[Stylist] Becoming a book editor, Plan A or Plan B?

Jackie jackieleepoet at cox.net
Sun Jun 2 23:55:29 UTC 2019 

Should one only have a plan A for life?		Jacqueline Williams

This was an E-mail I received on my National Federation of the Blind
writer's list recently. It was submitted by a most wonderfully accomplished
artist and writer. She is now widely published on line, and has her third
book being published. This was her advice to a young blind man who wants to
be a book editor. He was discouraged by a few skilled writers, but this was
my friends advice. After some weeks of thought, I seem to believe otherwise.
Here are her words first.
"Vegas, I will give you the council that I gave to all of my university
students over the years.
Figure out what you love most. What do you do in your dreams?  What do you
think about day and night?
Those things are your passion - follow that path. Seek excellence in all you
do. Never settle for less than excellent Never have a Plan B for anything in
your life.
Set your course for Plan A, and stay focused and see it through.
People who have a Plan B always end up living a Plan B for their life.
Follow what is in your gut - for that is where your intuition and your
passion are located.
This is the advice I give anyone at any age.
There is nothing I have seen that is more sorrowful, than living a Plan B
for your life. 
Lynda

Lynda,
You have been an inspiration to me and I have benefited by all of your
shared thoughts and works on meeting difficult challenges and still staying
on track with your intent for each year, and your perseverance.
I must, however, take issue with your advice about never having a plan B.
Life happens. Tragedies happen. These things can suddenly make your gut
feelings, your  dreams, and your passions change if you must consider others
besides yourself.
Think of the military. When trying to get Bin Laden, there was a plan A, a
plan B, and even a plan C. 
Think of the aging process when the senses fade, Not just blindness and
hearing, but also the inability to keep your balance, and feel with numb
fingers and feet. The sense of taste and smell can disappear.
One must always have a plan B if they are to continue with some semblance of
their original dream.
Economically speaking, think of those who have altered or given up their own
dream to care for a family so they can eat, and have the basic necessities.
Or those who give their lives to care for a paraplegic. Or one who has been
in a tragic automobile accident and has undergone surgery with an error in
the anesthesia.
I am describing writers I have known that have had to give up their dream,
and they never had a plan B. 
An alternate plan could mean doing something else that could still bring
satisfaction, and endless benefits to others. If it requires a whole new
skill set, and another shining star to focus on, I think this is called
"Life."

Jacqueline Williams

Clarity is just questioning having eaten its fill.
     Jenny Xie


-----Original Message-----
From: Stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Linda Lambert
via Stylist
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 5:49 PM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: llambert at zoominternet.net
Subject: Re: [Stylist] Becoming a book editor

Vegas, I will give you the council that I gave to all of my university
students over the years.
Figure out what you love most. What do you do in your dreams?  What do you
think about day and night?
Those things are your passion - follow that path. Seek excellence in all you
do. Never settle for less than excellent Never have a Plan B for anything in
your life.
Set your course for Plan A, and stay focused and see it through.
People who have a Plan B always end up living a Plan B for their life.
Follow what is in your gut - for that is where your intuition and your
passion are located.
This is the advice I give anyone at any age.
There is nothing I have seen that is more sorrowful, than living a Plan B
for your life. 
Lynda

-----Original Message-----
From: Stylist <stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Vejas Vasiliauskas
via Stylist
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 6:59 PM
To: Writers' Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Vejas Vasiliauskas <alpineimagination at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Stylist] Becoming a book editor

Hi Bridgit and Chris,
Thank you both for taking the time to give such thorough responses. I will
keep your comments in mind.
Thanks,
Vejas

> On 20 May 2019, at 14:56, Chris Kuell via Stylist <stylist at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> Vejas,
> 
> I think Bridgit gave you an excellent answer, and I have little to 
> add. I've been editing for pay for 10 years now, and enjoy it 
> tremendously, but can't feed my family on what I make. And I spent 
> many years critiquing, reading, and editing before I even considered
asking anyone for money.
> 
> Good luck,
> 
> Chris
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit 
> Kuenning-Pollpeter via Stylist
> Sent: Monday, May 20, 2019 3:03 PM
> To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: Re: [Stylist] Becoming a book editor
> 
> Vejas,
> 
> If your goal is to become a book editor, it's totally doable, but it 
> will require a lot of time working towards it. One doesn't just become 
> an editor, whether for books or magazines. Typically, you need a 
> degree, usually in English and/or writing, and most have MFAs also, 
> but not always. Then, you usually need to do at least one internship 
> with
a publisher of some kind.
> After all this, you will still likely spend years as a copy editor 
> then move up to a junior editor before becoming a senior editor. It's 
> a tough, competitive field. But you are the determined, hard-working 
> kind of person who can do it if this is what you want.
> 
> Of course, you can find independent means of editing. Creating your 
> own editing business and doing it independently, but I don't know 
> anyone who does this and is able to make their living solely from 
> doing
it.
> 
> I know a lot of editors and have worked with a lot of editors. They 
> all say it's a difficult field to break into, especially these days, 
> and it can be cut-throat. It all depends on how much you want it, and 
> if you're willing to put the years of work in. Because, again, it's 
> not like other employment options where you immediately begin doing 
> that particular job. To be honest, you may even spend time doing 
> glorified receptionist work before getting to do any editing. Again, 
> all
depends on how much you want to do it.
> 
> The only exceptions I know of about people becoming editors for 
> companies quickly are those who have published a couple of books, and 
> most also teach at the collegiate level. They have a slightly easier 
> time becoming literary editors, but often, they are sought out, not 
> necessarily applying for a position.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stylist <stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Vejas 
> Vasiliauskas via Stylist
> Sent: Monday, May 20, 2019 1:25 PM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Vejas Vasiliauskas <alpineimagination at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Stylist] Becoming a book editor
> 
> Hi all,
> I have really enjoyed being on this list, and appreciated the feedback 
> I have been given over the years to improve my writing.
> I have one more year of college as an English major to go, and have 
> been exploring career options. My involvement with jury duty last year 
> prompted me to get a legal internship this summer, which starts next week.
> I am doing very well in school, but as I have continued with my 
> English classes, I've realized that, while I enjoy reading and love 
> investing time in the creative activities I have completed, I have 
> little interest in writing essays, and even less interest in research 
> papers. That would make becoming an English teacher rather difficult.
> I am considering the possibility of becoming an editor. The job 
> outlook looks OK, but I wanted to hear from others about the 
> advantages and drawbacks of editing for a living.
> Thank you all for your time.
> Sincerely,
> Vejas
> 
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