Get Me Rewrite!

I write for a couple of publications that require me to obtain approval of content from sources before publication. It’s not exactly why I went to journalism school. But I must admit such a review process does occasionally prevent some embarrassing mistakes from finding their way into print.

The overwhelming number of people I interview are fine with what I write. They may have a suggestion for a tweak or two, but they are appreciative of an opportunity to see the draft before it goes to press. While they may have worded some things differently, they realize this is my area of expertise. Once in a great while, however, along comes a critic who wants to change virtually every sentence — even their verbatim quotes I recorded on tape. They replace my proper grammar with their vernacular. They substitute incorrect usage for the Associated Press style I follow. They remove descriptive writing and insert dull prose. While I suppose a general insecurity or obsession to be in control is behind such behavior, it rarely improves the copy. One source so butchered an article recently that he took out everything remotely interesting and managed to make the article a real snoozer. I apologetically turned it in to the editor, who, unsurprisingly, said it didn’t meet the magazine’s required standards. As we deal with professionals in whatever their line of work — physicians, airline attendants, real estate agents, clergy — let’s allow them a wide berth. Although there are exceptions, give these employees some credit for knowing their business. Dealing with the public sometimes isn’t much fun.