Mysterious ways of the editor

“Of every four words I write, I strike out three.”

-- Nicolas Boileau (1636-1711),

French poet and critic

“What I have crossed out I didn’t like. What I haven’t crossed out

I’m dissatisfied with.”

-- Cecil B. de Mille (1881-1959)

American film director

I took the liberty of starting this column with two quotes because

I like them both and I can relate to them equally well. It also

interested me to read the great time span between the quotes.

Obviously, editing has pained the creative types since ages past.

I began writing this column with some sadness, because my editor

Jennifer Mahal is no longer my editor.

It was a bittersweet thing for me to read her farewell letter in

the paper last Friday. I’ve enjoyed working with Jennifer, and she

has given me many great tips and pointers about writing and editing.

I appreciate the times Jennifer called or e-mailed because of

something confusing in my column. She and I have worked together to

tighten many sentences.

Over the years, I have called Jennifer to ask if she thought I

communicated my point clearly, and she and I have made some

improvements over the phone. Jennifer’s cheerful availability has

meant a great deal to me.

I enjoy writing this column and I’m thankful for the different

great editors I’ve had over the years. I pray before and while

writing, and then I pray for those who do the editing. Occasionally,

some things came out differently than I intended, but that can happen

in the writing world.

Fortunately, editors have rescued me from some potential blunders.

One year I submitted a column about admiring my father and used the

word “gnarly” as a description. I asked around and found out that

“gnarly” was a positive word, but only to the younger generation. I

called my editor before the paper went to press and told her my

concern. She agreed and replaced it with the more fitting word

“awesome.”

Not only have I had editors at the newspaper, I have many

different family and friends help to edit. When I write about people,

I ask them to read what I wrote before submitting it to make sure it

communicates what he or she intended. I’m especially grateful for my

mother’s and our daughters’ wonderful and frequent editing help.

They’ve been incredible! I appreciate now why so many authors express

their gratitude to their editors in the forewords of their books.

Thank you to all my past editors, be they family, friends or other

professionals.

Thank you and farewell to you, Jennifer, and I do look forward to

staying in touch and watching all the things that God and the New

Year have in store for you. I’m anxious to hear how you like to

copywrite for a Web site.

Congratulations and welcome aboard to you, Paul Saitowitz. I’m

excited to be working with you now. Thank you for your recent phone

call and your helpful words.

Thank you finally to God, the greatest author and editor of all.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.