All I really need to know about gardening
I learned from being an editor
by Anne Louise Mahoney
I am not a born gardener, but when I got a tiny front yard of my own, I was unable to ignore it. The weed-infested lawn cried out for help; the neglected grass asked to be put out of its misery. The few bedraggled perennials wished themselves miles away. And yet, I would think, looking up from the manuscript I was editing while sitting on the front porch, there is potential here.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that my experience as an editor could help me past my fear of gardening. I listed the tricks of the editing trade that have served me well for 25 years and adapted them for gardening. Emboldened by my newfound confidence, I tackled that yard – and won.
Gardening and editing – who knew they had so much in common?
1. Assemble the right tools. For editing, this means my computer, my dictionary and, for hard copy markup, my trusty red Pilot Hi-Tecpoint V5 Extra Fine pen. For gardening, I began with quality implements – spade, rake, pruning shears, stakes, and fork. The possibilities are endless. I started with the basics and added to them as I needed more specialized tools.
2. Get help from the experts. Messrs. Strunk and White, not to mention my many editor colleagues, have helped me through countless editorial dilemmas. For gardening questions, I ask my neighbours. They know what grows well in my area, and are often happy to share advice, cuttings, even manure! (See #5.) I learn everything I can from these next-door experts, then visit my local library or surf the Internet for more information on everything from soil acidity to pest control.
3. Spread out the tasks. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was an excellent text or a fabulous garden. I break down the jobs into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
4. Cut out the unnecessary stuff. The texts I work on usually have too many words – including lots that have no place being there. They remind me of the weeds in my garden. I dig up those pesky weeds and gaze in wonder at the 30-cm taproot attached to the cheerful yellow dandelion decorating the lawn. I feel virtuous and victorious with every weed pulled.
5. Work with what you have, but make it better. Replacing ordinary words and phrases with ones that are more precise, more interesting or more fun adds energy to a text. When it comes to a garden, you just can’t beat manure. A few bags of the good stuff and the whole place perks up! I spread it around and watch the magic begin.
6. Take a break when you’re tired. Whether I’m wrestling with unwieldy text or hauling bags of topsoil, it’s hard work. I go for a walk, stretch or have a chat with whoever is nearby so I can return to my work refreshed.
7. Move things around. It may look good on its own, but sometimes one chunk of text just isn’t in the right place. Same with my garden. That showy perennial may detract from the rest of the plants in that spot. I try moving it somewhere else to let it shine.
8. Throw in some colour and flair. In editing, I may add an inspiring quotation, insert someone’s personal story, or introduce some richer vocabulary. In my garden, it’s about injecting colour and variety. I take some risks and reap the rewards.
9. Stand back and take a fresh look. Before I do that final polish, I like to get some perspective on the text. I read it through as if I’ve never seen it before, then make any final adjustments. For my garden, I literally stand back – I look at it from across the street, from down the block, and from my upstairs window. Some flaw that I didn’t notice from up close always jumps out at me.
10. Celebrate a job well done. A well-edited manuscript, like a lovingly tended garden, is a delight. I take time to revel in success!
I am not a born gardener, but when I got a tiny front yard of my own, I was unable to ignore it. The weed-infested lawn cried out for help; the neglected grass asked to be put out of its misery. The few bedraggled perennials wished themselves miles away. And yet, I would think, looking up from the manuscript I was editing while sitting on the front porch, there is potential here.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that my experience as an editor could help me past my fear of gardening. I listed the tricks of the editing trade that have served me well for 25 years and adapted them for gardening. Emboldened by my newfound confidence, I tackled that yard – and won.
Gardening and editing – who knew they had so much in common?
1. Assemble the right tools. For editing, this means my computer, my dictionary and, for hard copy markup, my trusty red Pilot Hi-Tecpoint V5 Extra Fine pen. For gardening, I began with quality implements – spade, rake, pruning shears, stakes, and fork. The possibilities are endless. I started with the basics and added to them as I needed more specialized tools.
2. Get help from the experts. Messrs. Strunk and White, not to mention my many editor colleagues, have helped me through countless editorial dilemmas. For gardening questions, I ask my neighbours. They know what grows well in my area, and are often happy to share advice, cuttings, even manure! (See #5.) I learn everything I can from these next-door experts, then visit my local library or surf the Internet for more information on everything from soil acidity to pest control.
3. Spread out the tasks. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was an excellent text or a fabulous garden. I break down the jobs into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
4. Cut out the unnecessary stuff. The texts I work on usually have too many words – including lots that have no place being there. They remind me of the weeds in my garden. I dig up those pesky weeds and gaze in wonder at the 30-cm taproot attached to the cheerful yellow dandelion decorating the lawn. I feel virtuous and victorious with every weed pulled.
5. Work with what you have, but make it better. Replacing ordinary words and phrases with ones that are more precise, more interesting or more fun adds energy to a text. When it comes to a garden, you just can’t beat manure. A few bags of the good stuff and the whole place perks up! I spread it around and watch the magic begin.
6. Take a break when you’re tired. Whether I’m wrestling with unwieldy text or hauling bags of topsoil, it’s hard work. I go for a walk, stretch or have a chat with whoever is nearby so I can return to my work refreshed.
7. Move things around. It may look good on its own, but sometimes one chunk of text just isn’t in the right place. Same with my garden. That showy perennial may detract from the rest of the plants in that spot. I try moving it somewhere else to let it shine.
8. Throw in some colour and flair. In editing, I may add an inspiring quotation, insert someone’s personal story, or introduce some richer vocabulary. In my garden, it’s about injecting colour and variety. I take some risks and reap the rewards.
9. Stand back and take a fresh look. Before I do that final polish, I like to get some perspective on the text. I read it through as if I’ve never seen it before, then make any final adjustments. For my garden, I literally stand back – I look at it from across the street, from down the block, and from my upstairs window. Some flaw that I didn’t notice from up close always jumps out at me.
10. Celebrate a job well done. A well-edited manuscript, like a lovingly tended garden, is a delight. I take time to revel in success!