A cuurent thread on the message board at sportsjournalists.com is all about why copy editors suck when someone changes their copy.
Being a sports boy but also a testy copy editor I posted the following. If anyone has any changes or thoughts please let me know.<p>Do these things
Run spell check before you file, read your copy before you file, hit the assigned length, call when you file, call back a little later to see if the desk has any questions. This is all deadline.
For features, columns, etc. Run spell check, have another writer or copy editor read your copy before you file. Hit the assigned length.
On big projects do all those things but also have an editor from another desk go through your copy.
And finally ... (long rants to follow, you've been warned)
Most writers believe they are the reason people buy the paper. You aren't. Anyone can cover a beat with a fanatical following and the fanatics will read every word regardless of who is doing the writing. So please get over yourself.
Pretty good chance that you aren't a very good writer. Just about anything that has ever been published has gone through several layers of editing. Magazines and books have editing layers that are nearly double digits and most writers don't respect the editing process. Look at Bob Ryan, he has never said something so stupid in print to get suspended. Because he has editors. Editors are there to help and save your ass when you go brain dead.
Also if you are a very good writer, most times you will work at a top-notch paper/magazine or you will be on your latest book tour. Likely both. Occasionaly you'll see someone at a smaller paper but they are either starting out or their spouse has told them that if they want to stay married, they are staying in one spot to raise their kids.
And another thing, if you really are a great writer, by your paper's standards, you won't be working in sports and if you are, you are doing the heavy lifting on the investigative projects.
So next time you go looking for a fight with the desk, look at yourself first. If you aren't doing the basics, you are likely a shithead the desk hates and they want you to come over so they can tell you to shut the fuck up.
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