tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post112744474389485169..comments2023-11-05T01:02:03.608-07:00Comments on Media by Sistrunk: Too Many Looks Spoil the ProseDeb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1127707626531048332005-09-25T21:07:00.000-07:002005-09-25T21:07:00.000-07:00Kayla, I have already visited your sites, and I en...Kayla, I have already visited your sites, and I enjoy my time there. You have a great style, and I encourage you to keep it.Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1127707004016807952005-09-25T20:56:00.000-07:002005-09-25T20:56:00.000-07:00Well, my writing style has changed - or improved -...Well, my writing style has changed - or improved - over the years, since the moment I started studying for the Journalism faculty and during the four years I spent there. I was mostly writing essays and was pretty good in dialogues (or so my Literature teacher said) but only after high-school I learned how to write about facts and how to get a good portrait done.<BR/><BR/>As for my style, I like comments on it as I like any other kind of feedback on what I write. Yet I would never change my style as it defines me.Alinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10715176905499669530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1127506850700440902005-09-23T13:20:00.000-07:002005-09-23T13:20:00.000-07:00"I was not looking for her feelings." That, dear R..."I was not looking for her feelings." <B>That</B>, dear Rose, is a sound bite.Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1127505152828011492005-09-23T12:52:00.000-07:002005-09-23T12:52:00.000-07:00Yeah, you are a hard one. But the results are goo...Yeah, you are a hard one. But the results are good. But there are some who just want to say that they found something even if that something they are adding is not a good fit. I had a staff person who took the red pen out on me, but I did not make the changes after consulting with several executives. Her changes were based on how she felt the wording should be written. I was not looking for her feelings.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13037132101026488589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1127491923196296892005-09-23T09:12:00.000-07:002005-09-23T09:12:00.000-07:00Shirazi, you make great points. Well put. Thank ...Shirazi, you make great points. Well put. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>Saad, you raise a very good and important question. First of all, you are right. There is always room for improvement. However, let me give you an example of how I handle editing a company newsletter. <BR/><BR/>Several departments contribute content, but I am ultimately responsible for the writing and editing - making sure that the publication is easy to read and the writing style is consistent. Once the writing and editing are completed, I circulate a draft of the newsletter to every department, asking them to read for <B>accuracy</B>. If there is something inaccurate in an article, this gives me an opportunity to fix it. <BR/><BR/>However, if someone alters a word or phrase "just because," I don't make that change unless it actually improves the article. Many times changes that people suggest contain poor grammar or awkward writing. <BR/><BR/>I am not a dictator, and I will gladly review all recommendations. That said, I tell my colleagues that not everything is a democracy! Editing by committee is TORTURE, and I am not into pain! <BR/><BR/>As an editor, my job is to make sure that the publication is written well, flows smoothly, and represents the organization at its best. At some point, I have to draw the line because people will continue to make changes as long as you continue to sending them revised drafts. It becomes a never-ending task and deadlines are missed. <BR/><BR/>I hope this answers your question, Saad. Also, I am honored to add your site to my links. Again, thank you for asking such a great question.<BR/><BR/>P.S. In a former job, my colleagues teasingly called me the "czar." Yes, they complained sometimes during the editing process, but they were always happy with the finished product.Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1127488752825721662005-09-23T08:19:00.000-07:002005-09-23T08:19:00.000-07:00But aren't we restricting ourselves from feedback ...But aren't we restricting ourselves from feedback which might be constructive by restricting the number of people for commenting. I mean surely not everyone will add something useful but there is always room for improvement.<BR/><BR/>PS: Thanks for linking me. I appreciate it a lot.SHAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11443657577646441440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1127456478191699452005-09-22T23:21:00.000-07:002005-09-22T23:21:00.000-07:00Here I have to write this. I have to. I wrote in U...Here I have to write this. I have to. <BR/><BR/>I wrote in Urdu (my first language) till 1997 (and I started with short stories – fiction). Urdu press does not pay for written work. A senior woman writer Naila Daud met me and asked to write in English (that starts in sixth year of education here). I hesitated because I did not know how to write smoothly flowing prose in English. She said, “what have you learnt in class six (sixth year of education when English learning starts).” Simple: “She is laughing, he is walking, Nasima is a girl, Ali is a boy,” was my reply. Naila said, “write what you see in these sentences.” I am trying to do that ever since. That defines my style. <BR/><BR/>That said, I think every one has own unique and distinctive style. I am not for comments on style. Even professional editors and proof readers should not change the style. Comments on substance are of course welcome. <BR/><BR/>Great post for every writer and would be writers. Cool image by the way ;-)S A J Shirazihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273513824756243968noreply@blogger.com