Reflections on being edited
Happy last-Thursday-of-the-month, everyone. Welcome to the March 2024 edition of I love words.
(Yes, I missed February, but that’s because I was finishing the article I’m about to tell you about…)
Running is open to everyone (except for when it isn’t).
Earlier this month, I had an article published in the 39th issue of Like the Wind - a beautifully put together magazine that focusses on why we run (rather than how). The article discusses the lack of diversity in running coaching and looks at work being done to address that.
I’ve had a few pieces published in LtW over the years, but this one was different. My previous articles have been self-initiated submissions, but this one was working with a brief provided by Simon, the editor. As such, there was more to the work than just sharing my thoughts. It involved research, interviewing people, careful consideration of an important topic, and being edited.
I don’t think I’m alone among writers in not loving the idea of someone else editing my work. I don’t even like people looking over my shoulder when I’m working. It probably stems from not wanting people to judge my work negatively, but it’s also a personal fussiness about how I would like things to be. I’m more than happy to adhere to style guidelines, or match the tone of a publication, but much prefer to be the one making the edits to my text. I feel uncomfortable when someone else does it.
Or at least, I used to. Following this project, I’m now excited about being edited.
After submitting my draft article on coaching diversity, LtW’s co-editor, Imogen worked her magic, and I’m so grateful to her for doing so.
There were a couple of tweaks to my words, with some bits cut and others added in. The best change was Imogen’s re-formatting of the opening paragraph. I’d struggled to come up with a title, but Imogen noticed that the introduction could be presented as a prose poem, with the first line forming the title of the piece. It would be a longer title than was usual, but would have more impact.
With Imogen’s creativity, skill as an editor, and fresh eyes - viewing my words without the emotional attachment that I have for them - the finished article was polished to a higher shine than I could have managed on my own.
LtW is only published in print, so you’ll have to buy a copy (or pop round and read mine) to read the article… LINK
Things I liked (and think you might, too)
Depeche Mode, by Serhiy Zhadan
A classic from one of the most important contemporary Ukrainian writers: LINK
‘Mario Fraioli’s training principles for running’
Substitute ‘running’ for whatever it is you do: LINK
‘Blindboy Boatclub on the power of words,’ interview by Josh Jones
An interesting little interview from Huck magazine: LINK
‘Speaking to Patrick McCabe about writing, failure and creativity,’ by Blindboy Boatclub
And a longer interview worth listening to: LINK
‘Invisible Ink: at the CIA’s creative writing group,’ by Johannes Lichtman
This is fun: LINK
A thousand words
Brussels, December 2023, Kodak Ultramax 400 film.