Developing an editorial eye can help you sort through the hazards of writing, publishing, and marketing. Plus, sometimes putting on the “editor” hat helps you be more brutal to your “writer” side.
I remember how much of a wake-up call it was when I started. I knew there was some article selection going on of course, but I did have a lingering "editing is about grammar and spelling" hangover from grade school.
Thank you, stewardship is the perfect word.
After a late lunch of crepes, we ducked into the Academy grounds to look over the harbor (the public one is under construction and taken over by a boat show). By the time we got back around to Annapolis Ice Cream, we were still stuffed and had a very tired 20 month old on our hands. Seriously considering hitting one of the two great ice cream spots a mile or so away in the Fed Hill neighborhood here in Bmore this week though!
I think most of us came out of school believing editing meant chasing commas around a page. Took me years to appreciate how much judgment goes into deciding what belongs on the page in the first place.
Soooo the ice cream was sacrificed for the greater good of a 20-month-old's mood. 😂 I can understand that.
Not so much mood as his “I am so sleepy but I will not sleep because I might miss something” attitude and accompanying semi-cranky-pants time. Hit the carseat and he was out before we left the parking garage.
Bryant, I thoroughly enjoyed this! You've managed to explain the importance of editing while simultaneously making me wonder whether my own editor needs a therapist! 😂📚
I've written more than 300 humorous stories about my wonderfully chaotic Michigan household, and I've discovered that writing and editing require two entirely different personalities.
The writer says, “THIS IS BRILLIANT! PEOPLE WILL BE LAUGHING SO HARD THEY'LL NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE!”
The editor says, “It's 400 words too long, the joke died three paragraphs ago, and your punchline needs life support!”
And there I sit, arguing with myself like a woman who has accidentally scheduled a family reunion inside her own skull!
Your point about serving readers rather than chasing numbers really struck me. I don't want people simply clicking on my stories. I want them laughing, forgetting their troubles for a few minutes, and coming back because I've given them something worth reading.
I also loved your reminder not to let AI polish away our personalities. If someone removes all my sarcasm, ridiculous observations, and perfectly timed family insults, they'll be left with a weather report written by a depressed accountant!
My engineer husband would love your emphasis on structure. My 82-year-old dad would insist he could edit everything better. And my 168-pound Great Dane, Franchesca, would probably eat the manuscript, saving everyone considerable time.
But here's my question, Bryant: When you're writing humor, how do you know whether a joke needs tightening or whether cutting it would remove the very personality that makes the story funny?
Because sometimes I suspect my editor wants to murder my darlings, bury the evidence, and then send me an invoice for professional services! 😂
Thank you for reminding us that great writing isn't just about what we want to say. It's about what our readers deserve to receive!
Thank you for the kind words, Donna. So I come at this from an entirely different POV than your site here on Substack (took a real quick look before the Saints game started).
I used to joke that "No one reads inform for fun." That was the name of the mag when I started (changed it 3 times after -- not my decision). When I'm writing, I'm thinking about sharing useful information. Any entertainment in there is secondary.
So that said, I don't think I've every "written humor." I think now and again I've written some funny shit, but that just happens. I entered the work world at the same time as instant messenger and email.
So I often write like I talk, this piece is a half-example (I did do some editing on this one). I've always been able to make people laugh, but I don't plan it. It's responsive -- someone says something, I say something; sometimes laughter ensues. When I'm writing, sometimes I'll think of something funny (I hope) to share as I do. Often I keep it, sometimes I delete it. So while I can be, sometimes, a funny motherfucker it's not anything I plan.
FWIW, I think you're in a different situation to me -- you want to be funny. Do people think you are? If so, you'll have more and more folks subscribe. I'll consciously cut sometimes things that are just jokes in my own head or things that assume prior knowledge.
The flip side is that you're a humor writer. The jokes in your head, inside jokes, and people along for the ride are the point. About the only thing I know to say is to keep doing what you're doing, figure out your style over time, and keep honing it to a fine edge. I love Wodehouse and the Jeeves/Worcester books. Skimmed one of your stories and reminded me of his writing. Some folks love it, others won't. Keep on keeping on and see what happens.
People get very generous with praise when they want something from you. 😂 Oh yeah!
I like that this essay treats publishing as stewardship.
You are choosing what gets through the door, what gets cut, what deserves attention, and what your readers should not have to wade through.
That is a lot more than fixing commas.
Did you eat enough ice cream?
Happy Monday, Bryant...
I remember how much of a wake-up call it was when I started. I knew there was some article selection going on of course, but I did have a lingering "editing is about grammar and spelling" hangover from grade school.
Thank you, stewardship is the perfect word.
After a late lunch of crepes, we ducked into the Academy grounds to look over the harbor (the public one is under construction and taken over by a boat show). By the time we got back around to Annapolis Ice Cream, we were still stuffed and had a very tired 20 month old on our hands. Seriously considering hitting one of the two great ice cream spots a mile or so away in the Fed Hill neighborhood here in Bmore this week though!
Happy Tuesday Bryant
I think most of us came out of school believing editing meant chasing commas around a page. Took me years to appreciate how much judgment goes into deciding what belongs on the page in the first place.
Soooo the ice cream was sacrificed for the greater good of a 20-month-old's mood. 😂 I can understand that.
Thank the heavens for Schoolhouse Rock!
Not so much mood as his “I am so sleepy but I will not sleep because I might miss something” attitude and accompanying semi-cranky-pants time. Hit the carseat and he was out before we left the parking garage.
And (burp) the crepes really were filling!
Enjoy your Tuesday!
thank you Bryant :)
And it is worthy of restacking, Bryant!
Bryant, I thoroughly enjoyed this! You've managed to explain the importance of editing while simultaneously making me wonder whether my own editor needs a therapist! 😂📚
I've written more than 300 humorous stories about my wonderfully chaotic Michigan household, and I've discovered that writing and editing require two entirely different personalities.
The writer says, “THIS IS BRILLIANT! PEOPLE WILL BE LAUGHING SO HARD THEY'LL NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE!”
The editor says, “It's 400 words too long, the joke died three paragraphs ago, and your punchline needs life support!”
And there I sit, arguing with myself like a woman who has accidentally scheduled a family reunion inside her own skull!
Your point about serving readers rather than chasing numbers really struck me. I don't want people simply clicking on my stories. I want them laughing, forgetting their troubles for a few minutes, and coming back because I've given them something worth reading.
I also loved your reminder not to let AI polish away our personalities. If someone removes all my sarcasm, ridiculous observations, and perfectly timed family insults, they'll be left with a weather report written by a depressed accountant!
My engineer husband would love your emphasis on structure. My 82-year-old dad would insist he could edit everything better. And my 168-pound Great Dane, Franchesca, would probably eat the manuscript, saving everyone considerable time.
But here's my question, Bryant: When you're writing humor, how do you know whether a joke needs tightening or whether cutting it would remove the very personality that makes the story funny?
Because sometimes I suspect my editor wants to murder my darlings, bury the evidence, and then send me an invoice for professional services! 😂
Thank you for reminding us that great writing isn't just about what we want to say. It's about what our readers deserve to receive!
Donna
Thank you for the kind words, Donna. So I come at this from an entirely different POV than your site here on Substack (took a real quick look before the Saints game started).
I used to joke that "No one reads inform for fun." That was the name of the mag when I started (changed it 3 times after -- not my decision). When I'm writing, I'm thinking about sharing useful information. Any entertainment in there is secondary.
So that said, I don't think I've every "written humor." I think now and again I've written some funny shit, but that just happens. I entered the work world at the same time as instant messenger and email.
So I often write like I talk, this piece is a half-example (I did do some editing on this one). I've always been able to make people laugh, but I don't plan it. It's responsive -- someone says something, I say something; sometimes laughter ensues. When I'm writing, sometimes I'll think of something funny (I hope) to share as I do. Often I keep it, sometimes I delete it. So while I can be, sometimes, a funny motherfucker it's not anything I plan.
FWIW, I think you're in a different situation to me -- you want to be funny. Do people think you are? If so, you'll have more and more folks subscribe. I'll consciously cut sometimes things that are just jokes in my own head or things that assume prior knowledge.
The flip side is that you're a humor writer. The jokes in your head, inside jokes, and people along for the ride are the point. About the only thing I know to say is to keep doing what you're doing, figure out your style over time, and keep honing it to a fine edge. I love Wodehouse and the Jeeves/Worcester books. Skimmed one of your stories and reminded me of his writing. Some folks love it, others won't. Keep on keeping on and see what happens.
Holy moly! You wrote a dissertation on how to be a better publisher that's going on my "read this weekly" list.
Bryant, this is brilliant. Needed. Welcomed.
Thank you!!
Aw, shucks, thank you, Donna. Happy you found it helpful!