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Here’s an excellent comment by Deb Gallardo, the kind that stimulates a bit more thought, on one aspect of my Test Project? What They’re Looking For… post, the part that mentions the need for pro freelance writers to be editable/able to work with editors.

Now looking at it from a writer’s POV (instead of an editor’s), I have to admit that I really do not like anyone messing with anything I write. Hate it, in fact.

But I’ve learned to appear to accept it willingly (as opposed to grudgingly, which is just as bad as not being editable) — but not for everything I write.

If I’m writing as a “hired gun” — articles, copywriting, ghostwriting, etc. — I figure if the client wants to screw up the work he’s paid for, he can knock himself out doing so. I just won’t add any real mucked up work to my portfolio, or simply provide the original piece in its place or along with it when showing it off to prospective clients. No big deal. Joy joy all around.

Having said that, I have to say that I really have never had to go this route. Never. Pros are pros. There are differences of opinion. There are differences in tastes and styles. But pros really tend to work it all out amicably and quickly and well. With a dinkhead editor, I’ll do the above, but it hasn’t happened yet.

That’s for my business writing. The creative stuff, however, now that’s a completely different story. There better be a good reason to change any of my words. That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to make a change, far from it, but the editor had better make an excellent case for one.

That’s the way I look at it anyway.

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