Edit first, write later

Writing benefits from great editing (obviously). But great editing looks different than you might think.
 
In our experience, the best editing doesn’t happen after the writing—it takes the form of an enthusiastic conversation throughout the writing process. 
 
Here’s what the initial stages of our editing process look like:
 
The editor starts the dialogue with a clear, thorough assignment. It documents everything the writer needs, including questions the piece needs to answer, what readers care about, any must-haves and more. Thinking through the assignment and articulating it—whether in a formal brief or an email—can identify trouble spots that need to be addressed before they become a problem.
 
The writer and editor discuss the assignment. Talking through it presents an opportunity for the editor to convey their vision for the piece and for the writer to clear up any questions or ambiguities. This conversation prevents inefficient missteps from irrelevant research to off-base interview questions.
 
Writer and editor check in at key steps. The editor might ask questions like “What did you get out of the interview?” and “What didn’t you get, and where can you try to get it?” Touching base regularly helps keep the writer moving in the right direction, saving time (and sometimes frustration) in the process.
 
Up-front editing takes time and effort—but in our experience it makes the writing process vastly more efficient. It positions the writer to create smart outlines and drafts that meet clients’ needs. And it fully engages the editor, so they’re better equipped to polish the draft when the time comes. One of the best parts: Working as a team is a lot more fun than working alone.
 
How do you help writers do their best work? We’d love to hear about it.