I think it's interesting how the editing process differs for reporters and columnists. I feel like editors look at a game preview and a weekly column with a different eye. When an editor looks at a reporter's game story, they are editing for the obvious spelling and grammar, but also they need to look at the structure and flow of the piece. They need to make sure the most pertinent information gets to the reader withou bias.
When it comes to editing for a column, they also need to look for the obvious punctuation and grammar, but with the columnist position comes a sort of trust that assumes the columnists know the writing process. Also, there's no worries about editorializing or showing bias, because that comes with the job. The editor looks for a type of flow, but the form of a column can be so diverse, it's really up to the editor to decide if the columnist needs to change.
I think it's important for writers to have a solid background of reporting before they jump into the columnist role. When I first started as a journalist, all I wanted to do was write a column full of my opinions, but looking back on it, it was really important for me to develop a foundation of reporting before I stepped up into a columnist role. Plus, personally, I love the reporting process. It is truly a one of a kind process. It takes you out of your comfort zone and it allows you to meet a lot of people you would not even think about saying anything to.
So an editor really has to adapt the editing process to the different writers at their newspaper. They need to know when to really take apart articles, and when to leave them in tact for the sake of creativity. It's not an easy thing to do, but it comes with job.
B
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Right on Bret! That is very similar to my mind set when I edit columns, yours included. Before we let just anyone be a columnist, we have to have some sort of confidence that the columnist knows what he or she is writing about, and for good reason.
ReplyDeleteFrom an editor's standpoint, there's more and less room for error as a columnist. Less room for error because you're sharing you opinion about something, and if you're doing that you better know your stuff to back up your arguments. Share your opinion when you're not fully versed in a said subject, and a columnist looks like an idiot. That is never a problem for writers. Even if they don't know much about what they're reporting, it's fine because they can't go wrong if they always report facts.
But there is more room for error from an editor's standpoint because I don't have to worry about my writer editorializing. I only have to make sure there's a common theme and spelling/facts/grammar is correct.
I think I'll join in the columnist convo as well. I agree with what Bret said -- you have to have a familiarity with reporting in order to have a column. Not only to give credibility to your writing, but to prove to your editors that you have an inkling about what your talking about.
ReplyDeleteI'd imagine, though, that editing for columns is easier than editing for sports. But it's probably harder to tell a columnist to drastically change their work because it's could be interpreted by the columnist as a critique of his/her opinion, even if it's not. I guess that goes with the territory of writing your opinions down, though!