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Editing is a touchy subject, even in the best of circumstances.
One way to minimize the conflict is to use reference books. Then you can
say, "This would be more effective if the examples were easier to find. Try
a bulleted list. See DQTI, page 115."
We use "Developing Quality Technical Information" by Gretchen Hargis (which
I love because it has terrific before and after examples) and "Technical
Editing" by Judith A. Tarutz as our two main sources.
This helps the writers feel more empowered because they understand the rules
and it's not the editor's opinion versus theirs. Editors don't have to
explain as much and writers understand where the editor is coming from.
Everyone is much happier.
I'm sorry that Sean and Worzel had bad experiences with editors. However, I
do not think that they should place all editors in the same group. I was
hired to help the writers, and I do. Every writer needs an editor.
Unfortunately, from what I see on the Internet and in print, more writers
agree with Sean and Worzel than agree with me. Too bad, because there are a
lot of mistakes out there that could have been corrected by a good editor. I
hope you have better encounters with editors in the future so that you
realize we are not all monsters.
Regards,
Shannon
Shannon K. Luce
Technical Editor and Writer
GE Interlogix, Kalatel division
541-752-9171
Shannon -dot- Luce -at- GE-Interlogix -dot- com
"I'd rather have those who know, know I'm right than those who don't know
think I'm right."
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