I just did two rounds back to back of editing. Mary, my editor at Lyrical has pushed me as a writer in ways I didn’t know I could be pushed. I’ll never look at word the same 8-D.  I guess today, I’m going to talk about two topics.

For me the process of editing is much like the process of prescribed burning. Yes, you read correctly.

Here is a link if you’re not familiar with the term (Prescribed burning):

http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/nature/whp/prgrass/df03s41.en.html

Now go to this link to see what can come if prescribed burning is managed without loss of control:

http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/nature/whp/prgrass/df03s41.en.html#1

This list on prescribed burning below is directly from the environment Canada website. The editing list is my own.

It is important to know that burning can do the following: It is important to know that editing can do the following:
-Remove unpalatable dead plant matter-Enhance flowering and seed production

-Topkill shrubs and trees

-Create a seedbed

-Control and reduce undesirable, introduced grasses and forbs

-Provide browse at a height that grazers can reach

-Reduce fire hazard  

-Control insect pests

 

 -Remove dead words-Enhance word use and description

-Helps stop undesirables (was, that…)

-Creates great imagery to work from

-Control and reduce undesirables, (But, very…)

-Provided more wholesome nourishment for the readers mind

-Reduce the hazard of the entire book going up in flames of confusion

-Controls all those pesky warning words, telling,

 

This is how I see the similarities between this two activities.  Leave the prescribed burning to the professionals in forestry management. I do however encourage you to edit your writing.

Mary, my editor at Lyrical did a wonderful article on writing on the my publishers blog please check it out.

http://lyricalpress.blogspot.com/2009/03/writing-tips.html

Kiss,
Mason