J. Huffman, Editrix
 
So while getting my morningly rounds of the internet finished, I see a whole slew of #speakloudly hashtags on Twitter (you can follow me there, I am @purplesmudge) that lead me to this:

http://madwomanintheforest.com/this-guy-thinks-speak-is-pornography/

I, admittedly, have issues with the idea of banning books for what someone else deems offensive content - being who I am, I dislike the idea of censorship in any form, and most especially when it's thinly veiled behind religion.  There are a few unpleasant sex scenes in the bible...shall we remove that from public schools, too?   I realize that statement is going to raise a few eyebrows.  Good.  I want someone to think about the intimation that the gentleman who originally wrote the op-ed piece is stating that removal of books from public consumption is one of his hobbies.  Because he's forcing his religious opinion upon other people.  Even people that might agree with him.  What differs in this is that everyone involved, at least right now, HAS THE CHOICE.  What he's pushing for is the removal of that choice because his puritanical sensibilities have been forced to confront an ugly truth.  What he calls pornographic I call rape.  The definition of pornography, to illustrate:


Definition of PORNOGRAPHY
1: the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement
2: material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement
The book in question, "Speak", depicts a young girl's struggle with telling the ugly truth about sexual assault.  What the op-ed author calls pornographic is the character's reliving of the rape - if he finds that exciting, he's got some more serious issues than can be covered today.   

This is dangerous in so many ways for us as a society.  There is an entire week devoted to banned books (hey, it ends on my birthday this year!  September 25 - October 2)...do you not find it sad that other people's sensibilities make it so that there needs to be a "week" at all?

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

You know I love to read.  What I love even more?  The freedom to choose to read whatever I want, whenever I want.  

This is not about religion or lack thereof.  This is not really about a book.  This is, ultimately, about someone believing that they are morally superior and are thusly entitled to take away a choice from someone.  From anyone.  I am very lucky in that my mom encouraged me to read - pretty much anything, from the time that I was able to read.  In looking over one of the many banned books lists on the internet, I am guessing that I had read most of what was listed by the time I graduated from high school, whether it was assigned or not.  (I personally find it hysterical that Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary is on one such list - really, you want to ban a DICTIONARY?)  But I had the choice, always.  


Don't like it?  Don't think it's appropriate?  Find it offensive or morally corrupt?  Easy:  don't read it.
 
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.
 
I'm very pleased to offer the following link to a free edition of the first published work I have had the pleasure of editing:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/5397

I am currently working on "if [tribe] = ", the third installation in Gary Ballard's "The Bridge Chronicles".  You may find more information, short stories and more by visiting Gary's blogspot:

http://amoralbridge.blogspot.com/

You may be sure that there will be more to come in the very near future!

    About Jenna:

    I love books.  Deeply, passionately, and above almost all else.  Let me help you by editing your book!  [email protected]