Published September 27, 2024

People in my world talk a lot about unnecessary words. I understand why.

Being a notorious outlier and having a lighter editing touch than many, I often cringe at what I see as heavy-handed editing.

If you see your job as ensuring the story is told in the fewest words possible, I can see it. And there’s a place for that. But I think it’s a mistake to lean so heavily on cuts.

Language has flow, rhythm, music. Sometimes, what other people consider “padding” is part of the comfort to the reader of familiar phrasing. I don’t mind it the way many editors do. And what’s clear to most editors might not be to “the average reader,” whoever that is.

Knowing your audience is a big part of this.

Most days, I’d put my edits up against anyone’s. There’s more to it than word counts. News judgment, familiarity with the topic, meeting the reader where they are, all are crucial pieces.

And let’s face it, how many words really are “necessary,” when you get right down to it?

I get that many of my opinions about editing and writing aren’t the norm. I’m okay with that.

Image by mr Pliskin via iStock.