I Thought Editing Would Help Others - It Changed Me Too

Becoming an editor helped changed the way I see my own stories ... 

Last year, after being made redundant from my job of 4 years, I decided to finally give becoming an editor a real go.

It wasn't a new idea. At one point in my life, I'd seriously considered it. I gained experience editing for other writers I met in college (between finishing school and starting university), and later during my creative writing degrees. But I could never quite find a clear path into editing professionally (either as a freelancer or for a company). There were no obvious roles to apply for, no straightforward doorway in.

Then, after the redundancy, a small voice said: 'why not try freelancing now?' 

So, I did.

What I didn't expect was how much it would change me. 

Editing has allowed me connect deeply with other writers. Talking to them and learning about their stories has been immensely fun and endlessly interesting, but its also affected me in ways I didn't anticipate.

Hearing their passion for their stories has reignited my own.

Watching them embrace the vulnerabaility of sharing their stories with someone for critique has made me braver about being vulnerable with my own work.

Reading their hopeful early drafts has made me miss mine and has pushed me back into writing again.

And their commitment to doing the hard work of revision and publishing has inspired me more than I can put into words. One client has already published the story we worked on together. Another is publishing this month. Two more are preparig to publish later this year. The rest are powering through with their drafts. Seeing that moment, and seeing them taking themselves seriously, has encouraged me to do the same. 

Part of my ethos as an editor is positive editing. I believe the process doesn't have to feel crushing or confidence destroying. Helping writers approach editing with more clarity and self trust has, unexpectedly, helped me do the same. 

As I continue walking this path as both an editor and a writer, I'm excited to seeing how much each role affects will continue to shape the other. 

Keep your eyes peeled for more news here and on my Instagram!