My kids know that I write articles and that I have an editor. Sometimes they even think it’s cool. Lately my son, who’s 4, has been scribbling on pieces of paper and saying that he has to finish his article by Christmas. (I like the way he pushes deadlines.) Of course, editing doesn’t always go smoothly, especially when your editor is your 6-year-old sister. Here’s an exchange my husband IM’d me this afternoon:
Lela just picked up one of Finn’s pieces of paper and said, “Finn, I think we need some changes in your article.” Finn replied, “No we don’t! I don’t want you to tell me that, you idiot!” Then Lela hit him.
Note to my editor: I won’t call you an idiot. Promise.
Jim says
Yep, no doubt about it. Finn’s a real writer.
JHoward says
Yeah, he’s already grasped the essentials of the writer-editor dynamic.