Language is, well, uncertain. Any given sentence could probably be rewritten a dozen different ways yet still communicate the same message. So how do you know which way is best?

Well, when you come down to it, there probably isn’t a best way.

Now don’t get me wrong; some sentences are certainly stronger than others. And the best writers and editors use a number of techniques to make any individual sentence — or an entire manuscript — easier to read and understand. But honestly, most sentences communicate well enough most of the time.

So why do you need an editor?

You need an editor because the goal is not just communication — it’s clear and compelling communication. Sometimes you might even want a bit of elegance in your writing. After all, if your writing doesn’t somehow gratify the reader, you won’t long have an audience to write to.

You also need an editor for the sake of consistency, that subtle stability in a document that grounds the reader and enhances your credibility. Inconsistencies can be as harmless as slight spelling variations (is it copy editor or copyeditor? copy editing or copyediting?), or they can be as damaging as conflicting data sprinkled across 50 pages. Consistency is, in my experience, the most undervalued benefit a good copy editor brings to a manuscript.

Of course, reasonable people can disagree. While good writing has several objective measures, much of it is subjective. You may find I suggest edits that you disagree with, or perhaps I’ll offer advice that you ignore. That’s OK; if I feel strongly about a point, I may try to persuade you. But ultimately, your name goes on the book jacket or the report cover page, not mine.

In the end, my job is to help you express your ideas in a way that both you and your audience will appreciate.