Level Up Your Writing by Working with a Content Editor
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Writing can be a deeply personal and solitary endeavor. Whether you're working on a novel, a memoir, long-form nonfiction, poetry, short stories, or a collection of essays, it's easy to get caught up in your own thoughts and lose perspective on what you're trying to accomplish. That's where a content editor comes in. Working with a professional content editor can help you see your writing from a fresh perspective, hone your voice and style, and get your work ready for publication or self-publishing. In this article, I’ll explore the benefits of working with a content editor, as well as discuss whether you’re ready for this type of rigorous feedback.
A Content Editor Is An Objective Eye
Perhaps the most significant benefit of working with a content editor is that you’ll get an objective eye on your work. Writing can be such a personal and emotional process that it's easy to become blind to the flaws, blind spots, and underdeveloped craft elements of your own writing. A content editor can help identify areas where you might be repeating yourself, getting too wordy, and over-indulging in one storytelling technique at the expense of other less-developed skills. They can also help you find the heart of your story or argument and help you develop it more fully. If you don’t know how your work is landing with an audience, or whether you’re getting your intentions across, a content editor can be a worthwhile investment.
A Content Editor Can Help You Hone Your Voice and Style
Another benefit of working with a content editor is that they can help you hone your voice and style. If you're unsure about your tone or if you're struggling to create a distinct voice for your writing, a content editor can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and provide suggestions for how to improve. Their critique and feedback on your writing can help you become more confident in your abilities, and in turn, make your work more polished and marketable.
A Content Editor’s Role in Getting Ready for Publication
If you're an aspiring author seeking publication or gearing up for self-publishing, working with a content editor can also make your work more market-ready. Content editors can help you identify if your writing is suitable for your target audience, if your book is well-structured and whether there are any plot holes or character development issues, and if you’re hitting the expectations of your chosen genre, among other things. They can also provide feedback on pacing, dialogue, and scene-work to make your writing stronger. You can then go on to a literary agent submission or independent publishing plan with more confidence.
When Not to Seek Professional Feedback
While working with a content editor can offer many benefits, you have to be ready for professional editorial feedback. If you're just starting out as a writer and feel that you need more time to develop your craft, working with a content editor might not be necessary at this early point in your writing journey. It's important to be at a stage in your writing where you're open to rigorous feedback and mature enough in your craft to take the advice and make necessary revisions. While the feedback of a content editor can be tough to take initially, it is an essential part of your development as a creative writer.
Working with a professional content editor can offer many benefits to aspiring writers. Whether you're seeking to self-publish or work with a traditional publisher, a content editor can help you see your writing more objectively, improve your voice and style, and hone the many craft elements needed to pull off a compelling narrative. However, it’s essential to remember that not everyone is ready to work at this professional level just yet. It's important to be mature enough in your craft and open to revision. By being receptive, taking content editor advice into consideration, and applying it, you'll become more confident in your writing abilities, and take your work to the next level.
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