What's your secret to staying sharp as an editor?

I always consider any draft by first looking out for the four Ws and H (Why? Where? What? Who? and How?). Once this is satisfied, every other thing falls into place. Keep abreast of the latest writing trends that keep audiences glued, and depending on the publication one is editing for, a few of these styles may be incorporated. Overall, the best way to stay sharp is to be familiar with the past and present of a particular industry or ecosystem one is editing. Know it like your ABCs.

This strategy is especially helpful to find all of the writing conventions that may not be rigid stylistic rules, but are used to convey ideas more intentionally and clearly to your audience. Conveying your perspective clearly so that it can be understood by your reader is just as important as adhering to stylistic requirements.

What goes in, comes out. Reading is the strong foundation for good writing. Reading different genres of content and deep reading of content are very crucial

Staying sharp as an editor requires continuous learning, attention to detail, and valuable experience. Regularly engaging in professional development, staying updated with grammar and style guidelines, and learning from feedback and collaborations are essential. Objectivity, effective communication, and time management are key traits to provide constructive feedback efficiently. Embracing technology while reading widely to expand knowledge and passion for language contribute to excellence as an editor. The pursuit of improvement and dedication to helping writers enhance their work are fundamental for staying sharp in the editing profession.

Reading is a skill - the more you do it, the better you get. You also start to recognize patterns that will help you improve your editing practice. What types of sentences stick in the reader's brain? What makes paragraphs flow together effortlessly? There are many conventions that teach you these principles, but reading widely and often helps your brain automatically string thoughts together in the same way - making your job as an editor easier.

Compiling your own dictionary is also very helpful. The self made dictionary containing frequently encountered practical questions, and its answers. For example, names that are difficult to spell and write but are very often used; practical currency exchange rates for calculating things; certain idioms which meaning often change according to the context, etc. The contents of this self-made style dictionary will increase over time. While compiling it, we actually also internalize it. At a certain point we memorize most of the content and don't need to use it very often.

In my experience, it is extremely important to recognize the motives of editing. For example, if somebody edits for educative purposes, he or she may need to be clear, good and critic, which is not the case in commercial editing. We must not forget to question our own motives before editing.

I read a lot and follow trusted sources like Grammar Girl. I don't learn new stuff all the time, but reviewing rules (or diving into the "whys" behind those rules) is usually helpful. Examples are especially beneficial for comprehension and retention.

I've found that editing while sleep deprived, or when I am under immense stress is a futile endeavor. I always make mistakes and have to re-edit the next morning. Editing is hard work for your brain, and a tired brain will drop the ball.

Agree with being fully rested and as stress-free as possible. Same thing if you're sick -- even just a bit under the weather -- you've got to be extra careful. Rush jobs are not your friend!

Avoid multitasking: Edit one text at a time to avoid errors. Recognize the importance of delegation and consider taking on fewer editing tasks to ensure that each piece receives thorough and satisfactory editing.

If time allows, put the work away for a while and come back to review your editing work. That can help freshen up your perspectives and sensitivities, as you can "half forget" what you have worked on.

I recommend looking over a piece multiple times with a different directive in mind each time. It is useful to break up the more abstract edits like style and tone from a read through targeting clarity and grammar.