E035 Myths of Being a Freelance Editor

Key takeaway: Randy gives an overview of what an editor does, how editors work, and why a writer might benefit from the various services an editor can provide. Suggestions for budding authors and editors. 

Topics covered in this video: 

• A day in the life of an editor - Randy’s path to becoming an editor, and how he spends his time now
• Paid work, free work, people have multiple motives for wanting to work as editors (including supporting their writing careers)
• How does an amateur editor get additional skills? Developmental editors versus copy editors and line editors. 
• Story Grid development editing, Editor certification course - system & methodology of editing. What are the elements of a story that people expect to see?
• Picking clients - how to match editors with clients (and vice versa). Randy’s discovery call
• Editing vs. outlining vs. book coach vs. ghostwriting
• Why it’s so helpful to just finish a draft of your book
• Scenes are the basic building blocks of a book - can a person write a compelling scene: conflict, action, internal dilemmas, etc.
• Handling feedback - clients who listen, and those who aren’t ready
• How the editing business model works for Randy: charging by the word, by session, ghost writing per hour
• Hard to edit your own work - an independent look is necessary
• How Randy’s editing skills have allowed him to help with other types of writing: newsletters, applications, essays
• Genre expertise - editors can improve anything, but genre expertise is helpful

Resources in this video

The Story Grid, Sean Coyne

The Hero’s Journey, Joseph Cambell