Notes from 46th International STC Conference
Cincinnati, Ohio, May 16-19, 1999

The Distinction Between Writers and Editors

Karen Bachmann
The Research Connection, Inc., TRC, Tampa, FL

The former Suncoast Chapter president spells out what goes with the writing hat, what goes with the editing hat, and where the two overlap.

Session Description: The distinction between the roles of writer and editor is often blurred, missing, ignored, or completely misunderstood. The two roles are often made one -- by our employers as well as ourselves. While both roles are founded on strong communication skills, the application of that knowledge often differs.

Handouts: The visual aids from Bachmann's presentation are available at the TRC Web site.

• In many companies, not much, if any, distinction is made between writers and editors.
• In fact, there are many clear differences between the two skills and the accompanying career paths.
• A survey of the audience showed that more than half those present wore both hats at their respective places of employment.
• Different job titles: technical writer, technical editor, technical writer/editor, technical communicator, documentation specialist, design/functional/knowledge transfer developer, senior staff analyst, information developer.
• "Writer/developer" is a good candidate name for doc groups, because it gloms onto some of the prestige typically accorded to software developers and denied to tech writers.
• Similarities between writers and editors ("umbrella skills")
   
• Language skills: ear for language, understanding of grammar
• User focus: audience analysis
• People skills
• Knowledge about the subject matter: proficiency in corporate standards, knowledge of the vocabulary of the industry
• Differences: writer focuses on:
   
• Content above presentation
• Interviewing skills
• Less interaction required
• Detailed knowledge of one document
• Multitasking
• Completeness
• Processing raw data into usable information
• Differences: editor focuses on:
   
• Presentation of content
• Diplomacy
• Project management
• Big pic on all related documents
• Focused on one task at a time
• Consistency
• Refining and polishing info
• Writer focuses on ownership and creation; he/she has the opportunity for research into a specific subject matter.
• Editor is more detached, more of a helper (placing a greater premium on people skills); he/she has much less chance for research into specific subject matter.
• There is a border area between writing and editing where the editor does heavy rewrite, works closely with an illiterate subject matter expert (SME) to help him/her develop the message, and sometimes becomes a virtual ghostwriter. Similarly, writers who are working for literate SMEs function more as editors than writers. And, of course, writers also have to switch hats and edit themselves.
• In journalism, marketing, and publishing, the editor usually bears ultimate responsibility for content. In industry, accountability usually resides with the developer or author/SME.
• Editors who become arrogant and territorial lose effectiveness with writers. It is important to protect the writer's style (and ego!) while still adding value to the document.
• The concept of editing and rewriting is an important tool in teaching effective writing. It's important to be able to detach oneself from one's writing and edit dispassionately. As Hemingway said, you have to be able to "kill your babies."
• Book reference: Edit Yourself, by Bruce Ross-Larson.
• Writer, not editor:
   
• Organization
• Good language skills
• People skills = investigation
• Knowledge of audience
• Editor, not writer:
   
• People skills = diplomacy
• Great language skills, especially grammar and mechanics
• Detail-oriented
• Focus on the big picture... consistency across documents, etc.
• Developing other roles
   
• Identify your primary and secondary roles when it comes to writing and editing
• Learn ways to promote your strengths, for greater job satisfaction
• Develop your weaknesses