I’ve been having a lot of conversations about AI lately. In fact, I just went to lunch with a colleague who outlined how she’s been using AI tools to edit and polish her work.
To make this clear, I have no problem with using AI. I use editing tools like Grammarly to ensure that the things I send my clients are free of basic errors.
However, I think people who lean exclusively on AI for edits are missing out. These are a few core functions in-the-flesh editors can provide. I’ve listed them by editor skill level. (Hint: I consider myself one of the exceptional editors.)
All Editors Fix Basic Problems
Spelling problems, missing punctuation, misapplied words, and too-long paragraphs are the bread and butter of all editors. These basic problems can snag readers and block comprehension. All editors should be able to catch these issues and fix them.
These types of issues are very easy for AI programs to catch, too. A standard tool like Grammarly can apply basic rules and suggest corrections for common problems.
Solid writers may be able to get away with a simple AI editing check. However, those who stop here may never really become great writers. An editor’s help could be crucial.
Intermediate Editors Ask Leading Questions
Thorny writing problems are hard to untangle without asking questions. For example, did the writer mean to use the word entrepreneur when describing someone who works in the shipping department? Or is there a piece of this person’s story that hasn’t been told yet?
I often ask my writers multiple questions as I edit. I ask about their word choices, source names, missing citations, or potential omissions. Sometimes, these questions can take a piece in an entirely new direction. And sometimes, they highlight problems that could confront a possible reader. Solving them now could keep that reader a little more engaged.
Most AI tools simply don’t ask questions. They highlight issues and suggest corrections, but they rarely ask a writer to think about a problem and solve it.
I’m placing the ability to ask questions in the intermediate category because even inexperienced editors ask questions. It’s not always helpful, but it’s something only a human tends to do.
Great Editors Coach Writers
All writers have small tics or quirks that can hold them back from reaching their potential. For example, I’ve worked with writers who have an obsession with a specific word (like fossicking instead of rummaging). I’ve also worked with writers who spend too little time on research, which leads to more intense edits.
A great editor will highlight repeated issues with writing clients. The point isn’t to humiliate or nitpick, but it can lead to a smoother edit that takes less time in the future. Together, the writer and the editor become like a team.
An AI tool treats all writers in the same way, whether they’ve used it just once or a hundred times. While a writer could certainly learn something from accepting the same edit multiple times, it’s not the same as working with another human who remembers how you’ve written before and wants you to do better next time.
Exceptional Editors Build Up Writers
I’ve worked as a writer, and I know it’s not an easy gig. A hard edit can leave you feeling like you’re in the wrong career. Sometimes, those hard edits can come from AI.
Some writers I know have run Grammarly and felt crushed by the hundreds of suggestions they faced. The computer never softens the blow, so all of those edits can feel really harsh. The tools also come with a stamp of authenticity, so it’s hard to argue with them.
An exceptional editor provides edits with kindness.
I like to provide harsh edits as suggestions, and sometimes, I give writers an option or two for resolving them. For example, I might write something like this: “This sentence feels like it should be in two pieces. Maybe we could break this into two paragraphs? And perhaps there’s a way to build on the first sentence a bit and expand on the thought. I’d try something like this: Xxx.”
If my edits are particularly extensive, I like to schedule a conversation with my writer to go over them. I find that some writers hear edits in a mean voice when they read them alone. When I introduce the edits in my own voice, they’re a little easier to accept.
While I don’t think AI tools are written to be unkind, I don’t think they can be softened. Only a human can do that.
Editor for Hire
I hope I’ve convinced you that an editor is a crucial part of any writing team. If you’re looking for this type of help, I’m available. Whether you have a long-term project or a short-term gig, I want to hear about it. Contact me to start the conversation.
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