or turn. It was nerve wracking, but I was there to learn.

After I submitted my first assignment, I waited before starting the second one. The editor replied a week later. In her email, she proposed a few changes to strengthen the article. Wanting to comply with all her suggestions, I reread her e-mail three times as I reworked my story. The editor replied, “Great work,” to my revision.

I passed my first driving lesson.

For my second article, I felt more comfortable driving because I knew what the editor wanted. However, after I sent my story in, I received an email saying another editor—a man—would be working with me. What will he think of my voice? Will his editing style be like the first editor’s?

It wasn’t.

Editor #2 sent me a list of seven things to change. Some of his comments conflicted with what the first editor said. Two editors—two unique editing styles. I felt like I was back in driving school all over again—nervous and insecure.

I was also discouraged. So I walked away from reworking the article for a few days. But when I rewrote it, I realized his critique wasn’t a setback. It was another learning opportunity.

I had the privilege of two trained professional teaching me. Both offered me tips and techniques. The first encouraged me to have fun and write creatively with strong verbs. The second one challenged me to read every single word and evaluate if each one was necessary.

For my third article, I applied both editors’ techniques. I submitted a strong article that needed only minor changes—thanks to my lessons behind the writer’s wheel.

Tiffany Stuart is a freelance writer who encourages others to draw closer to God. She has written for Discipleship Journal, Focus on the Family’s web site and also www.troubledwith.com. Connect with Tiffany at her blog www.teawithtiffany.blogspot.com.

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