This, to me, is part of the pact between writer and editor on big or small pieces of writing -- anything you deem worthy of more attention than a typical daily story gets. It could be the 300-word narratives we did on the 9/11 anniversary a couple years ago, or a full-blowout enterprise-length narrative.
So even though she's titled this 'story editing,' this is a two-way street. A reporter and editor cannot reach these heights without trusting each other and working together toward the same goals.
Here's Jacqui:
"Story editing:
Engages the idea and the writer, before it engages the copy.
Deals with the soul and structure of a story, before it deals with syntax and style.
Answers the question: What is this story about? And then serves that answer.
Happens before and throughout the reporting/writing process, not after.
Transforms the reporter into a storyteller.
Is a partnership of writer, publication and audience.
Uses all the (verbal, visual and multimedia) storytelling tools available.
Requires line-by-line journalistic discipline and rigor.
Honors the writer's voice.
Thinks always of the reader."
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