Most of us have experienced the fear of putting our thoughts into words for others to read. It takes a certain bravery to expose yourself in this way, and I find many clients are deeply critical of their own writing. What’s ironic is that their fear and apprehension actually convey a profound respect for written communication and the writing process. Not everyone will go so far as to contract an editor to ensure they get as close to written perfection as possible. In fact, most wouldn’t even consider it. So, in a way, it’s admirable to fret over expressing yourself in words and to seek help with refining and polishing your work. Every editor appreciates respect for excellence in composition! Taken too far, however, this anxiety can result in expressive paralysis. Sometimes you have to ignore that nagging voice that tells you to keep quiet rather than express yourself imperfectly. What’s truly important is what you have to say—not how you say it. There are readers for every topic and every type of writing—concise, verbose, flowery, plain, punchy, enigmatic—it all has an audience. Don’t worry so much about the delivery that you suppress what it is you want to say…and what someone out there needs to know.
E is for Editing 