Achieving total immersion in an evolving book is one of the editor’s essential goals in beginning each new stage of editing. By nature, immersion is a process that the editor engages in, to enter and live in the world of the book. That process and its goal of totality are… Read more   

There are two essential activities that occur as a book is developed and edited, and they become possible after the book’s fundamental concept is established: * Interconnecting is the consideration of everything in the book as it’s been written, with the ultimate goal of establishing all the new and unifying… Read more   

The author and editor are in harmony and at their most productive when they have a relationship of mutual respect, trust, confidence, dedication, and appreciation. Establishing and maintaining such a relationship is one of an editor’s ultimate goals because it maximizes the opportunities to assist in writing and contributing to… Read more   

At the start of each new stage of editing, editors expand their comprehension of the evolving book. They also understand more deeply their author’s creative capacity because of what they’ve achieved in the latest writing and revising. On the basis of that combined, greater comprehension of author and book, the… Read more   

Clarity is one of the most important concepts in writing and among the most defining aspects of the finest reading experience. 1) During the creative and editorial processes: The author and editor proceed in various ways as their work on the book continues. What is a constant principle is that… Read more   

Getting the first 25% right. What’s expressed in the title and continued in the first sentence is a classic principle of writing. It’s also another of the profound lessons I learned from Stephen Coonts during the years I was his editor at Simon & Schuster (see my article, Think… Read more   

“Flow” is an important aspect of writing, giving readers a sense of moving smoothly through ideas, experiences, and concepts in text. By definition and nature, good “flow” is achieved as author and editor eliminate all flaws that interfere with flow. Their ideal goal is to have the reader start the… Read more   

The emphatic two sentences of the title are a quote of what Stephen Coonts (New York Times bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction) said to me almost 20 years ago. I was his long-time editor at Simon & Schuster, but Steve taught me more about writing than whatever he may… Read more   

For the author, the ultimate creative goal is the best new book they can write, either on their own or working with an editor. When an author does have an editor, that editor knows that the ultimate editorial goal is providing the author with the most assistance in achieving their… Read more   

There is a unique nature and value to editorial discussions that makes them an integral and continuing activity throughout the creative/editorial process. The essential elements that give such discussions value are: Interactive immediacy. Because editor and author are talking directly to each other, each can immediately respond to what’s been… Read more