Sometimes, I get wrapped up so completely in work-related (day job, that is) projects that by the time I sit down to edit, I find myself auditing instead. The substantial difference between them, in my head, is this: Editing requires finesse, attention to what comes before, after, and points in-between and knowing where the story is going. Knowing the highs and lows, keeping a close eye on the details of the story as a whole. Auditing is all hack-and-slash, purely technical when it comes to grammar, spelling and layout.
It does not serve the author that I'm working with nor myself to merely audit a piece...there's software for that. True, some errors will never be caught by a series of ones and zeros, but for the most, human review is not strictly necessary.
Getting myself into edit mode reminds me why I really am in love with the idea of being an editor: I am invited to shepherd someone's dream. That's a tall order, and one that I worry about being consistently equal to. I pride myself on being able to spot inconsistencies and errors - which makes me both a good editor and a good auditor. I also love having a well-crafted story, which mere auditing does not quite achieve. But I am aware of the difference, and how effective each skill set can be, given the circumstances under which I am working.
It matters, the difference between editing and auditing. It matters a great deal.
It does not serve the author that I'm working with nor myself to merely audit a piece...there's software for that. True, some errors will never be caught by a series of ones and zeros, but for the most, human review is not strictly necessary.
Getting myself into edit mode reminds me why I really am in love with the idea of being an editor: I am invited to shepherd someone's dream. That's a tall order, and one that I worry about being consistently equal to. I pride myself on being able to spot inconsistencies and errors - which makes me both a good editor and a good auditor. I also love having a well-crafted story, which mere auditing does not quite achieve. But I am aware of the difference, and how effective each skill set can be, given the circumstances under which I am working.
It matters, the difference between editing and auditing. It matters a great deal.
