The Sweet Sound of Successful Editing

At the beginning of this year, I came across an article called “How to Mark a Book” by Dr. Morgen J. Adler, which explores the importance of annotating books as one reads them. Personally, I don’t have one strong opinion about annotating. When I read for my classes, I’ll annotate or at least highlight parts I find significant. I never annotate or write in the books I read for pleasure. However, one point Adler makes provided me with two new perspectives: one regarding the benefits of annotating and one aimed at applying the strategies of editing in a seemingly-unrelated scenario.

Adler compares annotating a book to a musician/conductor making notes on their sheet music. I’ve played different instruments in a variety of ensembles throughout my life, so this idea absolutely made sense. I’d say my junior and senior years of high school were probably the two years that I marked up my music the most. I used to love writing things down on my pages, whether it was emphasizing dynamic markings, reminders to watch my director, or even translating Italian musical terminology. Writing on my music made me feel more connected with the piece, my instrument, and the rest of the ensemble. Although I’m still developing my annotating skills, Adler’s comparison allowed me to appreciate the art of annotating literature and music. His point certainly gave me a desire to not only annotate more, but annotate with awareness and passion.

            With Adler’s concept in mind, I started thinking about the relationship, or connection, between editing a document and musicians rehearsing a piece. For the editor, the final, published document will be ideally available to readers. For musicians, they will ultimately perform their piece at a concert for an audience. Both editors and musicians share the same goal: to produce something that is correct, accessible, organized, professional, and beneficial to their readers/audience members (just to name a few qualities of a successful production). Editors don’t review a document only one time; musicians don’t rehearse their music only one time. Each scenario requires practice, multiple readings, adjustments, and collaboration.

            Editors may edit alone, musicians may practice alone, but neither one works by themselves throughout the entire process. Editors may communicate with readers, writers, SMEs, document production specialists, and other editors. Musicians depend on a conductor, other musicians within an ensemble, the audience, and perhaps even a private teacher. If editors procrastinate, ignore errors or ambiguities, fail to communicate, or avoid necessary research, the document will most likely face a delay in production, or readers will receive a poorly executed, unprofessional document. Similarly, if musicians do not practice, listen to each other, or disregard the conductor’s advice, the piece will not be performed to its full potential. Each situation requires teamwork, dedication, attention, and skill to achieve its respective goals.

            While sayings exist such as “There is no such thing as a perfect performance/piece of writing,” people still have the ability to create the most effective works they can. I think one of the greatest feelings an editor can experience occurs when writers appreciate your advice and implement your suggestions. You can hear it in their voices, they way they demonstrate their confidence in their work and their excitement to move forward (face-to-face). Or, the tone in their writing to you expressing gratitude. As a musician, one of the most amazing feelings happens after a phenomenal performance. After the group finishes playing, you just know you gave them a fantastic experience. Adrenaline, pride, and euphoria hits you. The way the audience responds, the look of satisfaction on your director’s face, and the other musicians’ performances speak for everything.

            The skills, processes, teamwork, and professionalism found within technical editing are not limited to that field alone. No matter where we look, we discover that these aspects (and more) are applicable and relevant to nearly everything we undertake. By incorporating the ideals and standards set for technical editing, we will almost guarantee that we will create successful documents and beautiful music. Edit on! Play on!

Article:

Adler, Mortimer J. “How to Mark a Book.” The Saturday Review of Literature, 1941, http://chuma.cas.usf.edu/~pinsky/mark_a_book.htm. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.